By Susan Skinner
Special to the Lookout

February 2, 2011 – Under blue skies and perfect flying weather, aviation buffs both young and old gathered at Santa Monica Airport to learn, show respect and reminisce about one of the world’s most iconic aircraft.

Saturday’s celebration marked the 75th anniversary of the Douglas DC-3, the airplane largely credited with making commercial passenger airlines possible.

A Douglas DC-3 remains on permanent display at Santa Monica Airport. Photo by Gene Williams

Developed and built in Santa Monica, this famous and still-modern-looking streamlined aircraft made its first flight from the city’s airport in December 1935. 75 years later, many are still earning a profit for their operators.

“It was a very energized day,” said Daniel J. Ryan, managing director of Santa Monica’s upcoming Museum of Flying, who led Saturday’s ceremonies.

“Many families were present; many Douglas retirees were there, as well as many military retirees. It was a beautiful event,” Ryan said.

Speakers during a 30-minute presentation Saturday included David G. Price, chairman and founder of the Museum of Flying; Robert Trimborn, director of Santa Monica Airport; Tim Williams, historian from the American Aviation Historical Society and Brigadier General (Ret.) Blake LeMar of the California Air National Guard.

The presentation concluded with the unveiling of a 75th anniversary commemorative plaque which will be installed at the airport’s administration building.

Two restored DC-3’s were on display with their volunteer crews on hand to answer questions. One of them, the Flabob Express, was built in 1943 and is reported to have flown Sir Winston Churchill and Princess Margaret during WWII.

Brief flights aboard the Flabob airplane were provided, for a fee, for those who wanted a taste of history in the skies.

Also on display was a DC-3 which took part in the 1944 D-Day invasion of Europe. Called C-47s and C-53s by the military, these deep-green versions of the aircraft were used to tow gliders, carry cargo and drop paratroopers. Years later, C-47s and C-53s were turned into ambulance planes and would fly into battle areas to recover wounded soldiers in Korea and Viet Nam.

Commercially, the DC-3 was instrumental in establishing much of the international air system that we know today. During the depression, the production of the Douglas DC-3 employed thousands and is responsible for expanding and maintaining the economy in Santa Monica during that time.

The DC-3 was the first commercial air transport to make a profit based solely on sales of passenger tickets.

Eventually, more than 16,000 DC-3 type aircraft were produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company throughout the U.S., as well as by Japanese and Soviet manufacturers. No airliner since has been built in such quantity.

Santa Monica’s coming Museum of Flying broke ground several weeks ago and is slated to open in late summer or early fall of this year. The new museum will be located at Airport Avenue and Donald Douglas Loop near Airport Park.