1939 Douglas DC-3 Arriving at the Ford Proving Ground near Henry Ford Museum, May 28, 1975

THF124061 / 1939 Douglas DC-3 Arriving at the Ford Proving Ground near Henry Ford Museum, May 28, 1975
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Artifact Overview

The Henry Ford's DC-3 flew to Dearborn under its own power, landing at Ford Motor Company's proving ground -- first developed as an airport in 1924 -- on May 28, 1975. Over its 36-year career for Eastern Airlines and North Central Airlines, the plane traveled 12 million miles and logged 84,875 flying hours, a record for a commercial aircraft at the time.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

28 May 1975

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

EI.235.11

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8.125 in
Width: 10 in

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    The Douglas DC-3, introduced in 1936, carried 21 passengers -- enough to fly profitably without relying on subsidies from air mail contracts. While the DC-3's economy appealed to airlines, its rugged construction and comfortable cabin attracted passengers. More than any other aircraft, the DC-3 ushered in the era of dependable, long-distance air travel in the United States.
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  • 1939 Douglas DC-3 Arriving at the Ford Proving Grounds near Henry Ford Museum, May 28, 1975
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    Retiring “The Worlds High-Time Aircraft”

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    The Henry Ford's DC-3 flew to Dearborn under its own power, landing at Ford Motor Company's proving ground -- first developed as an airport in 1924 -- on May 28, 1975. Over its 36-year career for Eastern Airlines and North Central Airlines, the plane traveled 12 million miles and logged 84,875 flying hours, a record for a commercial aircraft at the time.