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Linked assets
Air Travel in the 1950s
Air Travel in the 1950s 
DC-3
DC-3 
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Conceptually similar
Douglas Workers with DC-3
Douglas Workers with DC-3 
DC-3 Tail with Woman Worker
DC-3 Tail with Woman Worker 
DC-3 Engine Maintenance
DC-3 Engine Maintenance 
DC-3 Nose
DC-3 Nose 
DC-3 Mainliner on the Ground
DC-3 Mainliner on the Ground 
C-47 Skytrain at Long Beach with Soldiers
C-47 Skytrain at Long Beach with Soldiers 
DC-8 Nose
DC-8 Nose 
C-47 Skytrain with Women Workers
C-47 Skytrain with Women Workers 
DC-3 Being Serviced
DC-3 Being Serviced 
DC-3 with 377 Stratocruiser
DC-3 with 377 Stratocruiser 
DC-3, Douglas Sleeper Transport with Cord Automobile
DC-3, Douglas Sleeper Transport with Cord Automobile 
Loading Packages on a DC-3
Loading Packages on a DC-3 
Workers Prepare to Attach DC-3 Wing, 1940
Workers Prepare to Attach DC-3 Wing, 1940 
Lady at Work on a DC-3
Lady at Work on a DC-3 
Executive DC-3 Ground Maintenance
Executive DC-3 Ground Maintenance 
C-47 Skytrain Assembly
C-47 Skytrain Assembly 
DC-3 Refueling
DC-3 Refueling 
DC-3 Wing Assembly, 1940
DC-3 Wing Assembly, 1940 
Douglas Aircraft Worker in Wheel Well of a DC-3
Douglas Aircraft Worker in Wheel Well of a DC-3 
Super DC-3 Landing
Super DC-3 Landing 
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DC-3 Nose with Workers

The DC-3, which made air travel popular and airline profits possible, is universally recognized as the greatest airplane of its time. Some would argue that it is the greatest of all time. Design began in 1934 at the insistence of C.R. Smith, president of American Airlines. Smith wanted two new planes - a longer DC-2 that would carry more day passengers and another with railroad-type sleeping berths, to carry overnight passengers. The first DC-3 built was the Douglas Sleeper Transport, and it was the height of luxury. Fourteen plush seats in four main compartments could be folded to form seven berths, while seven more folded down from the cabin ceiling. The plane could accommodate 14 overnight passengers or 28 for shorter daytime flights. The first was delivered to American Airlines in June 1936, followed two months later by the first standard 21-passenger DC-3. In November 1936, United Airlines became the second DC-3 customer. Initial orders from American and United were soon followed by orders from more than 30 other airlines in the next two years. The DC-3 was not only comfortable and reliable, it also made air transportation profitable. American's C.R. Smith said the DC-3 was the first airplane that could make money just by hauling passengers, without relying on government subsidies. As a result, by 1939, more than 90 percent of the nation's airline passengers were flying on DC-2s and DC-3s. In addition to the 455 DC-3 commercial transports built for the airlines, 10,174 were produced as military transports during World War II. For both airline and military use, the DC-3 proved to be tough, flexible, and easy to operate and maintain. Its exploits during the war became the stuff of legend. Today, more than six decades after the last one was delivered, hundreds of DC-3s are still flying and still earning their keep by carrying passengers or cargo. 
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Unique identifier BI21484 
Boeing ID kc47r11 
Type Image 
Size 5996px × 4664px   80MB 
License type RM 
Keywords
1930s
adults
airplanes
blue
blue skies
busy
clear skies
close-ups
commercial
commercial passenger planes
day
doors
exteriors
fuselages
ground crews
ground shots
half-length views
historic production status
left side views
maintenance
male
mechanics
monoplanes
nose sections
occupations and work
other livery
photos
propeller planes
red
several/groups
silver color
stairs, lifts and ladders
structural systems
sunshine
tarmac
unpainted
viewed from below
vintage / retro
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