Yesterday I had pictures of a slew of distinguished guests and legendary aviators who visited the CAF SoCal hangar on Saturday. One of them, Clay Lacy, flew over from Van Nuys in his absolutely stunning DC-3.
The DC-3 was the first true workhorse commercial aircraft. There had been commercial aviation before the DC-3, notably with the DC-1, DC-2, Boeing 247, and the Ford Tri-Motor, but the DC-3 became as commonplace as 737’s are today. Over 450 were built for the commercial airlines of the late 1930s, but for World War II over 10,000 were built as C-47 cargo and troop transport aircraft. Even now, over seventy years later, there are still commercial airlines flying the DC-3, even in the United States and Canada.
Clay’s DC-3 has been meticulously restored, with an interior that would rival any luxury aircraft of its era. It is a joy to see in the air and a treat to tour the interior.
