A saying I really liked was: "When the last Boeing 737 goes to the boneyard, the crew that flew it in will fly out on a DC-9. and when the last DC-9 goes to the boneyard, the crew will be flown out on a DC-3!"
Perris Valley Skydive has a fully operational DC 9 that they occasionally use for skydiving. They also have a fully operational DC 3 that they also occasionally use for skydiving. You say they are rare; guess it's in how you define 'rare' as there are at least 300 still flying and many others in museums etc. BTW I've jumped out of both at Perris. Jumping out of the ass end of the DC 9 is totally a blast.
@@terrysullivan1992 I jumped out of perris in the 80’s and 90’s. Also Mr Douglas when it came out for a visit. Lots of space in the DC3 but slow to altitude.
When I was a young man I was stationed in Thailand as a crew chief on the F-4D Phantom during the Vietnam war. On the base we had 4 Douglas C-47 assigned to our base. I thought they were the most beautiful planes I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t get close to them because it was a restricted area. Several years later I was stationed at Kadena air base, Okinawa. One day a co-worker of mine and I took a right to the other side of the air field and there it was a DC-3. It wasn’t in any condition to fly, no engines or door I felt somewhat sad to see it in this condition. So we pulled up to it, I got out of the truck and climbed into the old DC-3. I’ve always wanted to get up close even more, to be able to fly in one but that never happened. But for that short moment I was happy like a dream come true for me. I could only imagine the countries this airplane flew into. I wish I had a camera that day but who knew I would see a DC-3 on that day this close. After that l read the history on this plane and bought and built a plastic model of it. Now in my late 60’s it’s still my favorite plane. I hope it lives on forever.
The time Line of the story and your Age doesn't sound right. You'd hav't be almost eighty years old I was at least five years before you And I'm 71. Plus the fact the DC 3 was and is another crash program design, that to me was And still is a serious piece of junk. And that Douglas piece your talking about. The Phantom
I worked on the "Operation Halfmoon" RC-47s at Udorn RTAFB, 11/68-11/69. The 3 planes were camoflaged, first parked by the 20th SOS choppers, then later moved to the East side of the 555th and 13th's F-4Ds.
One reason they are becoming rare and expensive is that the DC-3 hasn't been in production for many decades - When stuff hasn't been produced for a long time, it tends to become rare - like Model - T Fords, Bosco, slide rules, 8 mm movie film, etc. If you want flash bulbs for your outdated film camera equipment, be prepared to spend some "dough" if you can find any !
This is my DC-3 story. In 1960 my parents put me on a DC-3 from Southern California to fly to my Aunt and Uncle's in Northern Cali to spend the summer. I was 10 years old. Well, the plane (DC-3), was a local run that stopped at the San Jose Airport. Just before landing the pilots noticed that one the lights that shows them that the landing gears are locked in place was not functioning. So, they actually foamed the runway for us. One of the stewardesses sat with me during the landing as I was the only child aboard. It was an uneventful landing, perfect! So right away a couple of mechanics came on board and went to the cockpit. A few minutes later they came back out and told us that the lightbulb was burned out and the landing gear was in fact locked in place. I was in love with that stewardess that day. Pretty big experience for a 10 year old. And that is my DC-3 story. Thanks Mikey.
@@user-vb6lq9il5v To be fair, what mikey explained was much more different than i thought. I wouldv thought it was the lowering supply but in reality it was the recent events that jacked up the prices a bit more than usual
@@honkhonk8009 Yes, it's the fact that Bassler is able to re-engine and re-avionic the DC-3 basic airframe that is driving up the costs of even neglected grounded DC-3 into usable commercial aircraft. The low supply of original parts would have killed of the DC-3 commercially, but if you re-engineer all the removable parts, it removes that limitation and creates a new lease of life with a now very old but tough airframe.
Since I was a child I loved theDC3s. In the 60', jets were flying us to vacations around the world. I live very close to Santa Monica airport (The birth place of the Dc3) but never had an apportunity to flying in one yet. That is my bucket list. When I learned about BUFFALO airline reality show, I was so exicited about it. I NEVER missed one episode of this show. My dream is to lean how to fly a twin engines in a DC3 at Buffalo airline. by the way, I already fly single engines.
Mikey, did anyone mention the C-47's that were used in Vietnam for ground suppression? When I was in Da Nang in 1969 these warbirds were lighting up the skies every night. They were called "Puff the Magic Dragon", or "Spooky". I'm sure they had other nicknames I'm not aware of. These planes had a mini gun mounted out the door that fired 6,000 rounds per minute, putting a shell in the ground every 6 square inches wherever they fired (7.62mm). When they fired you could see a solid red line to where they were firing as every 5th round was a tracer. These C-47's were flying so slow it almost seemed like they were in a hover. If you were on the ground and they picked you out you would instantly be swiss cheese. I think every Viet Vet remembers these warbirds doing their thing every night. It was entertainment for us to watch them.
Excellent video. DC-3 is a beautiful aircraft. I'm not a pilot, but I am a captain. Delivering yachts and doing charters since the 1980's, I am always pleasantly surprised to see DC-3s in the jungle, or pushed off into the edges of remote airfields. I always hope that someone with deep pockets will make them fly again, and save these planes from being the home of wild life . Like you said, they belong in the air, not corroding on the ground. Take care.
Your presentation about the economics of a DC-3 was very good. I really enjoyed it. My wife's dad flew DC-3's in WWII, and she really appreciates the information. Her dad didn't talk too much about the war, as men of that era kept quiet about their war experiences.
Tu-95, Mig-21 are also very old. Include the An-2 biplane as well. Still in use for base jumping parachuters, agricultural use, tourist flights, etc. Or the "Tante Ju" Ju-52 [Casa 352] fleet of Swiss...
Go Mikey, I loved Ice Pilots so much I bought the DVDs, bought the hoodie, some t-shirts and a baseball cap. I was a passenger on a DC 3 as a boy in New Zealand in the mid 1960's and there is just nothing like flying in that plane. Just outstanding. Loving your work.
When I served in the USAF, in the late 1970s, I took a flight in a DC3 from Phoenix Az to Flagstaff Az. It was booked through the USAF travel office, as I was traveling to my new duty assignment. I am sorry to say, I didn’t appreciate the experience at the time. I think it was some sort of fluke that this flight was available on the airline schedule, as I think it was a special flight for enthusiasts. I was wearing my dress uniform for my trip to my new station, which made me look like a complete geek, in retrospect. I believe the other people on the airplane thought I was cosplaying. This wasn’t the oldest aircraft I’ve flown on, though. I once got to ride on a Ford Trimotor.
There was a Trimotor giving rides all day long at the EAA last summer. It was already booked for the entire day when I saw it, otherwise I would have been on it. Very cool. 👌
I had the pleasure of flying a scheduled DC-3 service from Caracas to Islas Los Roques Venezuela in the late 1990's. It was perfectly appointed as a passenger airliner, curtains on the windows and everything. Sitting at that tail-dragger angle while on the tarmac, seeing the clouds of exhaust pass through the cabin as they started the big radial motors. Wow. I count myself very lucky.
The DC-3's beauty is in the simplicity of the design. Would be great if some company (Basler?) would start production of all new models of them. Would assume with new technology such aircraft could be built better than ever.
That would likely make zero economical sense. It would need to be built according to very different airworthiness and certification standards than DC-3 was designed for, so effectively development and certification of a completely new plane. That would end up costing about the same as a comparable modern transport plane - but you would be flying an 80+ years old design instead. Not sure that would have a lot of market to justify the investment. Basler can do what they are doing for the prices they have because they are rebuilding an existing plane, not making a new one. So a lot of things that wouldn't be certifiable/allowed on a new design can get "grandfathered in", saving money.
@@JanCiger I seriously doubt or agree with your claim. If an DC-3 with an 70+ y/o airframe can pass an airworthiness test, why shouldn't a new production model using the same design pass?? Not reinventing the wheel, just building a new one that tried & true. Think the licensing of the design with a new manufacture would be the biggest hurdle. Mikey might just be being nice liking my comment, but seems like he agrees with me ;-). Would like to here what Joe or someone from Basler opinion on the subject. Would go on to say that a company built 5 replica German Me-262's (using modern engines) in recent years. Could only imagine if they could do it with a WW2 fighter jet such could be done with a DC-3 that has a very strong utilitarian factor to boot. To be honest I'm no expert on the subject, are you?
