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Old 18th Jun 2014, 03:36
  #8 (permalink)  
Al E. Vator
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Accruing MilliSiverts
Posts: 562
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"However surely 70 year old planes belong in a museum".????

Why???

If the airframes are sound and the engines and systems appropriately maintained why on earth would they need to be in a museum for goodness sake? These are solidly built and over-engineered beasts and far more confidence-inspiring than many modern aircraft. I would prefer to be in a DC3 in ice than say an ATR42/72 with it's tiny little wing.

Have a look at say a Tecnam (where rivets join lightweight metal and plastic!) and then wander over and look at the construction of a DC3. Even Boeings and Airbuses have such short lifetimes nowadays. 777's are being scrapped and 7 and 8 year-old 737's and A319's are ending up as saucepans whereas the venerable DC3 just keeps on keeping on.

I think they'll outlast most of us and will certainly still be flying on the 100th anniversary of their first flight - simply outstanding.
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