DOUGLAS DC-3:
The Plane that Changed the World
Breaking Barriers in Peacetime and War
United Airlines Mainliner circa 1950. Photo: Archive Photos/Getty Images
THESIS
Born in the Great Depression, and still working today, the DC-3 is, arguably, the greatest airplane in history. No other plane has had a broader impact or done as much hard work for humanity. Originally it was a BARRIER-BREAKER in air travel, making flying comfortable and affordable for passengers, and profitable for industry. It then became an unexpected wartime hero, successfully BREAKING enemy BARRIERS in World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, while providing production jobs for women in the United States. Ultimately, it opened the skies to passenger air travel and continues today in its humanitarian and cargo missions into remote and rough regions of the world.
“Of all the airplanes ever built that have contributed in some measure to aviation progress, there is one that has far surpassed others in faithful service, dependability, and achievement...It was born during the days of wooden propellers and is still flying as we pass from the jet age into the era of space flight.”
— "The DC-3: The story of a Fabulous Airplane"
“The DC-3 was, arguably, more important to victory in World War II than any fighter, bomber, tank or warship….It was also the aircraft that ushered in the modern era of mass air travel. So it won the second World War and was the first modern airliner. What more do you need? Oh, all right then: it’s still flying and working today, and will be for decades.”
—Rowland White, author of “Cleared for Takeoff” book
Video from Smithsonian Channel. Robert van der Linden,
Curator of Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
“The DC-3 made air travel affordable to the travelling public and profitable to the airlines that flew it. That was a major BREAKTHROUGH.”
—Personal Student Interview with Robert Van Der Linden, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
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Julian Bolt Individual Junior Website 2020
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