DC-3 Development Update 0: Bits of History!

[ilias.tselios]

Kicking off a series of development updates, we will travel to the past, from when DC-3 was born to today, to understand the significance of this aircraft for the whole airline industry.

Douglas Aircraft Company, after a TWA inquiry, started development of a new series of aircrafts, designated as Douglas Commercial (DC), the DC-1 in 1933, and DC-2 next year. Although DC-2 was successful, it was a bit narrow for what American Airlines wanted, which led to the development of one DST prototype. DST stands for Douglas Sleeper Transport! Yes beds in the airplane! Flew first time on December 17, 1935, the 32nd anniversary of Wright Bros first flight. The aircraft was fitted with 21 seats (instead of 14-16 sleeping berths), and designated as DC-3!

Totally built, up to 1943, 607 DC-3 aircrafts. But WWII has begun and many DC-3s were put into military service. The needs for a military transport aircraft were huge, and with DC-3 fitting the bill, the C-47 Skytrain was created. It was based on DC-3 with few changes needed for the operations in the military, most notably the reinforced floor that allowed for higher gross weight, and the dual cargo doors. A total of around 10,000 C-47 aircrafts (and variations) were constructed. Many C-47s, after WWII, became available for civilian use, and even today, there are many DC-3s and C-47 in use! Later, in 1990, another variation was developed by Basler Turbo Conversions, retrofitting P&W PT-6 turboprop engines, and airframe modifications, designated as BT-67.

Our Leading Edge Simulations DC-3 (v2) is based on the original, 21-seats, variants. The aircraft has a maximum gross weight (MGW) of 25,200 lbs for take off and landing, and can reach speeds up to 207 mph (180 knots). 2 Pratt and Whitney PW R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines, providing 1,200 hp each, driving a 3-blade Hamilton Standard propeller.

In the next weeks leading to the release, as development progresses, we will look into each area of the aircraft in more detail. For now, I will leave you with a few more random images. Keep in mind that everything you see here, up to the release, is work-in-progress, not final!

(source: Wikipedia)

 

Edited May 15, 2020 by airfighter

[baumi]

This looks great! Can't wait for this bird to be available.

One minor point: I thing there is a spelling error on the door in the second-to-last picture: "personnel" is spelled with two "n", as far as I know.

[Goran_M]

Damn.  Ok.  Noted and will be fixed.  Thanks.

[Normandee]

Hi I think it should be

personal

[Goran_M]

No, it's definitely personnel.  Personal is when something is "personal" to you.  Personnel, is authorized "persons". 

[Burning Bridges]

Yes but there is an "n" missing. It says "authorized personel"

Edited August 2, 2020 by Burning Bridges

[Cameron]

On 8/2/2020 at 1:33 PM, Burning Bridges said:

Yes but there is an "n" missing. It says "authorized personel"

He's aware and already acknowledged such above. Goran was replying to @Normandee who thought it should be "personal" and giving clarification that it's an incorrect version of the word.

[jayjayqiqi]

Is it released yet? will it be a free update for the owner of DC-3 V1.4?

[Goran_M]

Not released yet.  We'll announce it here when it is available.  Ilias is posting regular development updates so you can keep track of what is going into it.

Current owners of the DC3 will receive a significant discount.  Quite a lot of work has gone into it, including new model and textures, and quite a large amount of code.

 

Edited November 29, 2020 by Goran_M

[jayjayqiqi]

okay. sounds reasonable.

[signmanbob]

I'm really looking forward to being able to fly my DC3 again.  I haven't installed it since XP11 came out.