The Douglas DC-3
The DC-3, affectionately referred to as the "Gooney Bird", probably did more to establish air transport as a routine means of travel than any other airliner. The DC-3 was requested by American Airlines to compete with TWA, which was using DC-2's. Because American's route was longer and thus it felt it needed a sleeper plane, it was forced to operate Curtiss Condor biplanes since the DC-2's fuselage was too narrow for sleeping berths. Douglas was hesitant to begin a new airliner, since the DC-2 was proving very successful. American insisted, however, and Douglas did not want the business to go to a competitor. Thus he widened and lengthened the fuselage of the DC-2, and the DC-3 was born.
American, United, Eastern, TWA, and KLM were early adopters of the DC-3, but eventually virtually every airline had DC-3's. The armed forces of many countries also had DC-3's, known as the C-47, C-53, and R4D in this country. Douglas built a total of 10,655 DC-3's, and another 2500 were built under licence in the Soviet Union and Japan. Many DC-3's are still in service, and several have been restored to airline colors and are on the airshow circuit.
MAAM-Sim Douglas DC-3 Package. This package for FS2002/FS2004/FSX has become the propliner package that all other such packages are measured against. This donationware package (US$30 plus $4.95 shipping in 2009) has a wonderful assortment of planes, panels, sounds, extra addons (on the CD and downloadable), and an amazing number of free repaints and addons. In addition to the two airline liveries (UAL and BEA), the package includes a total of 16 different models - DC-3s, C-47s, R4Ds, Dakotas, and XC-47 amphibians, plus a bonus Reading KRDG scenery. Wow! And your donation will help support the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM). Their collection includes the R4D used as the basis for this simulation, as well as a Martin 404 and a Vickers Viscount!
FS2002/FS2004/FSX United Air Lines DC-3. This is one of two
airline liveries included in the base MAAM-Sim package. This is the original
UAL livery, after United decided that the DC-3 was so much better that they
dumped their relatively new Boeing 247's and bought DC-3's. Last updated on
12/14/09.
FS2002/FS2004/FSX United Air Lines DC-3. This is one of dozens
of repaints available for the MAAM-Sim DC-3, painted by Tim Scharnhop. This
is the livery that United's DC-3's flew after WWII, until the delivery of the
CV-340's put them out to pasture. Thanks! Requires the MAAM-Sim
Douglas DC-3 Package. Last updated on 12/14/09.
FS2002/FS2004/FSX American Airlines DC-3. Another
repaint in the colors of the "Flagship Knoxville", currently on display at the
AA museum near DFW. This one was painted by Chuck Lawsen. I think it looks
great in the classic original colors - thanks! Requires the MAAM-Sim
Douglas DC-3 Package. Last updated on 12/14/09. FS98
version by Andre Kemner. Last updated on 8/28/99.
FS2002/FS2004/FSX TWA DC-3. This repaint is by Tim Scharnhop,
and he did a great job. These are the original colors of TWA's DC-3's, which
started the Douglas revolution with the DC-1. Thanks! Requires the MAAM-Sim
Douglas DC-3 Package. Last updated on 12/14/09.
FS2002/FS2004/FSX Pan American DC-3. Pan American also
used DC-3's, and this is the white top version used in the 1950's. Painted by
Tim Scharnhop, these DC-3's opened up much of the interior of South America
and other remote locations around the globe. Requires the MAAM-Sim
Douglas DC-3 Package. Last updated on 12/14/09. Bare
metal version. Last updated on 12/14/09.
FS2002/FS2004/FSX Western DC-3. One of the last major
airlines to operate DC-3's in California was Western, who had them flying well
into the 1950's. This one was painted by Wayne Tudor, which has painted a lot
of our propliners. Thanks! Requires the MAAM-Sim
Douglas DC-3 Package. Last updated on 12/14/09.
FS2002/FS2004/FSX Bonanza Air Lines DC-3. I used
to see these planes land at Santa Ana Municipal airport (now John Wayne/Orange
County) when I was a kid. Bonanza was a regional airline that served Southern
California, Arizona, and Nevada. It was eventually merged (along with
Pacific and West Coast) into Air West, then into Republic, and finally into
Northwest. This one was painted by Tim Trivett. Requires the MAAM-Sim
Douglas DC-3 Package. Last updated on 12/14/09. FS5
version by Tom Gibson. Last modified on 3/20/96.
FS2000/FS98
Continental Airlines DC-3. After this DC-3 visited the Classic Airliners
home port of San Diego, I knew I had to paint this plane. Continental
uses this '3 around it's system for advertising and special events. It's
a close copy of the aircraft that put Continental in the big time - the legendary
DC-3. Last updated on 10/8/00.
FS98 American Airlines DST.
Harry Follas has painted up a Douglas Sleeper Transport, the initial reason
why American had the DC-3 developed. The DC-2 was too narrow for the sleeper
berths, and thus Douglas widened the fuselage to create the DST, but when used
as a day plane it became the famous DC-3. Thanks, Harry! Last updated
on 4/24/99.
FS98 Pacific Southwest Air Lines DC-3. This
is the other PSA DC-3, I received, from the webmaster of the PSA
History Page, Kevin Trinkle. He painted his DC-3 based on old photos,
as well as the recent DC-3. This is a passenger-only DC-3, and has the
bright red and white colors that became their standard scheme for many years.
Thanks, Kevin! Last update on 10/8/00.
FS5 Pacific Air Lines
DC-3. This plane was repainted from the Paradise DC-3 included in
BAO's Flight Shop. It includes an opening door, and now I have given it
flight dynamics by Mike Vidal. It now flies and taxis like a real DC-3!
Pacific Air Lines was a regional airline which was originally known as
Southwest Airways (Skyliners, pg 88). PAL flew throughout Central California,
and was a common sight at Sacramento Municipal airport (now Sacramento Executive)
when I was a kid in the mid- to late-sixties. However, by then I usually
saw F-27's, not the classic DC-3. They also owned Martin 404's (Skyliners,
pg. 98). Last modified on 3/20/96.