Douglas DC-2 and DC-3 History

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December 17, 2005 was the 70th Anniversary of the first flight of the Douglas DC-3 at the Santa Monica Airport. Here's a collection of photos of DC-2 and DC-3 variants spanning nearly half that period of time.

Army C-47 MASDC, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, February 11, 1972 Army C-47 in storage at the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on Febraury 11, 1972.

Conroy Turbo-Three, Santa Barbara, April 12, 1972 Conroy Turbo-Three, N4700C at Santa Barbara on April 12, 1972. The Douglas construction number of the Turbo-Three was 4903. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-53, 41-20133. Conroy Aircraft acquired it in January 1968.

It was equipped with a pair of 1,600 shaft horsepower Rolls Royce Mk. 510 turboprops from a crashed United Airlines Viscount. The cruise speed of the Turbo-Three was increased from 170 miles per hour to 215 milse per hour. The Turbo-Three made its first flight with the new powerplants on May 13, 1969. It appeared at the Paris Airshow later that month.

AC-47A, Luke Air Froce Base, April 19, 1972 AC-47A on static display at Luke Air Force Base on April 19, 1972.

C-47B, 43-49336, Chanute Air Force Base, August 20, 1972 VC-47B, 43-49336 on display at Chanute Air Force Base on August 20, 1972. Its Douglas construction number is 26597.

FAA DC-3, N40, Oakland International Airport, August 6, 1973 FAA DC-3, N40 at Oakland International Airport on August 6, 1973. Its Douglas construction number is 25824. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as 43-48563, then transferred to the Navy as R4D-6, BuNo 17278.

Unidentified DC-3, Oakland International Airport, August 6, 1973 Unidentified DC-3 at Oakland International Airport on August 6, 1973.

DC-3, N100ZZ, Oakland International Airport, August 6, 1973 DC-3, N100ZZ at Oakland International Airport on August 6, 1973. It was formerly operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force as 12947. Its Douglas construction number is 25485. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-30, 43-48224. It is currently registered to Michael Hogan of Middletown, Ohio as N982Z.

Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826, Pima County Air Museum, March 31, 1974 Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826 on display at the Pima County Air Museum on March 31, 1974. Its Douglas construction number is 26924. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B-20, 43-49663 and then transferred to the Navy as R4D-6, BuNo 50826. It was converted to an R4D-8, the Navy equivalent of the Super DC-3. The Super DC-3 had larger wings and tail surfaces than the DC-3, and its main landing gear were fully enclosed. In 1962 it was redesignated C-117D.

Bede Corporation DC-3, Falcon Field, May 4, 1974 Bede Corporation DC-3 at Falcon Field near Mesa, Arizona on May 4, 1974.

Conroy Super-Turbo-Three, N156WC, Santa Barbara Airport, June 12, 1974 The Conroy Super-Turbo-Three, N156WC at the Santa Barbara Airport on June 12, 1974. Its Douglas construction number is 43193. Although very few Super DC-3s had been purchased by the airlines, the Navy and Marine Corps were retiring several R4D-8s in the early 1970s. Note the Viscount engine donor parked at the left.

Unidentified C-117 (R4D-8) used for a test installation of the Dart turboprop engine.

PCA DC-3, N50CE, San Francisco International Airport, August 6, 1974 PCA DC-3, N50CE at San Francisco International Airport on August 6, 1974. Its Douglas construction number is 25409. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-30, 43-48148. It was later registered as N104CA and sold to the el Salvador Air Force. It was converted to a Turbo DC-3 and registeres FAS-117. On July 23, 2004 it suffered a hydraulic failure, departed the runway at El Jaguey and its landing gear collpsed. All aboard survived the accident.

PCA DC-3, N50CE, San Francisco International Airport, August 6, 1974 PCA DC-3, N50CE at San Francisco International Airport on August 6, 1974.

Air Charter West DC-3, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, December 7, 1974 Air Charter West DC-3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on December 7, 1974 was formerly Royal Canadian Air Force 12972.

