The last of the DC-3 airplanes that regularly flies over the United States disappeared from the skies on Tuesday. This prop-driven aircraft has been a mainstay, outliving it’s Douglas Commercial predecessors and successors, but two days ago, Catalina Flying Boats Air Freight Service flew its last flight out of Long Beach Airport in California, and will begin using Cessna Caravans instead.
The DC-3 was one of the most important transport aircraft, especially for the military during World War II. The DC-3 Sleeper Transport provided travelers with state-of-the-art comfort, with seats that folded out for sleeping at night for all 16 of its passengers. This was essential in 1936 when a California to New York route meant cruising along at 207 mph, which meant this was a 15-hour flight; 18 hours for the reverse trip because of headwinds. And not nonstop, of course. The aircraft had to make 3 stops to refuel.
But that isn’t the end of these dependable planes. From Long Beach, these aircraft will then head to South Africa where they will begin their next chapter, performing humanitarian flights.
Around the globe, the DC-3 is still used for routes from Africa and South America to Haiti, as well as up to Canada’s Northwest Territory.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Around the globe, the DC-3 is still used for routes from Africa and South America to Haiti, as well as up to Canada's Northwest Territory.
- This prop-driven aircraft has been a mainstay, outliving it's Douglas Commercial predecessors and successors, but two days ago, Catalina Flying Boats Air Freight Service flew its last flight out of Long Beach Airport in California, and will begin using Cessna Caravans instead.
- The DC-3 Sleeper Transport provided travelers with state-of-the-art comfort, with seats that folded out for sleeping at night for all 16 of its passengers.