@@NesconProductions You don't understand how the regulations work. It is not about any "airworthiness test". When you are designing an new airplane, you have to get the design as such certified by the regulator (FAA or EASA, for ex). Which impose rules - such as how wiring needs to be done, how fuel tanks have to be designed, how the various annunciations in the cockpit must work, what needs to be redundant and how much, etc. Just look at the problems Boeing has with getting their Max re-certified. But when you take an old airframe which has been certified before, those rules don't apply. Respectively, only rules which were applicable when the plane was originally certified have to be followed (+ stuff like modern avionics and such which were mandated later). That's also how you can get DC-3 in the air legally if you rebuild an existing airframe but you would have problems getting the same design certified *for commercial use* if it was a new plane, scratch built. Your example with Me-262 is not relevant because that's not carrying neither paying passengers nor cargo, i.e. it is not certified for commercial use. That's a big difference between being able to get something in the air (and airworthy) and being able to commercially use it.
@@Stop..carry-on Sure there is. But from what I have understood, Basler has had their mod recertified (they have to do it also because of the different engines). But it is still a rebuild/modification of a DC-3, not a new plane/design, so they didn't need to re-certify the plane according the current standards (which would likely be impossible).
I live in Lassen County, in rural northeastern California. I once saw a DC3 land in little Spalding, next to Eagle Lake. It turned out that the plane is collectively owned by a neighborhood down in the city. Every now and then some of these neighborhood folks will get aboard and go someplace. The day I saw them they had flown to Spalding for a BBQ picnic. They brought everything with them. Then at the end of the day they packed everything up and flew home. What fun! How enviable!
really want to make the B52 Guys Mad tell them they are flying a plane the US Army approved in 1947 A US Army Air Corps Major is the one who sign on the dotted line and gave the go ahead and the B52 is the last plane flying that started out as a US Army design in the US Airforce they fly
@@fastone942 Well, yes and no. The original XB-52 was to be a straight wing bomber using six Wright T-35 turbo-prop engines. This design was approved by the then U.S. Army Air Force with a contract in June, 1946. When Boeing modified the design to eight Pratt & Whitney XJ-57 pure jet engines and a swept wing, this new configuration was accepted by the now U.S. Air Force on October 27, 1948. There you have it! (information from the book American Combat Planes, by Ray Wagner, 1968 version).
Mikey, another great story. The DC3 has always been my favorite plane. My dad was a C46 then C47 crew chief during WW2, stationed in India flying over the “Hump”. Like so many other vets he rarely talked about his experience, but he told me enough to really appreciate what he did. Thank you.
The St Marys Challenger has been hauling on the Great Lakes for 114 years now. It was turned into a barge in 2014 and is now powered by a dedicated tug Prentiss Brown, but I suppose that's no different than swapping rotary for turbine. Not as sexy as a DC-3 though!
Having flown the DC3 and the DC3S with a freight company, I am so grateful they type rated me in the -3. This is by far the sweetest, most forgiving airplane I've ever flown.....in many weather conditions. Again, what a privilege to fly this airplane.....my most coveted type rating. I was also offered a job with Bassler in the Turbine version, but had gotten hired by a major airline.
When I flew out of Pickle Lake, Ontario in the late 80's there used to be some DC3 and DC4 hulls north of Pickle. They called it Webonville and if memory serves me right I think there were 4-5 hulls. I did spend an afternoon and drive up to the old strip and go through the wrecks. Joe might know of the story of Webon and his fleet of DC4's and 3's.:)
@@devinspeers3382 True, my uncle flew in Pickle during that time, but I was 20 years too late. I ended up with BearSkin and stayed there 6 years before getting out of the bush.
Dad used to be flown in in the fifties out of Vermillion Bay, Ont. and knew a lot of the gold guys. funny thing is he always had a lot of insurance!! but never bought gold stocks. He had several stories of flying into the area north of Campbell Red Lake with is butt in one plane and his tools in another to fix "something", "anything".
Hey Mikey, I only just recently started watching your channel, and I just want to say thank you. This is why I'm on RUclips. If they put this channel on TV (which they never would) they'd make it a "reality" show with a whole bunch of fake drama and very little info. There's a few of us out here that appreciate the way that you do it!
Happy to have flown on a DC-3 as a bush plane in the 90's our of Smithers BC. Hard to believe that the 380 is going to be the exact opposite of the DC-3 with such a short life span.
@@raincoast9010 I've flown from Melbourne Australia to London UK return twice, once in a 380 the second time in a 787 and the 380 is in my opinion a far superior aircraft, shame that it's too costly to operate.
I waited all my life to fly one of these beautiful planes. My one and only flight was from Fairbanks to Barter Island Alaska back in 1980. It was my first duty assignment as a 2nd Lt. I was going to Barter Island, one of the DEWLINE sites (BARMAIN). I love the fact that I finally got to fly on one...….no seats, just cargo and nets. The smoothest, slowest flight I have ever taken but certainly the most memorable. Thanks for the memories.....Steve, Wasilla, Alaska
The first airplane I ever flew in (1966) was an Ozark Airlines DC-3. I remember they passed out chewing gum for take off and landing. Wonderful memory.
I saw a DC 3 airline land at the Houlton, Maine, International airport in 1958 (about) when my cousin flew from Africa to come and live with us to finish his high school in New Brunswick. It was the only one I ever saw t hat actually landed and took off again. Your story was most fascinating. Thanks for telling us.
Wow. Consider my mind blown. I remember in the 70's you could buy a flyable DC3 for $25,000. Of course they were expensive to operate even then but I am sorry I didn't buy one. :-) Thanks
Of course, when I was in the Air Force in the 50's and the 60's, the USAF used them. I remember riding in one from Frankfurt to Berlin Tempelhof Airport in 1962 aboard a "Gooney Bird" as we called the C-47. Due to turbulence, it was a bumpy ride, but I loved riding in the Gooney Bird. Never forget it. Long live the DC-3!
First trip in DC3 was as a kid in 1947. Then again in the 1980's from Sandspit in the Queen Charlotte islands to Prince Rupert BC didn't go very high, it isn't pressurized!, and it's only 35 miles. I think the engines were P&W double wasps.
I love big pistons whether on an airframe, a hog, or anything. Mostly on a hog but the airframe too because they hold the engine up for all to see and hear like showing it off. It's cool watching your birds grunting around and getting the inside scoop, seeing how it goes on the inside instead of being just a spectator. For that I thank you Mikey and your dad. DC-3's are so cool. So is that C46 you keep batting across the continent.
When I was in the Marine Corps 40 years ago, they were still flying the C-117 (a later version of the C-47). Later, I worked at McDonnell Douglas as an engineer, designing electronics for them. I'm sure that Douglas's engineers would be very pleased to know that their creation has served the world so well!
I do have a DC-3 story! Back in the late 80's or early 90's - sometime between 88 and 94 - there was a guy running contract freight for UPS out of Albany NY in a DC-3. That might not be unusual. But it was painted in WW2 colors, complete with the USAF star and invasion stripes. That was unusual. Somewhere I have a picture of that plane, with a brown UPS truck backed up to it loading packages. Craziest and coolest thing I've seen as far as planes go at that airport.
7:05 Spitfire MK XVI from Dutch 322 Squadron flown close to the end of WW2 the 5th spit on the frame was fitted with a bubble canopy ( like a P51D) 3W-V does fly again in The Netherlands
A few years ago my two sons and myself drove to Hay River from Calgary to fly with Joe. Both him and Mickey where both gracious people.We had a chance to fly in the jump seat behind Joe.When you fly over Great Slave Lake, you know its going to be an adventure on the way to Yellowknife.Thanks.Great people.
I lived in a city named Coventry in England and a small airline called Air Atlantique had a DC 3 and a DC 6, I remember seeing them take off and land all the time as lived by the airfield.They went out of business and the planes were sold off, what memories.
This video reminded me of another DC3 experience. When I worked for GM in Oshawa 1986-1988 I regularly saw a DC-3 fly regularly into Oshawa from the US. It was bringing parts up for factories. This plane may have ended up at Nanaimo airport in the 1990's. It was converted to pick up fresh seafood from northern BC and fly back down south here. I saw it fly a couple times as I live near the Nanaimo airport. I do not know where it ended up, but is not in this area now.
Mikey knows his DC-3 history and economics. The DC-3 is probably the only commercial transport airframe that will continue flying well past 100 years. It might also be one of the first conversion aircraft to hybrid gas (generator) - electric (propeller motors) airframes for air freight operations.
That would be an interesting concept to design and build a hybrid gas electric concept for the DC-3, it would definitely extend the usable service life of the airframe!
Harbour Air in Vancouver are working to certify a Beaver with electric motor. 1st flight was December 2019, they figure it will take another year to get it certified as a commercial aircraft.
@@MikeSiemens88 I'm aware of the Beaver electric / battery prototype. I'm hopeful it will be a good short range commerical float plane. A hybrid would extend an aircraft (DC-3) range while saving fuel (40+ percent) and maintaining payload performance.