Army Golden Knights parachute demonstration team R4D-6, BuNo 17276, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, March 16, 1975 Former U.S. Navy R4D-6, BuNo 17276 was transferred to the Army Golden Knights parachute demonstration team. It is seen here at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on March 16, 1975. Its Douglas construction number is 25779. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-1, 43-48518. It was subsequently registered as N48159, but its registration was revoked due to "enforcement". It is reported that it was recently sold.

Navy R4D, MASDC, April 27, 1975 Unidentified U.S. Navy R4D at MASDC on April 27, 1975.

Conroy Super-Turbo-Three, N156WC, Mojave Airport, June 20, 1975 The Conroy Super-Turbo-Three, N156WC at the Mojave Airport on June 20, 1975.

NASA C-47H, N817NA, Edwards Air Force Base, November 13, 1977 NASA C-47H, N817NA at Edwards Air Force Base on November 13, 1977. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-5, 42-92482 and then transferred to the Navy as R4D-5 BuNo 17136. Its Douglas construction number is 12287. It was registered N817NA on June 23, 1969.

NASA C-47H, N817NA, Edwards Air Force Base, October 28, 1979 NASA C-47H, N817NA at Edwards Air Force Base on October 28, 1979.

C-47, 41-7723 on display at the Pima County Air Museum on December 18, 1979. It was formerly displayed at the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Its Douglas construction number is 4201.

Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826, display at the Pima County Air Museum, December 18, 1979 Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826 on display at the Pima County Air Museum on December 18, 1979.

U.S. Department of Agriculture C-47 17252N, Beale Air Force Base, May 31, 1980 U.S. Department of Agriculture C-47 17252N at Beale Air Force Base on May 31, 1980. It distributed flies that had been sterilized by radiation.

Fuselage of DC3, N982Z, el Mirage Airport, November 26, 1980 Fuselage of DC3, N982Z at el Mirage Airport on November 26, 1980 was formerly registered N100ZZ. It was formerly operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force as 12947. Its Douglas construction number is 25485.

NASA C-47H, N817NA at Edwards Air Force Base on September 20, 1981.

Unidentified DC-3, Camarillo Airport, December 7, 1981 Unidentified DC-3 at Camarillo Airport on December 7, 1981.

Specialized Aircraft Company Tri-Turbo-Three, Camarillo Airport, December 7, 1981 Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three, N23SA at the Camarillo Airport on December 7, 1981. The original Turbo-Three airframe was converted by John Conroy's Specialized Aircraft Company into the Tri-Turbo-Three. It was equipped with three 1,174-horsepower, Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprops driving five-bladed propellers. Its registration was changed to N23SA. The cruise speed of the Tri-Turbo-Three was increased to 230 miles per hour. The nose engine could be shut down to increase its range at a reduced cruise speed of 180 miles per hour. It made its first flight with three engines on November 2, 1977 and appeared at the 1978 Farnborough Airshow.

Aero Service DC-3, N5000E, Santa Barbara Airport, October 9, 1982 Aero Service DC-3, N5000E at the Santa Barbara Airport on October 9, 1982. Its Douglas construction number is 20475. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-90, 43-16009. It was subsequently exported from the United States to South Africa as ZS-LVR.

NASA C-47H, N817NA, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, January  6, 1983 NASA C-47H, N817NA in the hangar at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base on January 6, 1983.

C-47Bs, 45-0894 (c/n 16897),  43-16156 (c/n 20622), and 43-49786 (c/n 27047), MASDC, December 19, 1984 C-47Bs, 45-0894 (c/n 16897), 43-16156 (c/n 20622), and 43-49786 (c/n 27047) at MASDC on December 19, 1984. 43-49786 was later registered as N376AS. It was exported and flew as ZS-OBU, 5Y-BNK, ZS-OBU, N376AS, and ZS-OBU. It has been converted with Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbo-prop engines and, as of 2007, it operates in Puerto Rico. 45-0894 was sighted in a storage yard near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in 2000.

DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus, Santa Barbara Airport, July 1985 DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus at the Santa Barbara Airport in July 1985. Its Douglas construction number is 34202. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B-45, 45-0940 and later converted to a VC-47D. It is currently registered to Catalina Flying Boats Incorporated of Long Beach, CA.

DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus, Santa Barbara Airport, July 1985 DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus at the Santa Barbara Airport in July 1985.

