|
|
| Douglas
Model DC-3 model airplane |
| Undoubtedly
a classic airliner, and almost certainly as well known to travelers all
over the world as to aviation enthusiasts, by the end of 1991 the Douglas
DC-3 as a type, had been in service continuously for 55 years, with a safety
record that has become almost legendary. Civil DC-3s delivered to US airlines
before the nation became involved in World War II played a most important
part in the development of reliable national air routes. It has been recorded
that in the period 1936-1941 national passenger mileage in the US increased
by almost 600 per cent, a growth that was very largely due to the DC-3,
which was the primary airplane of most US airlines in this period. The
DC-3's rugged reliability also appealed to military planners as soon as
the requirement for large numbers of transport airplanes was appreciated.
Ordered in large numbers in 1940, these airplanes became designated C-47
and acquired the name Skytrain, and were the precursors of an enormous
and diverse military series of aircraft. By the end of World War II, 10,692
of these airplanes had been built in the US, and a further 2,000 or so
airplanes were also built under license in the USSR with the designation
Lisunov Li-2. The DC-3/C-47's robust construction meant that very large
numbers of the airplane survived the World War II, and when these planes
were disposed of as war surplus items, operators all over the world acquired
them as fast as they could lay hands on them. In fact, there was such an
acute shortage of aircraft suitable for the initiation of civil passenger
and cargo services that many airplanes were operated without any alteration
to the military interior. The majority of the airplanes, however, were
modified to bring them up to an acceptable airline passenger standard.
Used in the passenger carrying and utility roles, these aircraft played
a significant part in establishing many new airlines and new air services.
The DC-3/C-47 was powered by two 1,200-hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3G
Twin Wasp radial piston engines, giving the airplane a maximum speed of
230 mph at 8,500 feet, cruising speed of 207 mph, service ceiling of 23,200
feet, and a range with maximum fuel of 2,135 miles. |
American Airlines
Delta Airlines
|
Eastern Airlines |
TWA
|
All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted
Mahogany and come fully assembled with removable desk stand. |
|
Dimensions: Wingspan, 21 1/8 -Length, 14
1/4" -Scale, 1/54
AM583-CR (American Airlines) - $149.95
AM583-DR (Delta Airlines) - $149.95
.. More ..
Dimensions: Wingspan, 16" -Length, 11" -Scale,
1/72
G0472P2W (American Airlines) - $129.95
G0772P2W (Delta Airlines) - $129.95
G0572P2W (Eastern Airlines ) - $129.95
G0672P2W (TWA) - $129.95
G8872P2W (United) - $129.95
|
|
|