@@DougHanchard Too heavy, the Beaver with the batteries is basically a low load, short distance boutique plane, A new liquid cooled gas engine would increase range, go faster, burn less fuel, and maybe even haul more than those with the radial, but then there is the regulating agencies... The battery Beaver is a step backwards in utility. No, a flying hybrid will likely burn more fuel, there is the little problem of 35-40% loss in battery charging and discharging, plus no regenerating capability, like a car has in braking and deceleration.
Thanks for this great story! I have no need for a DC3 - but there is something romantic about this plane.... I'd love to fly one around the world on adventure! Slow, noisy, rumbling along and landing where ever we want most of the time. What a kick! Thanks for your work.
Back in the late 80's early 90's, there was a guy running contract freight for UPS out of Albany NY in a dc-3...that was painted up in us ww2 army air colors, complete with invasion stripes. Was pretty cool to see. Somewhere I have a picture of it being loaded up, with a brown UPS truck backed up to it.
Thank you very much Mikey a very informative episode you have a future as a very good presenter of aircraft history, and your fathers input is priceless.
Had the great fortune to fly various C-117D's during my time in the Marine Corps. One in particular came off the assembly line as a DC-3, the Navy picked it up as the R4D, it went to the State Department for missions in Africa, and ultimately came to the Corps (MCAS El Toro) after a complete, (practically nut and bolt) restoration at the Naval Air Rework Facility, Norfolk, VA in 1972. After the Corps retired that bird, I transitioned to C-130's. Edit: Semper Fi!
Mikey, another great video. Others have already mention the content and how great it is but I have to say your story telling skills AND production work are amazing! I hope one day you will consider making just one longer production on a subject near and dear to your heart.
Long live the great DC3. may her next birthday be as grand as the first. Keep it up Mikey. And tell your Pop awesome job, looking forward to many more great years of his kind being around
Hi Mikey, thanks for very interesting video on the C-47/DC-3, really miss them here in Christchurch,New Zealand, for sometime after R.N.Z.A.F Wigram closed in 1995, the base was used by Pioneer who operated three C-47/DC-3's ( doing character work) they would fly over our house, loved watching them unfortunately the owners of Wigram closed it as a airfield and Pioneer had to move out, sadly they I think they went out of business not long after. There are still to two C-47/ DC-3 flying in New Zealand one with Warbirds and other with Air Chathams. The DC-3 and C-47 are one of my favorite aircraft.
My first ride on a DC 3 was in 1965 on Mackey Airlines and was approximately 150 yards. The starboard engine caught on fire while taxiing and the pilot ordered everyone out !. I did and took my duffel back to the terminal and waited for another plane. I have flown in DC 3s since then and have developed an affection for them more than any other plane.
The 97 has R4360's, you'd burn about as much as your hauling especially if you have to go out to it range limit. They still use DC-4's and 6's to haul fuel because they don't burn as much. C130's are scarce on the market but would be a good replacement.
A thought on the KC-97. I wonder if anyone will ever restore a Convair B -36 D to flying condition ? I joked about it but maybe someone is nuts enough to do it. One problem on that plane would be tires. I remember the racket those things made from when I was a little kid!
I remember as a kid watching DC3's landing and taking off from the Sarnia, Ontario airport. I remember the name of the company was Great Lakes but everyone called them the Great Shakes Airline lol! Still top of my bucket list to fly in one. I'm afraid if I don't do it soon they will be gone. Here's hoping for another 85 years of service.
In the town I live in on Cape Cod, we have a tiny private airport with grass fields. On the field are 2-3 DC-3 aircrafts that are flown weekly. They look huge on such a small airport. Now I know why the family that owns them worked so tirelessly to restore them. They are really pretty planes. I have taken their Bi-plane up for a ride as well. It’s also a great plane. Sometimes I just sit and wAtch the planes come and go. Great video thanks!!! ✌🏻🇺🇸
Hi Mikey, Its actually all your fault that DC3's are so expensive, saving DTD increased people's awareness, now everyone wants one:-) Keep up the good work.
There's another story about the history of the DC-3. During World War II, they were built in the Soviet Union under license from Douglas. It was known as the Lisunov Li-2. They didn't have the DC-3s avionics, but did have the familiar airframes & engines. I don't know how many Li-2s were built (lots!), but some of them are still in use in the former USSR.
Hey Mikey! I am from Colombia, and until very recently we had a reasonable number of DC-3s flying to remote parts of the country... I even had a chance to fly in one some years ago. Don't know if I can be of any help with some content but if yes let me know! Keep up the good stuff!!
Al Jazeera in 2011 did a fantastic short documentary on DC-3's flying in Colombia. For some reason it seems they took the piece down and can only find two clips from it now ruclips.net/video/zDk8RbItxM0/видео.html & ruclips.net/video/CBmViVqR3BY/видео.html. Hope Al Jazeera repost it (in original length, about 15 minutes). Found another piece from CGTN America from 2014 about DC-3's flying in Colombia as well ruclips.net/video/VIzwER8oflQ/видео.html.
Hey Mikey. There has been a DC-4 sitting at my hometown airport for more than 20 years. Flew in with a sick engine and never left. I’m sure if you contacted the airport manager they’d be happy to get rid of it. She still looks to be in great shape.
Please rescue the one near me. It's sitting in the weather and needs a lot of work. It's all there though. Engines and all. Please come rescue it. Reply for details.
@@MikeyMcBryan There is one being used as a billboard for a skydiving business near off of highway 99 near Stockton, CA too. I believe it is all complete but had en engine failure or fire 15-20 years ago and was never repaired (there is no obvious damage but I was curious and found an incident report about it).
My Mothers favourite aircraft, she worked at Transair UK, in Croydon, back in the late 50's, she flew in a Dc3 on a training flight, and has never stopped talking about it !! I am more of a warbird person, Spits Hurricanes, and Mustangs etc, but have to admit there is something pretty sexy about a DC3
I have a small machine shop and could probably make those $25,000 brake calipers on one of my CNC bedmills, but between the FAA, record keeping, traceability, liability insurance and the threat of lawsuits if my product was on a plane that crashed I would chose not to.
Early in my career in the Air Force I had the privilege to work on a unique DC-3, Pinocchio at Base Flight CFB Cold Lake. A number of CF DC-3's were fitted with a CF-104 radar to train our pilots since dual seat 104s were scarce & flying time short. Pinocchio could take up a substantial load of CF-104 pilots for training on the radar set, stay up for hours & run them all through. At one time there were 3 of these aircraft, Woody Woodpecker, Dolly's Folly & Pinocchio. Sadly one of them crashed but Pinocchio provided countless years & flying hours of service to the CF. She is now on display on base at Cold Lake. DC-3 with a CF-104 nose on her! Apparently she was a few knots faster than her blunt nosed sisters!!!
i used to volunteer at a local museum in geneseo NY. they own and operate a gorgeous C47. i remember there was another DC3 on that property that was ran down and hadnt flown for years. the people at the muesum said they did not own that particular aircraft. their C47 that the operate is known as W7 and it flew back to normandy following the original wasp route used by the women pilots of WWII. perhaps it is time to think about DC3 reproductions? it's such a useful perfect airframe. that cant be replaced in its role. the examples that remain do an excellent job in that role, but it will become more difficult to keep them flying as a for profit aircraft. many have tried to replace the dc3 for decades but the venerable design continues to fill needed roles almost a century after they were built. you CANNOT fix perfect.
Bassler could make an DC-3 from scratch. because they make everything in house. I don't know if its allowed on paper because NEW aircraft have to fullfill modern rules.
KSLC had a DC-3 that sat at the south east corner of the airport for years by the executive terminal (south east of 17/35). As a kid I would admire that plane every time we drove to the airport, or past it. I don't know if the story is true or not, but the rumor is that it was impounded by law enforcement as part of some sort of criminal stuff or investigation. After that it sat for a couple decades and one day disappeared. I have no idea what happened to it.
In response to Dakota Hunters comments about transportation vehicles not lasting 100 years. Look up great Lake freighters. Some of those ships have lasted quite a long time and have been in war(s) as well. Being in fresh water and able to earn their keep has added to their longevity. Cheers Mikey en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_St._Marys_Challenger
I always enjoy your videos when they come up. The DC3 is truly a historic master piece. I live in Wisconsin and am familiar with what Bassler has been doing, and while it's good to see new careers and power plants for the old girls, I hope that there will always be a few old originals around.