DC-3, N25CE Puff, Santa Barbara Airport, October 1985 DC-3, N25CE Puff taxies past Goodyear Blimp, N4A Columbia at the Santa Barbara Airport in October 1985.

DC-3, N25CE Puff, Santa Barbara Airport, October 1985 DC-3, N25CE Puff at the Santa Barbara Airport in October 1985. Its Douglas construction number is 12476. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-10, 42-92652. N25CE was subsequently exported to Venezuela and registered YV-761C. On December 17, 1994, it clipped trees on a hillside while on approach to Cerro Aicha and crashed. Seven of nine aboard were killed in the crash.

Link to the Aviation Safety Network page about the crash of YV-761C.

DC-3, N25CE Puff, Santa Barbara Airport, October 1985 DC-3, N25CE Puff at the Santa Barbara Airport in October 1985.

DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus, Santa Barbara Airport, October 16 1985 DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus at the Santa Barbara Airport on October 16 1985.

DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus, Santa Barbara Airport, October 16 1985 DC-3C, N403JB Pegasus at the Santa Barbara Airport on October 16 1985.

DC-3, N760 Spirit of Seventy Six, Los Angeles Exposition Park, November 28, 1986 DC-3, N760 Spirit of Seventy Six at Los Angeles Exposition Park on November 28, 1986. Its Douglas construction number is 3269. It was delivered to TWA as NC1944. Union Oil Company bought it in 1956 and registered it as N760. It is now at the Western Museum of Flight at the Hawthorne Airport.

DC-2 NC1934D, Chino Airport, October 18, 1987 Douglas Historical Foundation DC-2-118B NC1934D at the Chino Airport on October 18, 1987. Its Douglas construction number is 1368. It was delivered to Pan American Airways as NC14296 on March 16, 1935. It was later operated in Mexico as VA-BJL and in Guatemala as LG-ACA and TG-ACA. It returned to the United States civil registry as N4867V. It is now in the collection of the Seattle Museum of Flight, although it may still be at the Long Beach Airport.

DC-2 NC1934D, Chino Airport, October 18, 1987 DC-2 NC1934D at the Chino Airport on October 18, 1987.

DC-2 NC1934D, Chino Airport, October 18, 1987 DC-2 NC1934D at the Chino Airport on October 18, 1987.

Former FAA DC-3 N58, Chino Airport, October 18, 1987 Former FAA DC-3 N58 at the Chino Airport on October 18, 1987. Its Douglas construction number is 9486. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-30, 42-23624 and then trasnsferred to the Navy as R4D-6, BuNo 12429. Subsequently it was converted to a Turbo DC-3 and registered N78125.

Former FAA DC-3 N58 at the Chino Airport on October 18, 1987.

Naval Arctic Research Laboratory R4D-8L, N31310, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, April 16, 1988 Naval Arctic Research Laboratory R4D-8L, N31310 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake on April 16, 1988.

Naval Arctic Research Laboratory R4D-8L, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, April 16, 1988 Naval Arctic Research Laboratory R4D-8L at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake on April 16, 1988.

DC-2-118B NC1934D, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, April 16, 1988 Douglas Historical Foundation DC-2-118B NC1934D at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake on April 16, 1988.

Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 10, 1988 Salair DC-3C, N3FY at the Santa Barbara Airport on May 10, 1988. Its Douglas construction number is 20562. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-90, 43-16096. It crashed in thick fog and rain in mountainous terrain near Quetzaltenango Airport, Guatemala on November 1, 1998. 11 of the 18 on board were killed.

Link to the Aviation Safety Network page about the crash of N3FY.

Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 10, 1988 Salair DC-3C, N3FY at the Santa Barbara Airport on May 10, 1988.

FAA DC-3C, N34, Brown Field, May 22, 1988 FAA DC-3C, N34 at Brown Field near San Diego on May 22, 1988. Its Douglas construction number is 33359. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as TC-47B-35, 44-77027 and then transferred to the Navy as R4D-7, BuNo 99856.

Link to the DC-3/Dakota Historical Society Page about N34.

