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:

In the early 1930s, the U.S. airline industry was largely unprofitable, relying on government mail subsidies and facing calls for increased safety after a prominent crash.
Denied access to the advanced Boeing 247, Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA) challenged Douglas Aircraft Company (DAC) to design a new aircraft with highly specific and demanding performance criteria, including single-engine takeoff capability at high altitudes.
Douglas responded by developing the DC-1, a technologically advanced prototype that successfully met TWA's rigorous requirements, proving superior to existing aircraft and the Boeing 247.
Building on the DC-1's success, Douglas created the DC-2, which featured increased passenger capacity and luxury, rapidly revolutionizing commercial air travel and enabling faster, more profitable transcontinental flights.

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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.