View Full Version : 21st century DC3s galore
Villavicencio Airport Colombia (http://www.michaelprophet.com/VVC-airport.html)
Many of you may have seen this site, but I think all DC3 lovers will enjoy it.
These planes are still earning their owners a living and extreme ingenuity is demostrated by mechanics in keeping them flying while working on shoe-string budgets and scarce resources.
I was there two yeras ago, alas not so many left now. This plane is unique still serving remote jungle dirt strips to keep communities supplied with essentials. DC3 replacements have come and gone but the gooney birds carry on being everywhere and doing everything over 60 nay 70 years after maiden flight in Santa Monica, CA.
They are El Alcaravan their local name, title of a book by G.C. Caycedo one for the spanish competent among you.
HK1503 in one of the pics is one I flew in a lot as a kid, fond memories, alas it is no more since Oct 2004
beachbumflyer
20th Feb 2009, 18:35
It's over 70 years after maiden flight. Wow.
DC-ATE
20th Feb 2009, 18:46
Hmmmm.....wonder what their cargo is?!
DC-ATEHmmmm.....wonder what their cargo is?!
Well let me tell ya ...
Meat, fish, chickens , produce, pax, ... ;)
cargo manisfest is quite specific :ok:
DC-ATE
21st Feb 2009, 14:48
:O I think you know what I was implying.:O
airfoilmod
21st Feb 2009, 14:53
What's that smell. Captain?
ChristiaanJ
21st Feb 2009, 16:35
It's over 70 years after maiden flight. Wow.Your remark made me wonder about the exact dates....
So a few trivia here:
DC-1, the starting point, only one built, first flight 1 July 1933.
DC-2, the next step, 156 built, first flight 11 May 1934.
One of them, a KLM machine, came second in the London to Melbourne race in October 1934, behind a specially built DH88 racer.
At least one still flying.
DC-3, no description needed, first flight 17 December 1935, over 16000 built (including licenses and variants).
What chuffed me was that the original design flew more than five years before I was born, and now more than 75 years ago.
CJ
http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/embarass.gif I think you know what I was implying.http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/embarass.gif
I think we all did .. yea I forgot the beer crates - I did say essentials.
:):)
It's over 70 years after maiden flight. Wow.
Ok I just used a nominal 1937 .. but whichever date you use its got to be in its Diamond anniversary era..
ferrydude
21st Feb 2009, 16:56
Doh! Reuters AlertNet - The wreckage of a DC-3 plane of the Colombian national police is seen after an explosion in the Enrique Olaya Herrera airport in Medellin (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/pictures/BOG01.htm)
Two Basler -3's lost in one day
DC-ATE
21st Feb 2009, 18:02
b377-
I think we all did .. yea I forgot the beer crates - I did say essentials.
I was thinking more of the white powdery stuff.:hmm:
DC-ATE I was thinking more of the white powdery stuff
flooby dust ... hmm you never know what else you get into a DC3 you've just got to love this plane inspite.
McDoo
21st Feb 2009, 19:59
Well I managed prize bulls, sheep, meat bombs, 3 tons of copies of Motorcycle News and 4 tons of mail bags (thanks to a Royal Mail loading cock up). Although thankfully not all on the same flight!:ok:
4 tons of mail bags
McDoo
wow thought 3,000kg (~ 3 tons) was max load - that's on full tanks I suppose ...
Hunter58
22nd Feb 2009, 10:15
DC-ATE
I ssume you either saw too many bad movies or need the stuff for own consuption?
DC-ATE
22nd Feb 2009, 13:07
Hunter58 -
I ssume you either saw too many bad movies or need the stuff for own consuption?
My sources of information are classified. And.....I don't need the stuff!
Better to fly high by pulling the stick back IMHO although you are probably limited to cloud height on these old ladies ... VFR to admire the vast stretches of forest and winding rivers ..
Glassos
24th Feb 2009, 14:49
Flew DC 3's in South Africa for the SAAF and Comair. Still one of my favourite planes!