 MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER Happy Memorial Day DC-3 Society members! It is with the greatest pleasure that I start my first newsletter with this solemn occasion. The spring flowers have bloomed and are ripening into summer fruit; air show season is upon us and it's time to be sharing those fruits: our beloved airplanes with their priceless histories, the joy of community, and setting alight the passion of flight within the hearts of future generations. What we do today, however, cannot have been done without those who have gone before. Permit your new editor an indulgence: As I write, I'm currently sitting on the ramp by the B-29 "FIFI," on a rare clammy May day. However, as I savor the engine runup (there's no flights today), I'm in a position of admiration. For many others eight decades ago, the sound of these engines signaled true liberation, carrying young men who - despite their fears - carried their duties with nary a blink. For those in need of liberty, they gave their own lives, for no greater love has no one than this. The blood of many nations mingle in the same soil together for that common cause, an irrevocable bond of brotherhood, and we - their descendants - are bound to carry that same message. The diversity of the DC-3 Society reflects that. What a blessing it is to be stewards of such priceless history! And history is still being made - you only have to read on to see. Blue skies, Savannah Bess Send your news, photos, questions, comments, and everything in-between to globalmedia@dc3society.org  DC-3 Society Operators Conference & ShowcaseThe wait is over—we’re excited to officially announce the dates for the inaugural DC-3 Society Operators Conference & Showcase! 📍 December 4–6 This first-of-its-kind gathering will unite DC-3 owners, operators, crew members, historians, enthusiasts, and the broader aviation community for a multi-day experience celebrating the aircraft, the people who keep it flying, and the next generation inspired by its legacy. The event will feature a unique combination of operator collaboration, aircraft showcases, educational opportunities, community engagement, and youth-focused programming designed to make this an annual destination event for the DC-3 community. Event ScheduleFriday, December 4
Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, December 6 (Half Day)
This event is being built by the community, for the community—and we cannot wait to welcome everyone together for this historic inaugural year. 🎟️ Event registration and ticketing information will be released soon. If you are interested in supporting the event through volunteer involvement, expertise, partnerships, or participation, please contact Lyndse Costabile directly at lyndse@dc3society.org.   DC-3 Society at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026Planning efforts are officially underway for the DC-3 Society’s participation at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, and we are calling on DC-3 operators, organizations, and community supporters to help us build another unforgettable presence for the world’s most iconic transport aircraft. To support coordination efforts, operators are being asked to complete the official participation and planning form as soon as possible. Information gathered will assist with:
 NOW BOARDING: THE NEXT GENERATION OF AVIATORS & STEM LEADERSThe future of aviation depends on the next generation of dreamers, builders, maintainers, pilots, engineers, and innovators — and there’s still time for students to apply for two incredible scholarship opportunities through our collab org, Aviation Influence, Inc. (AVi). More than $5,500 in scholarship awards, supplies, mentorship opportunities, aviation experiences, and industry recognition are available to support students pursuing aviation and STEAM pathways. These scholarships are designed to encourage young people who demonstrate initiative, leadership, perseverance, curiosity, and a passion for flight and aerospace. Beyond financial support, recipients may also receive mentorship opportunities, aviation industry connections, AVi swag, and recognition alongside aviation professionals and community leaders. As a global aviation community passionate about preserving history while inspiring the future, we encourage our DC-3 Society family and supporters to help spread the word and share these opportunities with aspiring aviators, cadets, students, educators, and youth aviation programs worldwide. 🌎✈️ If you know an applicant who could benefit from these opportunities — or if you yourself are interested in pursuing aviation or STEAM pathways — we encourage you to apply today. 📍 Apply at: AviationInfluence.org   DC-3 Aircraft Wanted – Buyers Actively Seeking OpportunitiesWe are currently hearing from several serious buyers in the market for a DC-3 or variant aircraft, with interest spanning a range of configurations. Prospective owners are actively seeking:
If you are aware of an aircraft available for sale—or if you have ever considered listing your own—this is an excellent opportunity to connect with qualified buyers.
As an active member, you are invited to list your DC-3 at no cost through our network. Listings are shared across our global audience, including an engaged email distribution of 5,000+ industry professionals, operators, and enthusiasts.
Our community continues to play a vital role in keeping these historic aircraft flying, and facilitating these connections is an important part of that mission.
Interested in listing? Contact lyndse@dc3society.org with your aircraft details, listing information, and photos. Spirit of Douglas Takes Flight Again
The team of Spirit of Douglas finally have their wings back after being grounded since March, after an inspection that required diligent attention and a shipment of a new engine from the United States. They remained in Christchurch and took this as an opportunity for community outreach and education about the DC-3. During the week of May 13th, the engine swap was completed, an initial fifteen-minute flight was undertaken, adjustments were made, and Spirit was ready to go! She took to the skies, flying the coastline from Christchurch to Omaka, continuing on her World Cruiser Tour and demonstrating yet another example of the expertise, wisdom, and care that goes into these airplanes. Keep an eye on their website to read their tour blog, plus a link to the FlightAware tracking app to find everywhere Spirit of Douglas has gone - and where she'll be at next!  Hap-Penstance Also On the Move! Additionally, there's yet another beloved bird back in the skies! The C-41A Hap-Penstance - General "Hap" Arnold's personal ride - is winging her way out of Coventry to her new base of Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport. With the closure of Coventry comes the closing of nine decades of aviation history; but as it sunsets, Hap and other aircraft are taking that history with them, as her new chapter begins.   Photos by Andy O'Dell PH-PBA Expo at Aviodrome   A quick heads up on PH-PBA, the former DDA Classic Airlines DC-3, now owned by the Aviodrome museum. Currently, the museum volunteers are hard at work to prepare the aircraft for exhibition inside the museum. It will be an very unusual exposition where several stories about her 82 year-history can be told. One will be the story of her days as ‘Royal Transport’ for the Dutch Royal family during the late 40-ties and 50-ties. Being a genuine D-Day and Market Garden C-47 veteran, that story will be told as well! The whole right hand side of PH-PBA is now being ‘transformed’ into her original Market Garden- color scheme from September 1944, the days when she flew from Cottesmore as 42-100971. The cabin will also exactly be splitted in half: left the luxurious passenger configuration, on the right the spartan paratrooper bucket seats. Attached a few recent pictures of the process, still much work to do! Photos and story by Paul van den Berg WWII Airborne Demonstration Team |