In 1974, I was 20 and went to work for Keen out of Fort Nelson. We initially stayed in Fort Nelson at the hotel he owned, the next morning we flew out of Fort Nelson to a bush strip, about 2 hours away on a DC-3 owned by Keen. The seating was rudimentary and cargo was secured by nets in the rear.
when I was in Navy Air in the sixties we had a mail plane flying from my base ..NAS Whidbey Is...to Adak Alaska ... many a night I worked in the sleet and wind changing plugs and magnetos and I cursed the DC3 .. but that was long ago now I'm very glad to see someone is saving some of them .. they are a piece of history that deserves to be remembered
Good evening Mickey , a few years ago I use to work for a ground handling company at Stansted Airport ( STN ) in the UK and quite often I worked in the cargo department on and off loading cargo aircraft which we were handling at the time, one of which I believe Buffalo Airways once operated N447T also had the reg EI-BND I believe which was a converted Canadair CL44 ( Conroy ) which at the time was owned and operated by Heavylift cargo airlines..... I've heard this aircraft is still around after serving with numerous airlines and is now down at Bournemouth airport ( BOH ) ... With this aircrafts load capacity and its connections to Canada would this be a viable asset back at Buffalo Airways ? Yours Sincerely John Harvey.
I love the DC-3 and I genuinely think they’re gonna fly for many more decades to come, but in all seriousness though, we’re really gonna have to start looking for a capable alternative as parts and airframes get scarcer and scarcer. My vote for the DC-3’s successor goes to the DeHavilland Canada Dash-8 Q200.
Excellent presentation. People don't realize aviation is often a bottom up business. No parts, or services for overhauling said components like propellers, engines, starters, vacuum pumps, instruments, struts , brakes , even acquisition of wheels and tires, means you don't fly for very long or not at all. Useful, revenue generating aircraft last the longest.
I grew up directly beneath the eastern approach of KMQS, which is directly across US RT 30 from "Chris Stoltzfus International Airport" 'Runway two-niner, and one half'; Chris was Ken's dad; †Ken Jr., and †Brian, were born in the same hospital as I was.They had large "blue steel drums", aka "Engine containers for the R-1830's". When their aircraft took off, or landed, they would often close what was "Bleeker Road", because the other half of their runway, was across the road from the first half. Even though they were in the air/landing several times per week, Ken's family saturated the neighborhood with Dakota's, but their B-17, "the one that became Aluminum Overcast", was the rarer treat to see. Seven in my neighborhood, including myself, eventually earned their "AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND" ticket. this was largely due to our seeing those 'goonie birds"t; but he rarer treat to see, was the B-17. I remember seeing Klebergs [King Ranch] Trimotor at KMQS, and was awestruck that their was a bar in the back of the aircraft.
I take a little issue with the statement that nothing else in transport will come close to the 100 years of working. There are many steam locomotives in the UK that beat that by some margin. Yes they do still perform a viable function of transport. I will concur that in aviation terms there is only one replacement for the DC3, another DC3 but that really need not be said. And before people jump down my throat, many DC3's have been preserved and still perform a role in transport like many steam locomotives do today.
Douglas Fleetney I think we need to draw a distinction between something that's still in use because of preservationism, or nostalgia value, or because a particular customer can't afford a more efficient replacement, and something that's still hard at work because it's still the best tool for the job. For example, there are 100-year-old cars on the road, but not because a newer car isn't a better car in every way. On the other hand, a lot of craftsmen use 100-year-old hand tools because they're just as good as - and in some cases better than - tools you can go to a store and buy new.
When I was a kid I lived near the local airport. There was a DC 3 that used to fly and then it was parked for about 15 years. It was sad to see it fall apart over the years until it finally disappeared presumably to the scrapheap. I knew even then that a valuable relic was going to waste😥
I flew on a DC3 in 1957 (when I was 7 years old) from Lima, Peru across the Andes mountains (and back) into a place called Tingo Maria onto a dirt strip in the middle of the Amazon jungle. The mountain pass was very close to the ceiling for the airplane, and the steward was offering oxygen to the passengers. Very memorable. Also flew numerous times on the planes in Costa Rica in the 60’s and 70’s, where I lived at the time. They were used for local transport, cargo and passengers. Sometime in the 80’s all those planes disappeared from Costa Rica (including a couple DC6’s that were used for international flights).
Because the DC-3 is unpressurized, the airframe doesn’t go though pressure cycles and any cracking or fatigue will come from aerodynamic forces alone. This is why the airframe can last for so long
Two DC-3s are in the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum which were firstly operated by Air Ceylon and then the Sri Lanka Air Force. I checked the inside of the aircraft too. Looks like still the air frame is in a good condition.
Although not a civilian plane, nor is it a cargo plane, but the B-52 could potentially reach one hundred years of service, too. Sure, not actual airframes, but as an overall type. (Long after the DC-3's 100th anniversary, of course) I absolutely love this type of video, Mikey! Keep the videos coming!
We have a derelict DC-3 at the airport where I received my flight training, been there as long as I can remember. KAWO, you'll spot it on Google Earth, east side of the airport. Looks to be mostly complete with engines, props, and flight control surfaces. I think I remember the exhausts were missing from both engines.
Flew in these while working for the company in Laos and again for a spray operation in Savannah Ga. years later. Great aircraft. Thanks for keeping them alive.
A great Derelict Story is the Beach City Baby, out of Venango County Airport, in Franklin, Pennsylvania. We are restoring a C-53 to its former glory. I think it was already featured on plane saver, but for anyone who doesn't know about it.......now is a good time to learn.
For a plane that came out 85 years ago it has done amazingly well. They got it right.
The only suitable replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3
I was told the same by an old-timer back in the 1980s.
Or a Heinkel with a jumo engine..
I think The only suitable replacement for a DC-3 is a replacement pilot.
I hope I get the chance to fly in one one day.
Nah. There are plenty of replacements.
Daddy, where do old DC3'S go?
They go to work son...... they go to work.
Another most beautiful statemwent. Fred A. Fairbanks
A saying I really liked was: "When the last Boeing 737 goes to the boneyard, the crew that flew it in will fly out on a DC-9. and when the last DC-9 goes to the boneyard, the crew will be flown out on a DC-3!"
true, very true
Perris Valley Skydive has a fully operational DC 9 that they occasionally use for skydiving. They also have a fully operational DC 3 that they also occasionally use for skydiving. You say they are rare; guess it's in how you define 'rare' as there are at least 300 still flying and many others in museums etc. BTW I've jumped out of both at Perris. Jumping out of the ass end of the DC 9 is totally a blast.
@@terrysullivan1992 300 still flying is *rare.*
Wait.. who's flying a DC9.. MD11? They were wrong on this one, 737 will way outlive the DC9.
@@terrysullivan1992 I jumped out of perris in the 80’s and 90’s. Also Mr Douglas when it came out for a visit. Lots of space in the DC3 but slow to altitude.
When I was a young man I was stationed in Thailand as a crew chief on the F-4D Phantom during the Vietnam war. On the base we had 4 Douglas C-47 assigned to our base. I thought they were the most beautiful planes I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t get close to them because it was a restricted area. Several years later I was stationed at Kadena air base, Okinawa. One day a co-worker of mine and I took a right to the other side of the air field and there it was a DC-3. It wasn’t in any condition to fly, no engines or door I felt somewhat sad to see it in this condition. So we pulled up to it, I got out of the truck and climbed into the old DC-3. I’ve always wanted to get up close even more, to be able to fly in one but that never happened. But for that short moment I was happy like a dream come true for me. I could only imagine the countries this airplane flew into. I wish I had a camera that day but who knew I would see a DC-3 on that day this close. After that l read the history on this plane and bought and built a plastic model of it. Now in my late 60’s it’s still my favorite plane. I hope it lives on forever.
The Yankee Airforce Museum near Detroit, MI has a C-47 that you can take a ride on. Its $195 for a 20 min ride.
The time Line of the story and your
Age doesn't sound right. You'd hav't be almost eighty years old
I was at least five years before you
And I'm 71. Plus the fact the DC
3 was and is another crash program design, that to me was
And still is a serious piece of junk.
And that Douglas piece your talking about. The Phantom
@@johnhearn5043 Your comment doesn't make sense. If Batfury is 68 yrs old that means he was 21 in 1973 during the war.
I worked on the "Operation Halfmoon" RC-47s at Udorn RTAFB, 11/68-11/69. The 3 planes were camoflaged, first parked by the 20th SOS choppers, then later moved to the East side of the 555th and 13th's F-4Ds.
@@johnhearn5043 Huh?? MANY Vietnam vets are still in their 60s today...
One reason they are becoming rare and expensive is that the DC-3 hasn't been in production for many decades - When stuff hasn't been produced for a long time, it tends to become rare - like Model - T Fords, Bosco, slide rules, 8 mm movie film, etc. If you want flash bulbs for your outdated film camera equipment, be prepared to spend some "dough" if you can find any !
