December 17: DC-3 First Flight Anniversary

December 16, 2010 — This past year EAA and the aviation world celebrated the 75th anniversary of the DC-3’s first flight – which in fact took place 75 years ago this week, on December 17, 1935, from the Santa Monica Airport, California. That maiden flight was made specifically on that date to coincide with the 32nd anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight. At AirVenture 2010, EAA conducted a number of activities, featuring speakers, programs, and a massive 21-ship fly-over to honor the DC-3. Below are several links to the AirVenture highlights of our summer celebration and the history of this aviation icon.

AirVenture Today:

• Nearly two dozen DC-3s rumble over Oshkosh

Photo:

•  DC-3 Arrivals at AirVenture photo gallery

Video:

• Alexander's DC-3 video
• Ice Pilots: Buffalo Airways' DC-3s
• The C-47

Theater in the Woods: Video

• 75th anniversary of the DC-3 Part 1
• 75th anniversary of the DC-3 Part 2

Theater in the Woods: Audio

• DC-3 Anniversary Part 1
• DC-3 Anniversary Part 2
• DC-3 Anniversary Part 3
• DC-3 Anniversary Part 4

EAA Radio Interviews:

• Buffalo Airways - Ice Pilots - Part 1
• Buffalo Airways - Ice Pilots - Part2
• Buffalo Airways - Ice Pilots - Part 3
• SMSgt Guy Balistreri: Maintaining the aging C-47 in Vietnam

Webinar:

• Webinar - Flying the DC-3

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