FAA DC-3C, N34, Brown Field, May 22, 1988 FAA DC-3C, N34 at Brown Field near San Diego on May 22, 1988.

Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 23, 1988 Salair DC-3C, N3FY takes off from the Santa Barbara Airport on May 23, 1988.

Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 24, 1988 Salair DC-3C, N3FY takes off from the Santa Barbara Airport on May 24, 1988.

Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 25, 1988 Salair DC-3C, N3FY takes off from the Santa Barbara Airport on May 25, 1988.

Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 26, 1988 Salair DC-3C, N3FY is loaded with Fedex packages at the Santa Barbara Airport on May 26, 1988.

DC-3C, N541GA, Santa Barbara Airport, March 1989 DC-3C, N541GA at the Santa Barbara Airport in March 1989. Its Douglas construction number is 34370. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B, 45-1100. Clay Lacy later purchased it and registered it as N814CL.

DC-2-118B NC1934D, Marine Corp Air Station el Toro, April 29, 1989 Douglas Historical Foundation DC-2-118B NC1934D in TWA livery at Marine Corp Air Station el Toro on April 29, 1989.

Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50835, Marine Corps Air Station el Toro, April 29, 1989 Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50835 at Marine Corps Air Station el Toro on April 29, 1989. Its Douglas construction number is 26998. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B-20, 43-49737, then transferred to the Navy as R4D-6, 50835. It was converted to R4D-8 and later redesignated C-117D in 1962.

C-53B, Frankfurt-Main Airport, June 21, 1989 C-53B on the roof of the Frankfurt-Main Airport on June 21, 1989 is wearing the fictitious registration N569R. Its Douglas construction number is 4828. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as 44-20058 on November 3, 1941. It has been restored in Swiss Air colors and is displayed in Munich.

Swiss Air DC-3, HB-IRN, Swiss Transportation Museum, Lucerne, June 26, 1989 Swiss Air DC-3, HB-IRN at the Swiss Transportation Museum in Lucerne on June 26, 1989. Its Douglas construction number is 33393. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B-35, 44-77061.


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Douglas DC-3 Variants

2009 Calendar

You can buy a 2009 calendar featuring my photographs of Douglas DC-3 Variants.

Lockett Books Calendar Catalog: Douglas DC-3 Variants

Lockett Books Calendar Catalog: Douglas DC-3 Variants

A dozen photos of variants of Douglas DC-3s, taken over a span of thirty years. DC-3s pictured include:

PCA DC-3 N50CE, San Francisco International Airport, August 6, 1974
DC-3 N25CE Puff, Santa Barbara Airport, October 1985
DC-3C N403JB Pegasus, Santa Barbara Airport, October 16, 1985
Salair DC-3C, N3FY, Santa Barbara Airport, May 10, 1988
Douglas Historical Foundation DC-2-118B NC1934D in TWA livery Marine Corp Air Station el Toro, April 29, 1989
Lisunov Li-2T Yellow 03, Zhukovsky, Russia, September 5, 1993
Royal Air Force Dakota, Farnborough Airshow, September 11, 1994
Air Atlantique DC-3 G-AMPO, Farnborough Airshow, September 11, 1994
DC-3-253 NC41HQ (C-41 38-0502), Nellis Air Force Base, April 25, 1997
DC-3 N101KC Rose, Hawthorne Airport, Friday, July 9, 2004
DC-3 N20TW, Edwards Air Force Base, August 19, 2005
DC-3C N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Camarillo, June 12, 2006

Buy my Douglas DC-3 Variants: 2009 calendar at Lulu! Put a copy of the Douglas DC-3 Variants: 2009 Calendar in your Lulu.com shopping cart.

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DC-3, N596AR Chas. S. Jones, Santa Monica Airport, May 19, 1990 DC-3, N596AR Chas. S. Jones at the Santa Monica Airport on May 19, 1990. Its Douglas construction number is 4877. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-53, 41-20107. It has been registered N242SM and will go on display at the Santa Monica Airport.

DC-2-118B NC1934D, George Air Force Base, November 11, 1990 Douglas Historical Foundation DC-2-118B NC1934D at George Air Force Base on November 11, 1990.

Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826 on display at the Pima County Air Museum on November 27, 1991.