This is my DC-3 story. In 1960 my parents put me on a DC-3 from Southern California to fly to my Aunt and Uncle's in Northern Cali to spend the summer. I was 10 years old. Well, the plane (DC-3), was a local run that stopped at the San Jose Airport. Just before landing the pilots noticed that one the lights that shows them that the landing gears are locked in place was not functioning. So, they actually foamed the runway for us. One of the stewardesses sat with me during the landing as I was the only child aboard. It was an uneventful landing, perfect! So right away a couple of mechanics came on board and went to the cockpit. A few minutes later they came back out and told us that the lightbulb was burned out and the landing gear was in fact locked in place. I was in love with that stewardess that day. Pretty big experience for a 10 year old. And that is my DC-3 story. Thanks Mikey.
Seeing that Dc 3 being ripped apart hurt :(
I am so glad Mikey pixilated the devastation.
And Mikey was thoughtful to pixelate it... LOL. I have seen the unedited version, it's horrific...
@@planesaversteam571So have i. One day on Facebook it came up and it made me sad lol
Plane Savers Team unfortunately I have seen that unpixilated sort of makes you sick to your stomach to see it.
Sure gave my heart a twinge
Considering that they haven't built them for about 75 years, they're bound to become rare.
Shockingly obvious really.
@@SkYsLiDeR9000 As all too many ideas on RUclips are.
@@user-vb6lq9il5v To be fair, what mikey explained was much more different than i thought. I wouldv thought it was the lowering supply but in reality it was the recent events that jacked up the prices a bit more than usual
@@honkhonk8009 Yes, it's the fact that Bassler is able to re-engine and re-avionic the DC-3 basic airframe that is driving up the costs of even neglected grounded DC-3 into usable commercial aircraft. The low supply of original parts would have killed of the DC-3 commercially, but if you re-engineer all the removable parts, it removes that limitation and creates a new lease of life with a now very old but tough airframe.
@@lindsaycole8409 I can't wait until home manufacturing tech makes it possible to build a plane from scratch in your backyard. : )
Since I was a child I loved theDC3s. In the 60', jets were flying us to vacations around the world. I live very close to Santa Monica airport (The birth place of the Dc3) but never had an apportunity to flying in one yet. That is my bucket list. When I learned about BUFFALO airline reality show, I was so exicited about it. I NEVER missed one episode of this show. My dream is to lean how to fly a twin engines in a DC3 at Buffalo airline. by the way, I already fly single engines.
Mikey, did anyone mention the C-47's that were used in Vietnam for ground suppression? When I was in Da Nang in 1969 these warbirds were lighting up the skies every night. They were called "Puff the Magic Dragon", or "Spooky". I'm sure they had other nicknames I'm not aware of. These planes had a mini gun mounted out the door that fired 6,000 rounds per minute, putting a shell in the ground every 6 square inches wherever they fired (7.62mm). When they fired you could see a solid red line to where they were firing as every 5th round was a tracer. These C-47's were flying so slow it almost seemed like they were in a hover. If you were on the ground and they picked you out you would instantly be swiss cheese. I think every Viet Vet remembers these warbirds doing their thing every night. It was entertainment for us to watch them.
what a bastardized use of such a beneficial machine
@@paulslevinsky580 Pound sand Paul. It was a great way to save our boy's lives. You are obviously a snowflake. Let's get it on Paul.
Excellent video. DC-3 is a beautiful aircraft. I'm not a pilot, but I am a captain. Delivering yachts and doing charters since the 1980's, I am always pleasantly surprised to see DC-3s in the jungle, or pushed off into the edges of remote airfields.
I always hope that someone with deep pockets will make them fly again, and save these planes from being the home of wild life .
Like you said, they belong in the air, not corroding on the ground.
Take care.
I'm glad we still own a few DC3s in New Zealand such an iconic aircraft
AvGeek NZ it was nice to see ZK-JGB pop up in this!
@@ZacYates Hopefully Air Chathams keep the DC3 for may more years same with Flight 2000
@@AvgeekCarGeek So many static airframes too! I hope JGB stays in NZ I haven't seen her yet.
Your presentation about the economics of a DC-3 was very good. I really enjoyed it. My wife's dad flew DC-3's in WWII, and she really appreciates the information. Her dad didn't talk too much about the war, as men of that era kept quiet about their war experiences.
The best comparison might be the B52. Long lived, sturdy, upgradable, and still capable. Thank you for the love lavished on this deserving aircraft. 👍
Tu-95, Mig-21 are also very old. Include the An-2 biplane as well. Still in use for base jumping parachuters, agricultural use, tourist flights, etc. Or the "Tante Ju" Ju-52 [Casa 352] fleet of Swiss...
Go Mikey, I loved Ice Pilots so much I bought the DVDs, bought the hoodie, some t-shirts and a baseball cap. I was a passenger on a DC 3 as a boy in New Zealand in the mid 1960's and there is just nothing like flying in that plane. Just outstanding. Loving your work.
When I served in the USAF, in the late 1970s, I took a flight in a DC3 from Phoenix Az to Flagstaff Az. It was booked through the USAF travel office, as I was traveling to my new duty assignment. I am sorry to say, I didn’t appreciate the experience at the time. I think it was some sort of fluke that this flight was available on the airline schedule, as I think it was a special flight for enthusiasts. I was wearing my dress uniform for my trip to my new station, which made me look like a complete geek, in retrospect. I believe the other people on the airplane thought I was cosplaying. This wasn’t the oldest aircraft I’ve flown on, though. I once got to ride on a Ford Trimotor.
There was a Trimotor giving rides all day long at the EAA last summer. It was already booked for the entire day when I saw it, otherwise I would have been on it. Very cool. 👌
I had the pleasure of flying a scheduled DC-3 service from Caracas to Islas Los Roques Venezuela in the late 1990's. It was perfectly appointed as a passenger airliner, curtains on the windows and everything. Sitting at that tail-dragger angle while on the tarmac, seeing the clouds of exhaust pass through the cabin as they started the big radial motors. Wow. I count myself very lucky.
The DC-3's beauty is in the simplicity of the design. Would be great if some company (Basler?) would start production of all new models of them. Would assume with new technology such aircraft could be built better than ever.
That would likely make zero economical sense. It would need to be built according to very different airworthiness and certification standards than DC-3 was designed for, so effectively development and certification of a completely new plane. That would end up costing about the same as a comparable modern transport plane - but you would be flying an 80+ years old design instead. Not sure that would have a lot of market to justify the investment.
Basler can do what they are doing for the prices they have because they are rebuilding an existing plane, not making a new one. So a lot of things that wouldn't be certifiable/allowed on a new design can get "grandfathered in", saving money.
Jan Ciger agreed i do wonder how they get round the stretching of the original airframe ? There must be a lot more involved to the process
@@JanCiger I seriously doubt or agree with your claim. If an DC-3 with an 70+ y/o airframe can pass an airworthiness test, why shouldn't a new production model using the same design pass?? Not reinventing the wheel, just building a new one that tried & true. Think the licensing of the design with a new manufacture would be the biggest hurdle. Mikey might just be being nice liking my comment, but seems like he agrees with me ;-). Would like to here what Joe or someone from Basler opinion on the subject. Would go on to say that a company built 5 replica German Me-262's (using modern engines) in recent years. Could only imagine if they could do it with a WW2 fighter jet such could be done with a DC-3 that has a very strong utilitarian factor to boot. To be honest I'm no expert on the subject, are you?
@@NesconProductions You don't understand how the regulations work. It is not about any "airworthiness test".
When you are designing an new airplane, you have to get the design as such certified by the regulator (FAA or EASA, for ex). Which impose rules - such as how wiring needs to be done, how fuel tanks have to be designed, how the various annunciations in the cockpit must work, what needs to be redundant and how much, etc. Just look at the problems Boeing has with getting their Max re-certified.
But when you take an old airframe which has been certified before, those rules don't apply. Respectively, only rules which were applicable when the plane was originally certified have to be followed (+ stuff like modern avionics and such which were mandated later).
That's also how you can get DC-3 in the air legally if you rebuild an existing airframe but you would have problems getting the same design certified *for commercial use* if it was a new plane, scratch built.
Your example with Me-262 is not relevant because that's not carrying neither paying passengers nor cargo, i.e. it is not certified for commercial use. That's a big difference between being able to get something in the air (and airworthy) and being able to commercially use it.
@@Stop..carry-on Sure there is. But from what I have understood, Basler has had their mod recertified (they have to do it also because of the different engines). But it is still a rebuild/modification of a DC-3, not a new plane/design, so they didn't need to re-certify the plane according the current standards (which would likely be impossible).
