Airplane rides are still a thing for aviation enthusiasts. Flying with warbird is exciting, so although you really love airplanes, they may not get to fly as often as they’d like but you need to experience and be part of the history. Why not buy them a gift certificate to the nearest flight school or book a flight and ride on a rare warbird like DC-3 and maybe they’ll even take you along!
The DC-3 was to become perhaps the most important airliner in history. It quickly established its reputation with many operators, including the military.
Perhaps unique among prewar aircraft, the DC-3 continues to fly daily in active commercial and military service as of April 2017, more than eighty years after the type’s first flight in 1935. There are still small operators with DC-3s in revenue service and as cargo aircraft. Current uses of the DC-3 include aerial spraying, freight transport, passenger service, military transport, missionary flying, skydiver shuttling and sightseeing.
The common saying among aviation enthusiasts and pilots is “the only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3.” The aircraft’s legendary ruggedness is enshrined in the lighthearted description of the DC-3 as “a collection of parts flying in loose formation”. Its ability to use grass or dirt runways makes it popular in developing countries or remote areas, where runways are not always paved.
According to Ilmailumuseo
OH-LCH – the Longest-Operating DC-3 Airliner in Finland
The DC-3 (originally C-53) airliner performing in the Kaivopuisto Air Show was manufactured in Santa Monica. It came out of the factory on Christmas Eve 1942, was flown to the European Theatre, and ended up in the U.S. Army Depot. The State of Finland purchased the aircraft, and it was handed over in June 1948. The aircraft was registered in Finland as OH-LCH, and handed over to Aero Ltd.
OH-LCH flew under Aero’s colours until 1967 (although being stored in parts for a few years during the period). It flew Aero’s last scheduled DC-3 route 1.4.1967. In 1970, the aircraft was sold to the Finnish Air Force and re-registered DO-11. The Air Force used the plane as transport aircraft and jump plane, flying its last flight in December 1984.
In 1986, Airveteran Ltd, founded by private owners purchased two former Air Force DC-3’s, the DO-11 and DO-8 (former OH-LCD “Gull”). The DO-11 was restored in airworthy condition, and re-registered in 12.5.1987 with its old registration OH-LCH. The aircraft, nicknamed “Hotel”, is still owned by Airveteran Ltd, and operated by the DC-Association. The aircraft spends its winters in Vaasa, and operates member flights of the Association during the summers from the Helsinki-Malmi Airport.
You can follow and like their Facebook Page at DC-3 OH-LCH Airveteran . If you want to support or be a member of the organization who manage the DC-3 plane you can visit their website here for more information. DC Association
Take a look of our few photos with DC-3 OH-LCH in Finland.
It is one of a kind experience.
The Warbird Airplane rides are still a thing for aviation enthusiasts. Flying with warbird is exciting, so although you really love airplanes, they may not get to fly as often as they'd like but you need to experience and be part of the history.