The DC-3 is 70

[PaperTiger]

Happy birthday, Gooney. And many more.

(Can't believe nobody beat me to it !)

[Krystal n chips]

Interesting to see and note that in 70 years, nobody has built a long term and viable type of the same ilk---speaks volumes really.

Be interesting to see if the BUFF makes 70 though !

[fradu]

My first flight was in a Dakota, July 1989 :)

[barit1]

Lake Central Airlines (formerly Turner Airlines, later bought out by Allegheny) plied my part of the Midwest with P&W-powered DC-3's. Some were converted C-47's, some were prewar DC-3's with a RH pax door.

I once rode one fresh out of the shop, and I still remember being impressed how quiet it was. (and across the aisle sat Stan Getz on his way to a gig.)

There's still a fleet of freighters operating out of Hook Field, Middletown OH (six visible on Google Earth)

[con-pilot]

There are still a lot of DC-3s still banging around the Caribbean. Heck I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if there are still some DC-3s still flying 70 years from now. I won’t be here to see it, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

I was very fortunate to fly a corporate DC-3 for a about 5 years. It was more of a fun airplane the boss wanted to have and we only flew it on nice days. I ended up with about 200 hours in the DC-3.

The last I heard my old DC-3 is flying tourists around the Swiss Alps. It was the lowest time DC-3 still flying in the world when we got it, only had about 1,700 hours on it total time.

[Dak Mechanic]

Enjoyed my 70th anniversary flight in Air Atlantiques RA yesterday!

Well done to Annette and the team for organising a successful weekend at Coventry despite a couple of unforseen problems..

JC

[Chuck Ellsworth]

For me it is rather interesting, both the DC3 and I turned 70 this year.

And as an aside I flew Fifi Kate from Leystad to Valkenberg Holland this spring.

The 3 is a good airplane I got my type rating on it in 1967 and flew them for many thousands of hours so it was fun to fly Fifi Kate this spring.

Chuck E.

[pigboat]

I got type rated on the DC-3 in 1970. Got nearly 2000 hours on 'em, including 170 hours on skis. I've flown one that had the R2000 DC-4 engines.