C-47B 43-49281 on display at the Hill Air Force Base Museum on June 28, 1992. Its Douglas construction number is 26542.

C-47A 43-15977, Castle Air Force Base Museum, September 17, 1992 C-47A-90 43-15977 Seventh Heaven at the Castle Air Force Base Museum on September 17, 1992. Its Douglas construction number is 20443. After retirement from the Air Force, it entered the civil registry as NC812. Over the years it carried civil registrations NC812, NC112, NC24, N14, N21, N24010, and N230GB.

C-47A 43-15977, Castle Air Force Base Museum, September 17, 1992 C-47A 43-15977 Seventh Heaven at the Castle Air Force Base Museum on September 17, 1992.

DC-3 N57123 at Falcon Field near Tempe, Arizona on November 29, 1992. Its Douglas construction number is 33170. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as TC-47B-30 44-76837. It was transferred to the Navy as R4D-7 BuNo 99831. It was previously seen wearing the possibly fictitious registrations N4443Y and N6059Y. It was subsequently modified with turboprop engines.

C-47A-30 42-23668, Edward F. Beale Museum, Beale Air Force Base, January 22, 1993 C-47A-30 42-23668 at the Edward F. Beale Museum at Beale Air Force Base on January 22, 1993. Its Douglas construction number is 9530. It is registered as N60480.

C-47A-30 42-23668, Edward F. Beale Museum, Beale Air Force Base, January 22, 1993 C-47A-30 42-23668 at the Edward F. Beale Museum at Beale Air Force Base on January 22, 1993.

C-53D 42-68835, McClellan Air Force Base Museum, January 23, 1993 C-53D 42-68835 at the McClellan Air Force Base Museum on January 23, 1993. Its Douglas construction number is 11762. It was leased by American Airlines after World War II. The U.S. Geological Survey operated it as N19924 in the 1960s. The Drug Enforcement Agency seized it in Florida in 1982.

DC-3A N45366, Lodi, california Municipal Airport, June 25, 1993 DC-3A N45366 at the Lodi, California Municipal Airport on June 25, 1993. Its Douglas construction number is 11757. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-53D 42-68830. It is now undergoing restoration by the Inland Empire Wing of the Commemorative Air Force at the Riverside, California Airport.

DC-3A N45366, Lodi, California Municipal Airport, June 25, 1993 DC-3A N45366 at the Lodi, California Municipal Airport on June 25, 1993.

DC-3A N45366, Lodi, California Municipal Airport, June 25, 1993 DC-3A N45366 at the Lodi, California Municipal Airport on June 25, 1993.

DC-3A N45366, Lodi, California Municipal Airport, June 25, 1993 DC-3A N45366 at the Lodi, California Municipal Airport on June 25, 1993.

DC-3C N4991E, Lodi, California Municipal Airport, June 25, 1993 DC-3C N4991E at the Lodi, California Municipal Airport on June 25, 1993. Its Douglas construction number is 12106. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47A-1 42-92319. It was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force as FZ571. It was operated by TCA as CF-TDU beginning in 1946. Frontier Airlines gave it its current registration.

DC-3C N4991E, Lodi, California Municipal Airport, June 25, 1993 DC-3C N4991E at the Lodi, California Municipal Airport on June 25, 1993. It is believed to remain at Lodi.

Lisunov Li-2T Yellow 03 at the Zhukovsky Aerodrome near Moscow, Russia on September 5, 1993. The Li-2T was a variant of the C-47 built by Lisunov under license in Russia. Its Lisunov construction number is 23441605.

Lisunov Li-2 03 at the Zhukovsky Aerodrome near Moscow, Russia on September 5, 1993.

Lisunov Li-2 03 at the Zhukovsky Aerodrome near Moscow, Russia on September 5, 1993.

Lisunov Li-2 03 flying in formation with a pair of Sukhoi Su-27P Flankers at the Zhukovsky Aerodrome near Moscow, Russia on September 5, 1993.

Lisunov Li-2 03 flying in formation with a pair of Sukhoi Su-27P Flankers at the Zhukovsky Aerodrome near Moscow, Russia on September 5, 1993.