I live in Lassen County, in rural northeastern California. I once saw a DC3 land in little Spalding, next to Eagle Lake. It turned out that the plane is collectively owned by a neighborhood down in the city. Every now and then some of these neighborhood folks will get aboard and go someplace. The day I saw them they had flown to Spalding for a BBQ picnic. They brought everything with them.
Then at the end of the day they packed everything up and flew home. What fun! How enviable!
The B-52 might be able to give the DC-3 a run for its money, in terms of longevity...
That’s always in the back of my mind.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules too.
really want to make the B52 Guys Mad tell them they are flying a plane the US Army approved in 1947 A US Army Air Corps Major is the one who sign on the dotted line and gave the go ahead and the B52 is the last plane flying that started out as a US Army design in the US Airforce they fly
@@fastone942 Well, yes and no. The original XB-52 was to be a straight wing bomber using six Wright T-35 turbo-prop engines. This design was approved by the then U.S. Army Air Force with a contract in June, 1946. When Boeing modified the design to eight Pratt & Whitney XJ-57 pure jet engines and a swept wing, this new configuration was accepted by the now U.S. Air Force on October 27, 1948. There you have it! (information from the book American Combat Planes, by Ray Wagner, 1968 version).
Bonanza and 172 aren't far behind.
Mikey, another great story. The DC3 has always been my favorite plane. My dad was a C46 then C47 crew chief during WW2, stationed in India flying over the “Hump”. Like so many other vets he rarely talked about his experience, but he told me enough to really appreciate what he did. Thank you.
The St Marys Challenger has been hauling on the Great Lakes for 114 years now. It was turned into a barge in 2014 and is now powered by a dedicated tug Prentiss Brown, but I suppose that's no different than swapping rotary for turbine. Not as sexy as a DC-3 though!
Having flown the DC3 and the DC3S with a freight company, I am so grateful they type rated me in the -3. This is by far the sweetest, most forgiving airplane I've ever flown.....in many weather conditions. Again, what a privilege to fly this airplane.....my most coveted type rating. I was also offered a job with Bassler in the Turbine version, but had gotten hired by a major airline.
When I flew out of Pickle Lake, Ontario in the late 80's there used to be some DC3 and DC4 hulls north of Pickle. They called it Webonville and if memory serves me right I think there were 4-5 hulls. I did spend an afternoon and drive up to the old strip and go through the wrecks. Joe might know of the story of Webon and his fleet of DC4's and 3's.:)
Ahhh Weibenville. When NWO bush flying was at its peak.
@@devinspeers3382 True, my uncle flew in Pickle during that time, but I was 20 years too late. I ended up with BearSkin and stayed there 6 years before getting out of the bush.
Dad used to be flown in in the fifties out of Vermillion Bay, Ont. and knew a lot of the gold guys. funny thing is he always had a lot of insurance!! but never bought gold stocks. He had several stories of flying into the area north of Campbell Red Lake with is butt in one plane and his tools in another to fix "something", "anything".
Hey Mikey, I only just recently started watching your channel, and I just want to say thank you. This is why I'm on RUclips. If they put this channel on TV (which they never would) they'd make it a "reality" show with a whole bunch of fake drama and very little info. There's a few of us out here that appreciate the way that you do it!
Happy to have flown on a DC-3 as a bush plane in the 90's our of Smithers BC. Hard to believe that the 380 is going to be the exact opposite of the DC-3 with such a short life span.
Just crazy about the 380... All that R&D $$$ and so few built.
@@raincoast9010 I've flown from Melbourne Australia to London UK return twice, once in a 380 the second time in a 787 and the 380 is in my opinion a far superior aircraft, shame that it's too costly to operate.
I waited all my life to fly one of these beautiful planes. My one and only flight was from Fairbanks to Barter Island Alaska back in 1980. It was my first duty assignment as a 2nd Lt. I was going to Barter Island, one of the DEWLINE sites (BARMAIN). I love the fact that I finally got to fly on one...….no seats, just cargo and nets. The smoothest, slowest flight I have ever taken but certainly the most memorable. Thanks for the memories.....Steve, Wasilla, Alaska
The first airplane I ever flew in (1966) was an Ozark Airlines DC-3. I remember they passed out chewing gum for take off and landing. Wonderful memory.
Ah, yes. The ole chewing gum trick to calm the ears.
I saw a DC 3 airline land at the Houlton, Maine, International airport in 1958 (about) when my cousin flew from Africa to come and live with us to finish his high school in New Brunswick. It was the only one I ever saw t hat actually landed and took off again. Your story was most fascinating. Thanks for telling us.
Wow. Consider my mind blown. I remember in the 70's you could buy a flyable DC3 for $25,000. Of course they were expensive to operate even then but I am sorry I didn't buy one. :-) Thanks
Problem is, $25000 in the 70's is like $100k today. And nobody had any $ due to all the gas crunch and Carter interest rate crap.
Life is full of "if only" moments.
@@robertking3130 Yep. Those momemts haunt us ALL. 😞
Of course, when I was in the Air Force in the 50's and the 60's, the USAF used them. I remember riding in one from Frankfurt to Berlin Tempelhof Airport in 1962 aboard a "Gooney Bird" as we called the C-47. Due to turbulence, it was a bumpy ride, but I loved riding in the Gooney Bird. Never forget it. Long live the DC-3!
First trip in DC3 was as a kid in 1947. Then again in the 1980's from Sandspit in the Queen Charlotte islands to Prince Rupert BC didn't go very high, it isn't pressurized!, and it's only 35 miles. I think the engines were P&W double wasps.
I love big pistons whether on an airframe, a hog, or anything. Mostly on a hog but the airframe too because they hold the engine up for all to see and hear like showing it off. It's cool watching your birds grunting around and getting the inside scoop, seeing how it goes on the inside instead of being just a spectator. For that I thank you Mikey and your dad. DC-3's are so cool. So is that C46 you keep batting across the continent.
When I was in the Marine Corps 40 years ago, they were still flying the C-117 (a later version of the C-47). Later, I worked at McDonnell Douglas as an engineer, designing electronics for them. I'm sure that Douglas's engineers would be very pleased to know that their creation has served the world so well!
Seems like the bean counters at MD would realize the profit potential of supplying new parts.
I do have a DC-3 story! Back in the late 80's or early 90's - sometime between 88 and 94 - there was a guy running contract freight for UPS out of Albany NY in a DC-3. That might not be unusual. But it was painted in WW2 colors, complete with the USAF star and invasion stripes. That was unusual. Somewhere I have a picture of that plane, with a brown UPS truck backed up to it loading packages. Craziest and coolest thing I've seen as far as planes go at that airport.
In the town where I live the DC 3 Daisy has its home. Took part at D-Day and hopefully when the corona is over I will have a trip with it.
7:05 Spitfire MK XVI from Dutch 322 Squadron flown close to the end of WW2 the 5th spit on the frame was fitted with a bubble canopy ( like a P51D) 3W-V does fly again in The Netherlands
Production quality= A....Entertainment value=A....Educational value=A...Editing continuity=A ...Overall Score= A+
Mooore CowBell you’re too kind!!
@@MikeyMcBryan you are setting the standard higher and higher... Thank you for your content.
A few years ago my two sons and myself drove to Hay River from Calgary to fly with Joe. Both him and Mickey where both gracious people.We had a chance to fly in the jump seat behind Joe.When you fly over Great Slave Lake, you know its going to be an adventure on the way to Yellowknife.Thanks.Great people.
Check out Mikeys old Beavis and Butthead Tshirt.......
That proves the photos age lol
@@MikeyMcBryan I had a similar one, probably around 1991? Lol.
heh-heh-heh-heh-heh . . . it doesn't suck!
I lived in a city named Coventry in England and a small airline called Air Atlantique had a DC 3 and a DC 6, I remember seeing them take off and land all the time as lived by the airfield.They went out of business and the planes were sold off, what memories.
I flew in one of them, during an open day at Bagington.
We still flying dc3 in South America especially in difficult places like small towns in the jungle amazons and so on .
@alex p I've seen videos of South American DC-3s flying into some SERIOUSLY unimproved strips. Great stuff! Wright Flyer, USAF (1968-1972).
Are they easier to find?
@@tennesseeboi6704 : you can probably look for one in Colombia 🇨🇴 city Leticia or Villavicencio
@@tennesseeboi6704 :look for this video so you can see how is over there .
