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Douglas DC-3: Books - History, Models and Construction (1/2)

A book on Douglas DC-3 airliners? Explore here illustrated books on the history, models and construction of Douglas airliners (1/2).

Douglas DC-3: 80 Glorious Years

Like the P-51 Mustang and Supermarine Spitfire, the Douglas DC-3 is an iconic aircraft design. It has endured more than any other with several hundred still in use worldwide in locations as far apart as Africa, Antarctica and the US. Many of the current operators use turbine conversions of the DC-3mainly using Basler, SAAF and Dodson International the main proponents.

Just about every major post-war airline began their schedules with the DC-3. Many took advantage of post-war military surplus C-47s that had already written huge volumes of history with their roles with the US Army Air Corps in the Second World War such as the D-Day landings. Many enthusiast organisations still keep DC-3s airworthy and fly them for members. However, the days of DC-3 operations are now nearing an end thanks to spares unavailability, cost and the shortages of Avgas fuel in remote parts of the world.

As this book recounts, the Douglas DC-3 is to aviation what the Volkswagen and Ford were to motoring, and what the DC-3 operators started, the 21st century Airbus/Boeing operators continued thanks to the astonishing legacy of this remarkable aircraft.

Author:	Geoff Jones
Specs:	288 pages, 27.5 x 21.5 cm / 10.8 x 8.5 in, hardback
Illustrations:	100 b&w and 150 colour photos
Publisher:	Fonthill Media (GB, 2014)
ISBN:	9781781551035

Douglas DC-3: 80 Glorious Years

Language: English

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The Amazing Gooney Bird : The Saga of the Legendary DC-3/C-47

The DC-3 is the plane that made civilian transport that made civilian transport a profitable reality, and has become a legend in its own time. It has many names and designations - Skytrain, Spooky, Puff the Magic Dragon, DC-3, C-47, R4D, Li-2 and others.
But the name that most pilots know it by is the "Gooney Bird." And it has played many roles besides being an aerial workhorse to transport people and cargo. It has been a bomber, fighter, airborne communications center, amphibian, living quarters, hospital, flying washing machine, and command post.

When some of the more than 10,000 built, and additional hundreds in Japan and Russia, ended their days, they have been made into a hamburger stand, tea house, mobile home, seaside cottage, an officers club and even a chicken coop. Many have been put on static display at more than 200 museums around the world.

After more than sixty years, 1,000 of them are still flying the world's skies. The DC-3/C-47 has surpassed all other aircraft ever built in faithful service, dependability and achievement. This is the story of its conception, design and amazing life in war and peace.

Author:	Carroll V. Glines
Specs:	192 pages, 28.5 x 22 x 1.9 cm / 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.75 in, hardback
Illustrations:	numerous b&w photos
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764300646