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- 1939 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.
- 1939
- Collections - Artifact
1939 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.
- Plaque Commemorating the Record Number of Hours Flown by the Douglas DC-3 - The Douglas DC-3 is one of history's most significant aircraft, with important achievements in civil and military applications. DC-3 N21728, operated by Eastern Airlines and North Central Airlines from 1939 to 1975, is a special example. The airplane logged 84,875 flight hours before being retired to The Henry Ford. It was a record for a commercial aircraft at that time.
- March 10, 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Plaque Commemorating the Record Number of Hours Flown by the Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is one of history's most significant aircraft, with important achievements in civil and military applications. DC-3 N21728, operated by Eastern Airlines and North Central Airlines from 1939 to 1975, is a special example. The airplane logged 84,875 flight hours before being retired to The Henry Ford. It was a record for a commercial aircraft at that time.
- North Central Airlines' 1939 Douglas DC-3 in Flight, circa 1975 - Minneapolis-based North Central Airlines bought DC-3 number N21728, built in 1939, from Eastern Airlines in 1952. After 13 years in passenger service, North Central converted the airplane into a VIP transport in 1965. The durable DC-3 logged almost 85,000 flight hours and traveled some 12 million miles over its 36-year career. It was donated to The Henry Ford in 1975.
- circa 1975
- Collections - Artifact
North Central Airlines' 1939 Douglas DC-3 in Flight, circa 1975
Minneapolis-based North Central Airlines bought DC-3 number N21728, built in 1939, from Eastern Airlines in 1952. After 13 years in passenger service, North Central converted the airplane into a VIP transport in 1965. The durable DC-3 logged almost 85,000 flight hours and traveled some 12 million miles over its 36-year career. It was donated to The Henry Ford in 1975.
- Installing the 1939 Douglas DC-3 Airplane behind Henry Ford Museum, 1975 - 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.
- June 05, 1975
- Collections - Artifact
Installing the 1939 Douglas DC-3 Airplane behind Henry Ford Museum, 1975
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.