(Colombia pilot of the Amazon )
This video reminded me of another DC3 experience. When I worked for GM in Oshawa 1986-1988 I regularly saw a DC-3 fly regularly into Oshawa from the US. It was bringing parts up for factories. This plane may have ended up at Nanaimo airport in the 1990's. It was converted to pick up fresh seafood from northern BC and fly back down south here. I saw it fly a couple times as I live near the Nanaimo airport. I do not know where it ended up, but is not in this area now.
Mikey knows his DC-3 history and economics. The DC-3 is probably the only commercial transport airframe that will continue flying well past 100 years. It might also be one of the first conversion aircraft to hybrid gas (generator) - electric (propeller motors) airframes for air freight operations.
That would be an interesting concept to design and build a hybrid gas electric concept for the DC-3, it would definitely extend the usable service life of the airframe!
@@btrdangerdan2010 Agreed but it would be too quiet ;-D!
Harbour Air in Vancouver are working to certify a Beaver with electric motor. 1st flight was December 2019, they figure it will take another year to get it certified as a commercial aircraft.
@@MikeSiemens88 I'm aware of the Beaver electric / battery prototype. I'm hopeful it will be a good short range commerical float plane.
A hybrid would extend an aircraft (DC-3) range while saving fuel (40+ percent) and maintaining payload performance.
@@DougHanchard Too heavy, the Beaver with the batteries is basically a low load, short distance boutique plane, A new liquid cooled gas engine would increase range, go faster, burn less fuel, and maybe even haul more than those with the radial, but then there is the regulating agencies... The battery Beaver is a step backwards in utility. No, a flying hybrid will likely burn more fuel, there is the little problem of 35-40% loss in battery charging and discharging, plus no regenerating capability, like a car has in braking and deceleration.
Thanks for this great story! I have no need for a DC3 - but there is something romantic about this plane.... I'd love to fly one around the world on adventure! Slow, noisy, rumbling along and landing where ever we want most of the time. What a kick! Thanks for your work.
Glad to see a video other then a livestream. Enjoy these. Miss the daily videos.
Back in the late 80's early 90's, there was a guy running contract freight for UPS out of Albany NY in a dc-3...that was painted up in us ww2 army air colors, complete with invasion stripes. Was pretty cool to see. Somewhere I have a picture of it being loaded up, with a brown UPS truck backed up to it.
Thank you very much Mikey a very informative episode you have a future as a very good presenter of aircraft history, and your fathers input is priceless.
Had the great fortune to fly various C-117D's during my time in the Marine Corps. One in particular came off the assembly line as a DC-3, the Navy picked it up as the R4D, it went to the State Department for missions in Africa, and ultimately came to the Corps (MCAS El Toro) after a complete, (practically nut and bolt) restoration at the Naval Air Rework Facility, Norfolk, VA in 1972. After the Corps retired that bird, I transitioned to C-130's. Edit: Semper Fi!
Mikey, another great video. Others have already mention the content and how great it is but I have to say your story telling skills AND production work are amazing! I hope one day you will consider making just one longer production on a subject near and dear to your heart.
Yes. I will be making something a little more longer when things settle down :). Thank you for all the support Paul!!
Long live the great DC3. may her next birthday be as grand as the first. Keep it up Mikey. And tell your Pop awesome job, looking forward to many more great years of his kind being around
Hi Mikey, thanks for very interesting video on the C-47/DC-3, really miss them here in Christchurch,New Zealand, for sometime after R.N.Z.A.F Wigram closed in 1995, the base was used by Pioneer who operated three C-47/DC-3's ( doing character work) they would fly over our house, loved watching them unfortunately the owners of Wigram closed it as a airfield and Pioneer had to move out, sadly they I think they went out of business not long after. There are still to two C-47/ DC-3 flying in New Zealand one with Warbirds and other with Air Chathams. The DC-3 and C-47 are one of my favorite aircraft.
My first ride on a DC 3 was in 1965 on Mackey Airlines and was approximately 150 yards. The starboard engine caught on fire while taxiing and the pilot ordered everyone out !. I did and took my duffel back to the terminal and waited for another plane. I have flown in DC 3s since then and have developed an affection for them more than any other plane.
Ever thought of doing a plane savers on a KC-97 to haul avgas to where you'd need it? Probably way too expensive, but just a thought
The 97 has R4360's, you'd burn about as much as your hauling especially if you have to go out to it range limit. They still use DC-4's and 6's to haul fuel because they don't burn as much. C130's are scarce on the market but would be a good replacement.
A thought on the KC-97. I wonder if anyone will ever restore a Convair B -36 D to flying condition ? I joked about it but maybe someone is nuts enough to do it. One problem on that plane would be tires. I remember the racket those things made from when I was a little kid!
I remember as a kid watching DC3's landing and taking off from the Sarnia, Ontario airport. I remember the name of the company was Great Lakes but everyone called them the Great Shakes Airline lol! Still top of my bucket list to fly in one. I'm afraid if I don't do it soon they will be gone. Here's hoping for another 85 years of service.
What a piece of history, and an amazing aircraft. I was lucky enough to get to be around them and fly on them in Vietnam.
In the town I live in on Cape Cod, we have a tiny private airport with grass fields. On the field are 2-3 DC-3 aircrafts that are flown weekly. They look huge on such a small airport. Now I know why the family that owns them worked so tirelessly to restore them. They are really pretty planes. I have taken their Bi-plane up for a ride as well. It’s also a great plane. Sometimes I just sit and wAtch the planes come and go.
Great video thanks!!!
✌🏻🇺🇸
Hi Mikey, Its actually all your fault that DC3's are so expensive, saving DTD increased people's awareness, now everyone wants one:-) Keep up the good work.
There's another story about the history of the DC-3. During World War II, they were built in the Soviet Union under license from Douglas. It was known as the Lisunov Li-2. They didn't have the DC-3s avionics, but did have the familiar airframes & engines. I don't know how many Li-2s were built (lots!), but some of them are still in use in the former USSR.
Hey Mikey! I am from Colombia, and until very recently we had a reasonable number of DC-3s flying to remote parts of the country... I even had a chance to fly in one some years ago. Don't know if I can be of any help with some content but if yes let me know! Keep up the good stuff!!
Al Jazeera in 2011 did a fantastic short documentary on DC-3's flying in Colombia. For some reason it seems they took the piece down and can only find two clips from it now ruclips.net/video/zDk8RbItxM0/видео.html & ruclips.net/video/CBmViVqR3BY/видео.html. Hope Al Jazeera repost it (in original length, about 15 minutes). Found another piece from CGTN America from 2014 about DC-3's flying in Colombia as well ruclips.net/video/VIzwER8oflQ/видео.html.
@@NesconProductions thanks!!! It would be great to see it if they upload them again!
Hey Mikey. There has been a DC-4 sitting at my hometown airport for more than 20 years. Flew in with a sick engine and never left. I’m sure if you contacted the airport manager they’d be happy to get rid of it. She still looks to be in great shape.
Great stuff - I really enjoyed the back story aspect of this one!
Thanks bud!!!
Cause they are really old and have been scraped!
I appreciate your stories of the DC-3's. It was the first airplane I rode on as a passenger in the early 70's and was always my favorite.
Please rescue the one near me. It's sitting in the weather and needs a lot of work. It's all there though. Engines and all. Please come rescue it. Reply for details.
Interesting!! Where is it?
@@MikeyMcBryan Indiana Military Museum, Vincennes, Indiana. They have a couple old birds sitting there, Ill send you some pics on your Facebook.
@@garrittpwl I hope she's rescued.
@@garrittpwl Was she rescued?
@@MikeyMcBryan There is one being used as a billboard for a skydiving business near off of highway 99 near Stockton, CA too. I believe it is all complete but had en engine failure or fire 15-20 years ago and was never repaired (there is no obvious damage but I was curious and found an incident report about it).
Having been on the DC3 Warbird that operates out of Auckland, NZ a few times, there is nothing like the sound of radial engines. Awesome.
You made me cry.Again Dc3 forever!
My Mothers favourite aircraft, she worked at Transair UK, in Croydon, back in the late 50's, she flew in a Dc3 on a training flight, and has never stopped talking about it !! I am more of a warbird person, Spits Hurricanes, and Mustangs etc, but have to admit there is something pretty sexy about a DC3
Is it not worth investing some money in equipment to make DC3 parts, at those prices?
Basler is now re-manufacturing a lot of the high use parts.
I have a small machine shop and could probably make those $25,000 brake calipers on one of my CNC bedmills, but between the FAA, record keeping, traceability, liability insurance and the threat of lawsuits if my product was on a plane that crashed I would chose not to.
