Douglas

The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer based in Southern California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.
In 1967 it merged with McDonnell Aircraft to form McDonnell Douglas (MD). Douglas Aircraft Company largely operated as a division of MD after the merger. In 1997 MD merged with Boeing.

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DC-3 | C-47 | DC-6

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Douglas DC-3

The Douglas DC-3 is a fixed-wing propeller-driven airliner with tailwheel-type landing gear. Its cruise speed (207 mph or 333 km/h) and range (1,500 mi or 2,400 km) revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting effect on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made.
The DC-3 was a twin-engine metal monoplane, developed as a larger, improved 14-bed sleeper version of the Douglas DC-2. It had many exceptional qualities compared to the previous aircraft. It was fast, had a good range and could operate from short runways. It was reliable and easy to maintain and carried passengers in greater comfort. Before the war it pioneered many air travel routes. It was able to cross the continental United States, making transcontinental flights and worldwide flights possible, and is considered the first airliner that could make money by carrying passengers alone.
The DC-3 was introduced in 1936 and civil production ended in 1942 with 607 aircraft being produced. However, together with its military derivative, the C-47 Skytrain (designated the Dakota in British Royal Air Force (RAF) service), and with Russian- and Japanese-built versions, over 16,000 were built.

Douglas DC-3, registration HB-IRJ, built 1940, serial number 2204
Cointrin (GVA), Geneva, Switzerland, 12 July 2016

Douglas DC-3C-S1C3G, registration PH-PBA, built 1944, serial number 19434
Weeze Airport, Weeze, Germany, 1 May 2023

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DC-3 | C-47 | DC-6

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Douglas C-47 Skytrain

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain (RAF designation: Dakota) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remains in front line service with various military operators.
The C-47 differed from the civilian DC-3 in numerous modifications, including being fitted with a cargo door, hoist attachment, and strengthened floor, along with a shortened tail cone for glider-towing shackles, and an astrodome in the cabin roof.

Douglas C-47A Skytrain, registration IJ-302, built ????, serial number ????
Indian Air Force Museum, Delhi, India, 28 April 2018

Douglas C-47A Skytrain, registration N473DC, built 1943, serial number 42-100882
Ede, Netherlands, 23 August 2019

Douglas C-47A Skytrain, registration N473DC, built 1943, serial number 42-100882
Ede, Netherlands, 24 August 2019

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DC-3 | C-47 | DC-6

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Douglas DC-6

The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and cargo aircraft built from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range commercial transport market. More than 700 were built and many still fly today in cargo, military, and wildfire control roles.

Douglas DC-6B, registration YU-AFB, built 1956, serial number 45564
Airport Rome, Rome, Italy, 7 September 1969
(two photos combined for complete aircraft)

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DC-3 | C-47 | DC-6

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