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The History of 1944 Douglas DC-3
N1944H    s/n 34378

1944    Originally owned by the United States Army, started its life with the military as 45-1108.

October 1945

Delivered to the USAF.

March 1946

It was put in the care of the RFC (Reconstruction Finance Corp., US Storage body formed to dispose of government surplus materialsApril 1946

With just 35.5 Hrs, the aircraft was flown to Mineola, NY where all military equipment was removed and the aircraft was repainted in civilian colors.

1946 – 1995

During this time period, the aircraft had several owners including Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) who utilized the aircraft as corporate transportation.

November 1953

Entered into civilian register as NC54542 for Outboard & Marine Manufacturing Co. of Milwaukee, WI

December 1966

Tail number was revised to N80M for same company, Outboard & Marine Mfg of Milwaukee, which kept using it until March 1977.

February 1978

Registered as N54542 for the Experimental Aircraft Association of Franklin, WI (was slightly altered in 1983 to the EAA Aviation Foundation, Oshkosh, WI)           

Approx. 1988 

EAA sold aircraft to Mike Suzuki of California Air Tours (CAT) in Burbank, CA. The ferry pilot on that trip was Dan Reid, a longtime Basler DC-3 pilot.

1989-1991

CAT was in the business of taking Japanese tourists to visit the Grand Canyon from Burbank airport, daily, using Cessna 402’s and Navajos. After lots of paperwork taking about a year, the FAA granted permission for CAT to use the DC-3 in Part 135 (Air Charter) operation. Aircraft carried thousands of tourists on trips to the Grand Canyon, 30 per plane-load. Walter Brubaker was copilot with Captain Reid for both the certification proving runs and daily revenue ops

April 1995 – August 2003

Era Classic Airlines, an FAA Part 121 Airline, purchased the aircraft in 1995 with approximately 16,500 flying hours and renamed it “Spirit of Alaska.”  Era took visitors back in time of nostalgic flightseeing tours in Southcentral Alaska. The Air Hostess was outfitted in 1940’s garb all the way down to seamed stockings and white gloves. Big Band and swing music played in the background, champagne was served, and 1940’s news headlines were read over the PA system.

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