Lisunov Li-2 03 at the Zhukovsky Aerodrome near Moscow, Russia on September 5, 1993.

Royal Air Force Dakota at the Farnborough Airshow on September 11, 1994.

Royal Air Force Dakota at the Farnborough Airshow on September 11, 1994.

Air Atlantique DC-3 G-AMPO at the Farnborough Airshow on September 11, 1994. It served the Department of Transport to control pollution. Its Douglas construction number is 33185. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B-30 44-76853. It was transferred to the Royal Air Force as KN566. It is now on display at Royal Air Force Lyneham.

Air Atlantique DC-3 G-AMPO at the Farnborough Airshow on September 11, 1994.

C-47A-85 43-15509 on display at the Imperial Air Museum at Duxford, England on September 13, 1994. Its Douglas construction number is 19975. It flew for Scandanavian Airlines System as SE-BBH. It was registered in the United States as N9985F and N51V. It flew for the Spanish Air Force as TV-29. In Great Britain it flew for Aces High as G-BHUB.

C-47A-85 43-15509 on display at the Imperial Air Museum at Duxford, England on September 13, 1994.

C-47B-35 44-77003 on display as Royal Air Force Dakota KG374 at the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford, England on September 13, 1994. Its Douglas construction number is 33335. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-47B-35 44-77003. It was transferred to the Royal Air Force as KN645.

C-47 41-7723 on display at the Pima County Air Museum on November 23, 1994.

Douglas C-53 Skytrain, 41-20094 as 41-20093, Edwards Air Force Base, October 22, 1994 Douglas C-53 Skytrain, 41-20093 at Edwards Air Force Base on October 22, 1994. It may actually be 41-20094. The two C-53s carried Douglas construction numbers 4863 and 4864. They were transferred to the Navy as BuNo 05073 and 05074 on January 9, 1942 and February 4, 1942, respectively. The former 41-20093 entered the civil registry as NC30084. It was sold to the Venezualen airline Avensa and registered YV-C-AVO on March 14, 1947. It was withdrawn from use in 1972. The former 41-20094 entered the civil registry as N1301 and served several operators until 1982. This C-53 appeared on static display at the 1994 Edwards Air Force Base Open House.

DC-3-253 NC41HQ at Nellis Air Force Base on April 25, 1997. Its Douglas construction number is 2053. It served the Army Air Corps as C-41 38-0502, the personal transport of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. It flew for Southern Airways as NC15473. The Civil Aeronautics Authority operated it as N12. The Federal Aviation Administration operated it as N43. Southeast Missouri State University registered it as N54595. Otis Spunkmeyer Air gave it its current registration.

DC-3-253 NC41HQ at Nellis Air Force Base on April 25, 1997.

C-47D 43-49507 displayed as C-47A 43-15174 at the United States Air Force Museum at Dayton, Ohio on August 17, 1998. Its Douglas construction number is 26768. It was the last C-47 in Air Force service. It was retired on June 30, 1975 with 20,821 hours of flight time.

Dream Flight's DC-3, N101KC Rose at Chino, April 24, 1999 Dream Flight's DC-3A, N101KC Rose at the Chino Airshow on April 24, 1999. Its Douglas construction number is 11639. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-53D, 42-68712. It is a veteran of the D-Day invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944.

Douglas C-47A, N88874, Falcon Field, Arizona, September 30, 1999 Douglas C-47A, N88874 at Falcon Field, Arizona on September 30, 1999. Its Douglas construction number is 12693 and it was delivered to the Army Air Force as 42-92847 in March 1944. After serving in the European theater, it was acquired by Reconstruction Finance Corporation in October 1945. At that time it received its current registration. Subsequent owners include United Gas Corp., Union Producing Co., Jim Hankins Air Services, Southeastern Land Corp., Church of God Union Assembly Inc. of Dalton Georgia, Air New England, Cryderman Air Services, National Jet Service, Air Indiana (lease), and McCollom Aviation Inc.

Douglas DC-3 N193DP, Van Nuys Airport, June 23, 2000 Douglas DC-3 N193DP at Van Nuys Airport on June 23, 2000. Its Douglas construction number is 4433. It is owned by the Santa Monica Museum of Flying. It was built as R4D-1, BuNo 01977 for the U. S. Navy in 1942.

