Aircraft Was "Major Stepping-Stone" In Commercial Aviation Progress

Exactly 100 years after the first successful airplane flight, Continental Airlines donated its award-winning, historic, 63-year-old DC-3 (file photo of type, right) aircraft to the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston (TX).

"The DC-3 was a major stepping-stone in the development of today’s amazing commercial aviation system,” said Continental Chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune.  “We are proud to help preserve a bit of aviation history on the occasion of the Centennial of Flight.  And giving away our antique aircraft at this time helps to drive home the point that we really do have one of the youngest fleets in the business."

Manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica (CA) in 1940, this aircraft has a storied history.  After serving in the American Airlines fleet for seven years, the aircraft was acquired by Trans-Texas Airways, a predecessor of today’s Continental Airlines.  The DC-3 later flew routes in New England for Provincetown-Boston Airlines, and was reacquired and restored in ‘50s-vintage colors by Continental in 1989.  Since then, the aircraft has attended many air shows, winning prizes including "Grand Champion Antique Air Transport" at the 1997 EAA Convention and Airshow in Oshkosh (WI).

FMI: www.lsfm.org