1940 DOUGLAS DC-3 “TURKISH DELIGHT”

The twin-engine, tail-dragger passenger plane DC-3, developed by the U.S. based Douglas Aircraft Company as a more capacious version of its DC-2 model, revolutionized the air transportation in 1930s and 1940s. When it took its first flight on December 17, 1935, its speed, economy and high passenger caught the eye of many airlines.

The Douglas DC-3 (serial no: 2204) owned by the M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum, began its commercial career with the name “Flagship Cleveland” in 1940. As America entered the Second World War, it was assigned to to the U.S. Air Force (USAAF) and flew to Europe. During this transfer flight, it stopped to refuel on South Greenland, where its airmen spotted a nearby German submarine, which they damaged by lobbing grenades from the aircraft’s dismantled door. This aircraft thereby became the first and the only DC-3 to be used as a bomber.

After the war, the aircraft was purchased by Trans Texas Airlines. Then, it continued to fly at Provincetown-Boston Airlines in 1971 and Champlain Air Company in 1992. DC-3 was bought by Swiss-centered Super Constellation Flyers Association in 2009, and it continued to fly as it was sponsored by Breitling. In 2017, it accomplished a world tour with the sponsorship of Breitling and it acquired the title of “the oldest plane to travel all around the world”. In this world tour, it flew 45.400 km for 258 hours and accomplished 147 land and lift-offs. Besides, this special aircraft flew to 27 countries and 62 cities with 1022 passengers from many different countries. It also flew at the airshows world-wide and it had a role as a movie and a TV star in various films and documentaries

This “still flying” DC-3 was brought to the collection of M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum in March 2019.

This legendary plane’s name became “Turkish Delight” and it took its place in Turkish skies.

In total, 16.079 DC-3s have been produced by Douglas Aircraft Company. However, today only 100 of these aircrafts are functional in flight and unfortunately this number is declining.

Douglas DC-3 “Turkish Delight” was brought to M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum by Ali İsmet ÖZTÜRK and Kamuran KESKİN.

Turkish State Airlines / DHY DC-3

Turkish State Airlines / DHY DC-3

Specifications:

LENGTH

HEIGHT

WING SPAN

ENGINE

Stall Speed

Horse Power

Propeller

CRUISING SPEED

Takeoff Speed

Approach Speed

19,7 M

5,2 M

29 M

2 X PRATT & WHITNEY R1830

64 KNOTS

2 X 1200 HP

HAMİLTON STANDARD

135 KNOTS

85 KNOTS

85 KNOTS

LENGTH 25’

HEIGHT 9’6’’

WING SPAN 32’2’’

ENGINE 2 X PRATT & WHITNEY R1830

Stall Speed 64 KNOTS

Horse Power 2 X 1200 HP

Propeller HAMILTON STANDARD

CRUISING SPEED 135 KNOTS

Takeoff Speed 85 KNOTS

Approach Speed 85 KNOTS