Visit the Santa Monica Museum of Flying web site.

Dream Flight's DC-3, N101KC Rose, Van Nuys, June 22, 2001 Dream Flight's DC-3, N101KC Rose at Van Nuys, June 22, 2001.

Douglas DC-3, N814CL, Camarillo Airport, August 25, 2001 Clay Lacy Corporation's Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Camarillo Airport on August 25, 2001. It is restored in the colors of United Airlines. Its Douglas construction number is 34370, and it was built in 1945.

Douglas C-47A, N88874, Falcon Field, Arizona, March 2, 2002 Douglas C-47A, N88874 at Falcon Field, Arizona on March 2, 2002.

Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff, Camarillo Airport, August 11, 2002 Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff at the Camarillo Airport on August 11, 2002. It is operated by the Aero Heritage Museum out of Falcon Field near Mesa, Arizona. It was recently restored (see the photo of N88874 taken on March 2, 2002 above) in Viet Nam war era SEA camouflage: tan FS 30219, light green FS 34102, and dark green 34079 topsides and white undersides.

Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff, Camarillo Airport, August 11, 2002 Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff at the Camarillo Airport on August 11, 2002.

Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff, Camarillo Airport, August 11, 2002 Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff at the Camarillo Airport on August 11, 2002.

Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff, Camarillo Airport, August 11, 2002 Douglas AC-47A, N88874 Puff at the Camarillo Airport on August 11, 2002.

FAA Douglas DC-3C, N34, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, October 18, 2003 FAA Douglas DC-3C, N34 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on October 18, 2003. It is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum.

FAA Douglas DC-3C, N34, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, October 18, 2003 Douglas DC-3C, N34 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on October 18, 2003.

Douglas DC-3C, N34, Edwards Air Force Base, October 24, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N34 at Edwards Air Force Base on October 24, 2003.

Douglas C-53 Skytrain, 41-20094 as 41-20093 Douglas C-53 Skytrain, 41-20093 at Edwards Air Force Base on October 25, 2003. It is in the collection of the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum.

N760 Spirit of Seventy Six, Western Museum of Flight, July 9, 2004 DC-3, N760 Spirit of Seventy Six at Western Museum of Flight at the Hawthorne Airport on July 9, 2004.

Dream Flight's DC-3, N101KC Rose Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose of Dream Flight carried passengers on aerial tours from Hawthorne Airport on Friday, July 9, 2004. It was built as a DC-3 in 1943 and served the Army Air Force as a C-53D. It is a veteran of the D-Day invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944.

Dream Flight's DC-3, N101KC Rose Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose of Dream Flight carried passengers on aerial tours from the Inyokern Airport during the Kern County Airshow on Wednesday, October 6, 2004. The flights provided spectacular views of the China Lake Valley and the Sierra Nevada.

Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose, Vandenberg Air Force Base, October 31, 2004 Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose at Vandenberg Air Force Base on October 31, 2004.

Douglas VC-47A, 43-15579, March Field Museum, March 23, 2005 Douglas VC-47A, 43-15579 undergoing restoration at the March Field Museum on March 23, 2005.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Santa Paula Airport, August 6, 2005 Clay Lacy Corporation's Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Santa Paula Airport on August 6, 2005.

Douglas DC-3-G202A, N20TW, Edwards Air Froce Base, August 19, 2005 Paralift Incorporated's DC-3, N20TW at Edwards Air Froce Base on August 19, 2005. It carries Douglas construction number 2236. It is 65 years old. It was delivered to Eastern Airlines as DC-3-201C, NC25648 in June 1940. It flew for North Central Airlines from May 1967 until April 1978. It has been registerd to Paralift Incorporated since February 1988.

Douglas DC-3-G202A, N20TW, Edwards Air Froce Base, August 19, 2005 DC-3, N20TW was providing students of the Air Force Test Pilot School with proficiency training in unfamiliar airplane types.

