American

030633 - LEGEND: A Celebration of the Douglas DC-3 / C-47 / Dakota

By Philip Kaplan

Like the Spitfire, and a relatively small number of other classic aircraft, the DC-3/C-47 Dakota is a breed apart, distinguished not only by her exceptional design, engineering, durability, performance, and her many other fine characteristics, but by her enormous base of admirers. To the millions of her passengers, and the enthusiastic captains and crews who have operated these planes for more than 70 years, and those whose lives have been affected by her in the most dramatic ways, she is unforgettable. Without question, the great Douglas Plane changes history, opening the era of modern air travel in the 1930's and as the backbone of allied air transport in the Second World War. In this new book, 'Legend', the fascinating wartime and post-war history of a significant surviving veteran of that war, the C-47A N1844A is traced, along with the pre-war, wartime and post-war story of the fabulous DC-3/C-47 Dakota type. 'Legend' is a powerful, impressive celebration of one of the most important machines of all time. In his book Crusade in Europe, General Dwight Eisenhower wrote: 'Most senior officers regard as the most vital to our success...the bulldozer, the jeep, the two and a half ton truck, and the C-47'. None of these had been designed for their combat role.