This book presents an overview of the development and operational use of the ‘Douglas DC-3’ with many photos and illustrations. Following on from the epoch-making DC-2 technology, the DC-3 is generally considered the greatest single commercial transport plane in history, and certainly the most famous. Indeed, the DC-3 revolutionized air travel to an extent not equaled until the arrival of the jet age.

Many of these revolutions related to safety; thanks to the DC-3’s reputation for reliability, air travel insurance finally became available to the general public in 1937. This is the airliner that not only made flying respectable but enabled the emerging aviation industry to end its reliance on mail subsidies and profit from passenger journeys.

DC-3 is still flying eight decades after their first debut - this book is a tribute to its brilliant design.