@@MikeyMcBryan Basler should just straight up make new DC-3s
Early in my career in the Air Force I had the privilege to work on a unique DC-3, Pinocchio at Base Flight CFB Cold Lake. A number of CF DC-3's were fitted with a CF-104 radar to train our pilots since dual seat 104s were scarce & flying time short. Pinocchio could take up a substantial load of CF-104 pilots for training on the radar set, stay up for hours & run them all through. At one time there were 3 of these aircraft, Woody Woodpecker, Dolly's Folly & Pinocchio. Sadly one of them crashed but Pinocchio provided countless years & flying hours of service to the CF. She is now on display on base at Cold Lake. DC-3 with a CF-104 nose on her! Apparently she was a few knots faster than her blunt nosed sisters!!!
i used to volunteer at a local museum in geneseo NY. they own and operate a gorgeous C47. i remember there was another DC3 on that property that was ran down and hadnt flown for years. the people at the muesum said they did not own that particular aircraft. their C47 that the operate is known as W7 and it flew back to normandy following the original wasp route used by the women pilots of WWII.
perhaps it is time to think about DC3 reproductions? it's such a useful perfect airframe. that cant be replaced in its role. the examples that remain do an excellent job in that role, but it will become more difficult to keep them flying as a for profit aircraft.
many have tried to replace the dc3 for decades but the venerable design continues to fill needed roles almost a century after they were built.
you CANNOT fix perfect.
Bassler could make an DC-3 from scratch. because they make everything in house.
I don't know if its allowed on paper because NEW aircraft have to fullfill modern rules.
KSLC had a DC-3 that sat at the south east corner of the airport for years by the executive terminal (south east of 17/35). As a kid I would admire that plane every time we drove to the airport, or past it. I don't know if the story is true or not, but the rumor is that it was impounded by law enforcement as part of some sort of criminal stuff or investigation. After that it sat for a couple decades and one day disappeared. I have no idea what happened to it.
In response to Dakota Hunters comments about transportation vehicles not lasting 100 years. Look up great Lake freighters. Some of those ships have lasted quite a long time and have been in war(s) as well. Being in fresh water and able to earn their keep has added to their longevity. Cheers Mikey
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_St._Marys_Challenger
What an awesome channel! I love war birds, flying in them, hunting wreaks etc. Fantastic to see a family business like this too.
It seems to me that the DC3 have replaced the DC3 replacements, right?
Basically it outlasted them and found new ways to work when it got replaced.
I always enjoy your videos when they come up. The DC3 is truly a historic master piece. I live in Wisconsin and am familiar with what Bassler has been doing, and while it's good to see new careers and power plants for the old girls, I hope that there will always be a few old originals around.
OMG, love the Beavis & Butthead T-Shirt Mikey!!
In 1974, I was 20 and went to work for Keen out of Fort Nelson. We initially stayed in Fort Nelson at the hotel he owned, the next morning we flew out of Fort Nelson to a bush strip, about 2 hours away on a DC-3 owned by Keen. The seating was rudimentary and cargo was secured by nets in the rear.
Gold is being pulled out of the ground every day.
DC3's on the other hand are returning to the ground
when I was in Navy Air in the sixties we had a mail plane flying from my base ..NAS Whidbey Is...to Adak Alaska ... many a night I worked in the sleet and wind changing plugs and magnetos and I cursed the DC3 .. but that was long ago now I'm very glad to see someone is saving some of them .. they are a piece of history that deserves to be remembered
Good evening Mickey , a few years ago I use to work for a ground handling company at Stansted Airport ( STN ) in the UK and quite often I worked in the cargo department on and off loading cargo aircraft which we were handling at the time, one of which I believe Buffalo Airways once operated N447T also had the reg EI-BND I believe which was a converted Canadair CL44 ( Conroy ) which at the time was owned and operated by Heavylift cargo airlines..... I've heard this aircraft is still around after serving with numerous airlines and is now down at Bournemouth airport ( BOH ) ... With this aircrafts load capacity and its connections to Canada would this be a viable asset back at Buffalo Airways ?
Yours Sincerely
John Harvey.
I love the DC-3 and I genuinely think they’re gonna fly for many more decades to come, but in all seriousness though, we’re really gonna have to start looking for a capable alternative as parts and airframes get scarcer and scarcer. My vote for the DC-3’s successor goes to the DeHavilland Canada Dash-8 Q200.
Hello from England Mikey
Confirmed 1st Comment
@@MikeyMcBryan 🙂👍
Excellent presentation. People don't realize aviation is often a bottom up business. No parts, or services for overhauling said components like propellers, engines, starters, vacuum pumps, instruments, struts , brakes , even acquisition of wheels and tires, means you don't fly for very long or not at all. Useful, revenue generating aircraft last the longest.
Watching that airframe being ripped apart was effing painful.
I was the guy who sold that DC-3 to scrap, I sold 4 more in 2 months. A decade ago scrap was through the roof. I wished I would've hung on to them.
9:22 god that’s awful
I grew up directly beneath the eastern approach of KMQS, which is directly across US RT 30 from "Chris Stoltzfus International Airport" 'Runway two-niner, and one half'; Chris was Ken's dad; †Ken Jr., and †Brian, were born in the same hospital as I was.They had large "blue steel drums", aka "Engine containers for the R-1830's". When their aircraft took off, or landed, they would often close what was "Bleeker Road", because the other half of their runway, was across the road from the first half.
Even though they were in the air/landing several times per week, Ken's family saturated the neighborhood with Dakota's, but their B-17, "the one that became Aluminum Overcast", was the rarer treat to see. Seven in my neighborhood, including myself, eventually earned their "AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND" ticket. this was largely due to our seeing those 'goonie birds"t; but he rarer treat to see, was the B-17. I remember seeing Klebergs [King Ranch] Trimotor at KMQS, and was awestruck that their was a bar in the back of the aircraft.
I take a little issue with the statement that nothing else in transport will come close to the 100 years of working. There are many steam locomotives in the UK that beat that by some margin. Yes they do still perform a viable function of transport. I will concur that in aviation terms there is only one replacement for the DC3, another DC3 but that really need not be said. And before people jump down my throat, many DC3's have been preserved and still perform a role in transport like many steam locomotives do today.
Douglas Fleetney I think we need to draw a distinction between something that's still in use because of preservationism, or nostalgia value, or because a particular customer can't afford a more efficient replacement, and something that's still hard at work because it's still the best tool for the job. For example, there are 100-year-old cars on the road, but not because a newer car isn't a better car in every way. On the other hand, a lot of craftsmen use 100-year-old hand tools because they're just as good as - and in some cases better than - tools you can go to a store and buy new.
When I was a kid I lived near the local airport. There was a DC 3 that used to fly and then it was parked for about 15 years. It was sad to see it fall apart over the years until it finally disappeared presumably to the scrapheap. I knew even then that a valuable relic was going to waste😥
DC3
I flew on a DC3 in 1957 (when I was 7 years old) from Lima, Peru across the Andes mountains (and back) into a place called Tingo Maria onto a dirt strip in the middle of the Amazon jungle. The mountain pass was very close to the ceiling for the airplane, and the steward was offering oxygen to the passengers. Very memorable. Also flew numerous times on the planes in Costa Rica in the 60’s and 70’s, where I lived at the time. They were used for local transport, cargo and passengers. Sometime in the 80’s all those planes disappeared from Costa Rica (including a couple DC6’s that were used for international flights).
Because the DC-3 is unpressurized, the airframe doesn’t go though pressure cycles and any cracking or fatigue will come from aerodynamic forces alone. This is why the airframe can last for so long
Two DC-3s are in the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum which were firstly operated by Air Ceylon and then the Sri Lanka Air Force. I checked the inside of the aircraft too. Looks like still the air frame is in a good condition.
The run up starting at 0:47,, oh, oh,, that sound so sweet !!! Hundreds of flights in 3's and 47s. Music to start my Sunday. Thanks !
That first dc3 you showed for $900k, is now $775k. And another now for sale for $200+k.
Although not a civilian plane, nor is it a cargo plane, but the B-52 could potentially reach one hundred years of service, too. Sure, not actual airframes, but as an overall type. (Long after the DC-3's 100th anniversary, of course) I absolutely love this type of video, Mikey! Keep the videos coming!
We have a derelict DC-3 at the airport where I received my flight training, been there as long as I can remember. KAWO, you'll spot it on Google Earth, east side of the airport. Looks to be mostly complete with engines, props, and flight control surfaces. I think I remember the exhausts were missing from both engines.
Flew in these while working for the company in Laos and again for a spray operation in Savannah Ga. years later. Great aircraft. Thanks for keeping them alive.
A great Derelict Story is the Beach City Baby, out of Venango County Airport, in Franklin, Pennsylvania. We are restoring a C-53 to its former glory. I think it was already featured on plane saver, but for anyone who doesn't know about it.......now is a good time to learn.