Douglas DC-3-G202A, N20TW, Edwards Air Froce Base, August 19, 2005 DC-3, N20TW made a touch-and-go landing on Runway 22 eight minutes after the departure of Discovery.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Camarillo Airport, August 28, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Camarillo Airport on August 28, 2005. Its Douglas construction number is 34370 and it was built in 1945. It is based at the Van Nuys Airport.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Camarillo Airport, August 28, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Camarillo Airport on August 28, 2005.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Camarillo Airport, August 28, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Camarillo Airport on August 28, 2005.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Camarillo Airport, August 28, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Camarillo Airport on August 28, 2005.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Camarillo Airport, August 28, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at the Camarillo Airport on August 28, 2005.

Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826, Pima County Air Museum, September 26, 2005 Marine Corps C-117D, BuNo 50826 on display at the Pima County Air Museum on September 26, 2005.

Douglas DC-3C, N2805J restored as AC-47, 43-48770 Spooky, Edwards Air Force Base, October 21, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N2805J at Edwards Air Force Base on October 21, 2005. It served the Army Air Corps as 43-16369. Its Douglas construction number is 20835. Warbirds of America Squadron 14, Inc. has restored it as AC-47, 43-48770 Spooky.

Link the American Flight Museum Squadron 14 web page.

Paralift Incorporated's Douglas DC-3-G202A, N20TW Paralift Incorporated's DC-3-G202A, N20TW carries Douglas construction number 2236. It is 65 years old. It was delivered to Eastern Airlines as DC-3-201C, NC25648 in June 1940. It flew for North Central Airlines from May 1967 until April 1978. It has been registerd to Paralift Incorporated since February 1988. It provides students of the Air Force Test Pilot School with proficiency training in unfamiliar airplane types.

Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose, Santa Monica Airport, December 17, 2005 Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose at Santa Monica Airport on December 17, 2005, the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the DC-3.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor, Santa Monica Airport, December 17, 2005 Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Santa Monica Airport on December 17, 2005. Its Douglas construction number is 34370 and it was built in 1945. It is based at the Van Nuys Airport.

Douglas DC-3C-S1C3G, N1XP Duggy, Santa Monica Airport, December 17, 2005 Douglas DC-3C-S1C3G, N1XP Duggy at Santa Monica Airport on December 17, 2005. Its Douglas construction number is 4733 and it was built in 1942.

Douglas DC-3 70th Anniversary Celebration, Santa Monica Airport, December 17, 2005 Saturday, December 17 was the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the Douglas DC-3 at the Santa Monica Airport. To commemorate the event, the Santa Monica Museum of Flying broke ground for a new DC-3 memorial and staged a formation flyover of DC-3s at the Santa Monica Airport. Several vintage airplanes were displayed to the public, including Bob Odegaard's Goodyear F2G-1 Super Corsair.

C-47A 43-15977, Castle Air Force Base Museum, January 21, 2006 C-47A-90 43-15977 Seventh Heaven at the Castle Museum on January 21, 2006.

C-53D, N45366 at Chino on May 21, 2006. It carries Douglas construction number is 11757. It was delivered to the Army Air Corps as C-53D, 42-68830. It is in the collection of the Inland Empire Wing of the Commemorative Air Force at the Riverside, California Airport.

Douglas C-53D, N45366 fires up its port engine at Chino on May 21, 2006.

Douglas C-53D, N45366 at Chino on May 21, 2006.

Douglas C-53D, N45366 at Chino on May 21, 2006.

Mitsubishi A6M5 "Zero" NX46770 lands as Douglas C-53D, N45366 waits to take off at Chino on May 21, 2006.

Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat, NX12260 and General Motors FM-2 Wildcat, N29FG land as Douglas C-53D, N45366 waits to take off at Chino on May 21, 2006.

Douglas C-53D, N45366 at Chino on May 21, 2006.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Camarillo on June 12, 2006.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Camarillo on June 12, 2006.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Camarillo on June 12, 2006.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Camarillo on June 12, 2006.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Camarillo on June 12, 2006.

C-53D, N45366 at Camarillo on August 19, 2006.

C-53D, N45366 at Camarillo on August 19, 2006.

C-53D, N45366 at Camarillo on August 19, 2006.

Douglas DC-3C, N814CL Mainliner O'Connor at Camarillo on August 19, 2006.


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