21st century DC3s galore
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: The New Forest, UK
21st century DC3s galore
Villavicencio Airport Colombia
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
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
Last edited by b377; 20th February 2009 at 19:51.
I think you know what I was implying.Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 10
From: France
Originally Posted by beachbumflyer
It's over 70 years after maiden flight. Wow.
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
I think you know what I was implying.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Near LOACH intersection
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 151
Likes: 4
From: The Welsh Riviera
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!
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: The New Forest, UK
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 ..
