Over built is an understatement in relation to the DC3. One got flew into a
thunderstorm (before radar) and hit a down draft so severe it literally
ripped some of the seats out of the floor. Plane went on to a normal
landing and was back in service after a little 'maintenance'.
Some people are rebuilding the 3 with turbine engines. Haven't seen a whole
much of them. Would expect them to soldier on into the next century with
such a modification. They were such a quantum leap in aircraft technology
that its hard to duplicate, even today. Expect availability at a low price,
however, is a big factor in keeping them in the air.
Had the experience of flying in a DC3 that had been all gussied up to look
like a modern commercial plane. It was used for regularly scheduled flights
from Miami to Key West back in the 70's. Definitely faster and quieter than
a Ford Tri Motor.
The float plane DC3 must have some humongous floats. DC3s weigh a bit more
than a Cessna 180.
Talking about flying in archaeological artifacts. Used to fly as a
passenger in a C54 from Oahu to Kauai back in the early '70s. Was poking
around in the airplane and found a plaque that the airplane had been used in
the Berlin airlift. Further investigation found that the airplane was built
before I was borne in '44. Assume that plane has long since gone to the
bone yard. That squadron also had a C-47 that I flew in once. Was afraid
to ask how old that one was.
>From: "Tackley, John" <jtackley@dit.state.va.us>
>Reply-To: lro@works.team.net
>To: "'lro@works.team.net'" <lro@Works.Team.Net>
>Subject: RE: LRO: Birthday Wish (Non-Land Rover)
>Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2001 13:35:16 -0400
>
>Rick mentioned:
>
>"Given that there are several hundred it not thousands of the birds still
>working daily worldwide I don't think you have to worry too much."
>
>...and most of them have to be in the Carribean...in February, when I flew
>in San Juan, PR, I counted at least a dozen DC-3s on the tarmac, with 2 or
>3
>more either in TO or Landing. They are constantly overhead @ the SJ
>airport. It seems every little island is serviced by DC-3s and they are
>the
>mainstay of every little Carribiean airline's fleet.
>Has to be due to ease of maintenance and ease of piloting...not to mention
>that they are overbuilt like a LR.
>
>JT/ric
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Apr 10 2001 - 15:35:36 EDT