Douglas DC-3: 60 Years and Counting [Paperback]

Ed Davies (Author), Nicholas A. Veronico (Author), Scott A. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1995

The Douglas DC-3...certainly the most recognized and celebrated aircraft the world over. This books takes the reader into the more obscure facets of the DC-3 through the long years of its use. Included is the complete history of the DC-3 turb ojet and turboprop conversions from early efforts in the late 1940s to the latest Basler product. Also detailed is the reliable service of the DC-3 with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, one of the largest civil users of the DC-3. In mid-1994, a p air of veteran DC-3s made a pilgrimage back to the skies of Normandy to commemorate the D-Day landings of 1944...and the story of that historic sojourn is included here in both words and pictures. A color photo section containing views of many preserved D C-3s from around the world is featured, along with intriguing looks at a number of derelict and forgotten airframes. Also featured: where can you fly a DC-3 today, or where can you just catch a ride on one. Detailed appendices with serial number lists, ai rcraft histories, etc. A fresh look at the venerable Douglas DC-3.

Editorial Reviews

Review

On December 19, 1995 it was 60 years ago that the prototype of the DC-3 made its first flight. Such a jubilee is a good occasion to publish a book on the subject. Many readers will say: "Another book about the DC-3; what is there left to tell what I have not heard about this aircraft?" But this book is different. It does not bring the history of the world's most famous airliner, but covers more recent aspects of the DC-3. Such as where in world can one fly in a DC-3, jump form it, or learn to fly one. Further, you can find details of the turbo-versions and the companies that convert them. The largest part of the book contains information of the more than thousand DC-3s that are still flying, plus preserved aircraft and even on derelict DC-3s. This book deserves a place in the collection of every Dak or Gooney Bird fan. -- Aeronews of Belgium

This is a very well written and thoroughly researched book with a large number of color pictures of flying, stored and derelict DC-3s, with sections like "where in the world...can you learn to fly a DC-3?"...It also features a great chapter titled simply "Return to Normandy" which is a tale of flying across the Atlantic for the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. It was quite an adventure and well worth reading on its own. A great read for all those fans of the big classics out there. -- Classic Wings Downunder Magazine

This is a well written and thoroughly researched book with a large number of color pictures of flying, stored, and derelict DC-3s, with sections like "where in the world...can you learn to fly a DC-3?" ...It also features a great chapter titled si mply "Return to Normandy" which is a tale of flying across the Atlantic for the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. It was quite an adventure and well worth reading on its own. A great read for all those fans of the big classics out there. -- Classics W ings Downunder Magazine, 10-12/1995

With the 60th anniversary of the first flight of one of the most celebrated aircraft of the world in December this year, we can expect a flurry of new books about the type. This one is a well-illustrated potpourri of DC-3 lore, and includes chapte rs on where you can catch a ride on one, skydive from one, learn to fly one, see one hauling freight or on display, and where you can find one rotting away. Most refreshing is the section which covers the history of the turboprop-powered DC-3s in consider able detail, and one of the largest users of the type-the US Federal Aviation Administration-is also covered with new text and pictures. Appendices offer detailed production lists of FAA DC-3s and modifications made to them, and a world-wide listing of preserved aircraft. -- Airways, Nov/Dec 1995

About the Author

Scott Thompson is an Airspace System Inspection Pilot for the Federal Aviation Administration at the Sacramento, California, Flight Inspection Office. In the course of his work he flies flight check Learjets and has amassed nearly 6000 flight h ours. His research interests lies centered around the postwar use of World War II vintage aircraft and has written over a hundred articles for a variety of aviation publications. He lives in Elk Grove, California, with his wife Lisa and their three sons.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Aero Vintage Books (1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963754343
• ISBN-13: 978-0963754349
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,821,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)