How the Douglas Aircraft Company Created the DC-3, Part 1

Was it the greatest airplane of its time—or all time?

Scott Mall

Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 07:27 AM ET

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Twelve TWA DC-3s and DC-2s lined up at Newark Airport in the late 1930s. [Courtesy: airhistory.net]

Key Takeaways:

The Douglas DC series, beginning with the DC-1 and DC-2, revolutionized commercial aviation by making passenger flights profitable without reliance on government mail subsidies, unlike earlier aircraft.
The development of the DC series was spurred by Transcontinental and Western Air's (TWA) stringent requirements for a new, advanced airliner after being denied access to the Boeing 247.
The DC-1 and DC-2 surpassed competitors like the Boeing 247 with superior design, greater passenger capacity, speed, and luxury, meeting challenging performance specifications such as single-engine takeoff at high altitudes.

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According to Boeing (NYSE: BA), which through acquisitions owns what began as the Douglas Aircraft Company, “The Douglas DC-3, which made air travel popular and airline profits possible, is universally recognized as the greatest airplane of its time. Some would argue that it is the greatest of all time.” While it might sound biased, many would agree.

The DC-3 was not only comfortable and reliable, it also made air transportation profitable. C.R. Smith—who is considered one of the giants of U.S. airline history—became the president of American Airlines following the reorganization of American Airways into the new company. Smith was significantly involved in the airplane’s evolution from the beginnings of the Douglas Commercial series. According to simpleflying.com, Smith said the DC-3 was the first airplane that could make money just by hauling passengers, without relying on government mail subsidies.