The Douglas DC-3, aviation's first commercially profitable airliner without government subsidy, revolutionized air transport and made flying accessible to millions of passengers. First flown on December 17, 1935, it was a low-wing twin-engine monoplane powered by two Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines that could accommodate 21-28 passengers or 6,000 pounds of cargo. With a wingspan of 95 feet and length exceeding 64 feet, the aircraft achieved a cruising speed of 185 miles per hour with a range of nearly 1,500 miles. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, California, the DC-3 became the foundation of modern commercial aviation.
View in Encyclopedia| HEX CODE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VINTAGE FLYING MACHINES INC | 1941 | 4123 | IN | A3AF1A |