Douglas DC-3

The DC-3, first flown in 1935, was the most widely used passenger aircraft of its time. Its landing speed was a safe and comfortable 64 miles per hour. The DC-3 was used during World War II as a military-transport for the United States Army. Of the nearly 11,000 DC-3s made, hundreds were still flying in the 1980's. The all-time champion DC-3 flew more than 50,000 hours in the air for Eastern Air Lines after it was delivery in 1939. In 1952 it was sold to North Carolina Airlines and flew until 1965, when it was retired from regular service. During the 36 years of service it had flown nearly 85,000 hours, almost 10 full years in the air, wore out 550 tires, 25,000 spark plugs, and 136 engines.

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