Preparing the 1939 Douglas DC-3 for Move from Ford Proving Ground to Henry Ford Museum, June 2, 1975
THF124069 / Preparing the 1939 Douglas DC-3 for Move from Ford Proving Ground to Henry Ford Museum, June 2, 1975
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Artifact Overview
North Central Airlines donated a Douglas DC-3 airplane to The Henry Ford in 1975. After the plane flew to Ford Motor Company's proving ground -- first developed as an airport in 1924 -- its wings were removed and the aircraft was transported by crane to Henry Ford Museum. It was reassembled and displayed outside the museum until moved indoors in 2003.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
02 June 1975
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
EI.235.15
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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Related Artifacts
Artifact1939 Douglas DC-3 Airplane
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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Related Content
SetRetiring “The Worlds High-Time Aircraft”
- 21 Artifacts
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.