Happy February!

 

As we slowly move out of the cold winter and into flying season, DC-3s around the world are defrosting. In this month's newsletter, we have a series of updates on aircraft that are flying, being restored, or hoping to be saved. It's so wonderful to be able to share these updates with a community of individuals who care so much about keeping the legendary DC-3 flying!

 

Clear skies,

Maria J. Morrison

Have questions, comments, or ideas? Email globalmedia@dc3society.org

DC-3 Society
2474 Walnut St. #185
Cary, NC 27518
 

Help Us Name History in the Making
 

The First DC-3 Society Fly-In & Showcase

Mid-August 2026 | Flabob Airport (RIR)

(Full event details coming in March)

 

The DC-3 didn’t just change aviation — it changed the world. This August, for the first time, DC-3s will gather under the banner of the DC-3 Society for an official Fly-In & Showcase at Flabob Airport — a field known for honoring vintage aircraft, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of classic flight. And before we unveil the full program, aircraft lineup, and schedule in March…we need a name worthy of this moment.

 

Not just for this year.
For every year to follow.

And we want our members to create it.

 

The DC-3 Society Naming Challenge

We are inviting all members to submit a name for what will become our annual DC-3 Society Fly-In.

 

We’re looking for something that feels:

  • Timeless

  • Heritage-inspired

  • Aviation-authentic

  • Community-driven

  • Built to resonate for generations

This is more than branding.

This is tradition in the making.

 

The Founding Recognition

The selected name will become the official title of our annual event — and the member who submits it will receive:

  • Recognition as the Founding Naming Contributor

  • VIP acknowledgment at the inaugural mid-August gathering at Flabob Airport (RIR)

  • Limited-edition DC-3 Society merchandise

  • Commemorative certificate

  • Spotlight feature in the newsletter and online

Your contribution becomes part of DC-3 Society history.

 

How to Enter

Active members, please submit:

  • Your proposed event name

  • A brief (1–2 sentence) explanation of why it fits

  • Your name and any aircraft affiliation

Submission Deadline: March 30, 2026

Email your submission to: membership@dc3society.org

Top entries may be shared with membership prior to final selection.

We’re excited to be supporting and covering many major DC-3 and C-47 movements as aircraft emerge from winter restoration and prepare for an active year ahead.

 

Greatest Generation Aircraft's C-49J "Southern Cross" is working hard to get to EAA AirVenture this year. If you'd like to support their efforts, visit: Support Here

 

We’re also keeping our eyes on the Kansas City Airline History Museum’s DC-3, N1945. NC1945 was built in Santa Monica, California, in February 1941, and was delivered to Transcontinental and Western Airlines (TWA) in March 1941. She is one of the very few existing DC-3s with the rare 24-passenger, 8-window configuration. Most DC-3s are the 21-passenger, 7-window configuration. This airplane flew with TWA for 11 years, then spent was in use and storage until the museum restored it in 1993. Now, the museum is struggling with the city regarding their hangar lease and the fate of their aircraft. Hopefully, things will turn out for the best for the museum and this DC-3.

 

We're also keeping track of DC-3s on the continent. Over the next few months we'll be highlighting aircraft in the Netherlands, which boasts eight complete airframes and a couple of detached noses spread across the small country. Follow our deep dive into these European birds on our social media channels!

 

We look forward to sharing more updates as these legendary aircraft take to the skies throughout 2026.

 

* Photo Below: Karolina Marek, Society media member and photographer, Southern Cross C-49J
 

Spirit of Douglas World Tour

 

Our friends at the Spirit of Douglas were plagued by a cracked cylinder this month, which left them doing radial repairs under the hot Indian sun. That's right, India. The aircraft is on its World Cruiser Tour, trekking around the globe in honor of the DC-3s incredible worldwide legacy.
 

Dutch Dakotas - part 1

Photos and story Paul van den Berg 

DC-3 N1944 (later N760) while ​flying for Union Oil Company of California. (eBay photo)

C-53C Skytrooper ‘Darlin' Dorien’ in the collection of the Bevrijdende Vleugels Museum / Wings of Liberation Museum in Best near Eindhoven. This museum is located on one of the actual drop zones used by the 101st Airborne Division in Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

First: the markings on this Gooney are purely fictional: Her tail serial ’290321’ is simply the birthday of the founder of the museum Jan Driessen: 29-03-21 (European style). The ‘D’ stands for Driessen and ‘Dorien’ is his daughter. A true family affair!

Built at Long Beach in 1942 and intended for Northwest Airlines as Douglas DC-3A-453 NC30025 (c/n 4978) she went instead to the USAAF as a C-53C Skytrooper with USAAF serial 43-2022. She stayed in the US and was converted back to DC-3A standard in 1945 and as N33315 Continental Airlines became her first civil operator. A long civilian career had begun…

 

Read more on our social media!

 
 

Spotlight: "Animal Crackers" DC-3

Photos and info Michael Prophet
Florida Air Cargo, Inc. (FAC), based now at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), operated a fleet of Beech B18s and DC-3 freighters on daily flights to South Florida region and Nassau Bahamas in the 80s and early 90s.  
 
During my first visit in August 1999, FAC operated two DC-3s: N123DZ and N15MA. The cargo market was booming and two other DC-3s, N81B and N130D, remained on standby status.
 
Each member of the FAC fleet carried different colors, inherited from their previous owners. N130D stood out; it was painted a crazy livery, which I had not seen before. The artwork known as ‘Animal Crackers’ represented a string of wild animal Jungle- theme, consisting of a bear, camel, giraffe, tiger and gorilla painted on both side of the fuselage. According to the previous owner the artwork was applied during her time with Academy Airlines for a proposed TV series.
 
N130D (c/n 19800) was built as a C-47A-80-DL and delivered with s/n 43-15334 in March 1944. It served with the 8th/9th AF, 45 TCS and took part in operation ‘Neptune’ and ‘Market Garden’, later with 61 TCG – ATCO. After WW2 it served with Ozark Airlines (1953) as N130D and the aircraft was conv to a passenger configuration including a RH passenger door. In 1970 it was sold to GRR investment Corp and N130D was converted to a cargo ship with a LH side ‘C-47’ cargo door. Later she served with Academy Airlines and Pro-Air Freight.
 
Its LH wing and tail was badly damaged when hurricane Charley (2004) struck Punta Gorda airfield where N130D was in storage. She still lingers on, residing in the overgrown bush at Shell Creek air strip Florida, hoping on a miracle.
 

EPISODE 8 IS HERE

 

Spirit of Douglas Odyssey - Episode 8 - Living Memory.
The team reaches Europe in time to honour the memory of those who fought at Normandy, flying a moving tribute over the D-Day beaches. But as emotion runs high, the crew receive an unexpected phone call. WATCH NOW!
Get Your Event Published!


If you'd like us to publish your event on the DC-3 Society website events page, please make sure to send details of the event in advance to: globalmedia@dc3society.org
 

Do you know a company interested in becoming an Affiliate Partner to the DC-3 Society?

 

Please share this link to have them join us, be recognized, their products and services amplified across our membership, and invited to our events:

Join As An Affiliate Partner Today!
 

Still in the Store!


Commemorative coins, shirts, hats, and flight patches are available! Don’t miss your chance to lock down exclusive 90th Anniversary and DC-3 merchandise while supporting and celebrating this legendary aircraft.

 

Get online, gear up, and join us in honoring aviation history! Shop today: SHOP HERE
 
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