Would you change a C-47/ DC-3's Interior?

warbirdguy · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:46 pm

Just thought it would be interesting to see what you would say about the following.

If you owned a DC-3 that was in full airline configuration inside including a gally, would you gut it and return it to WWII configuration. With money being no factor!

Call me crazy but I would since, so few C-47's are flying in full WWII configuration.

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:18 pm

as a collector of antique aviation memorabilia, & a model builder with no time to build models, i still believe in historical accuracy is most important above all. do it right or don't do it!! it is a tribute of respect & admiration of our ww 2 technology for me!!! i display my stuff correctly too. repro stuff is ok, as long as it isn't cheesy crapola quality. as to warbirds & historical accuracy???? talk to kermit weeks!!! granted he has the deep pockets, but he also has the repect & devotion to put is birds in 1st class historically correct condition. i salute him!!

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:35 am

Don't forget, if you want a "Warbird" DC-3, many were pressed into military service and retained much of their airliner interiors during the war. You could still paint it military and keep it a DC-3 inside! I also think that actual, restored to original, airline DC-3's might be a little rarer than most people think.
Jerry

wendovertom · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:30 am

Hummm, I have thought about this to as I have gazed longingly at the 2 DC-3s Courtesy has for sale. I think I would restore the outer colors to WW II vintage and leave the airliner interior. Besides this would make for the opportunity to sell more rides to support the planes operations.

My two cents,

Tom P

warbirdguy · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:33 am

Does anybody know how many DC-3's exist in both Airline colors and interiors? I can think of two or three.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:53 am

If it was in full airline interior then I would probably leave it, paint it up as a C-47 and use it to bring friends to airshows. If it was just seats and stuff I'd can it and make an AC-47.

TimAPNY · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:12 am

The 1941 HAG ran into some issues with the C-47 they were given. It had an Exec-Interior and they had to ripe it all out before they could get it into the air. I’m not sure of all the details but was something like that.

Yes it would be nicer to fly around in plush C-47 than the folding jump seats.

Tim

mennie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:20 am

I would make it a C-47 and put a M38 willys jeep in it.

Just to fly around and visit airshows.

Steve S · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:01 pm

I think it would depend on how much money you needed it to earn in order to keep it in the air. I have noticed that it is easier to get airshow bookings with a C47 than it is with a DC 3.

I would definetly keep the plush seats however.

Steve

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:18 pm

that's an interesting fact!!........ reason??

systemofadown1162 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:34 pm

First I would completly restore it to a C-47.
Then turn around and sell it and buy or restore a P-38 or B-17 to flying condition.
Then to pay off the rest of the restoration I would go on some game show and win big!
(trig is boring!)

mennie · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:56 am

Steve S wrote:

I think it would depend on how much money you needed it to earn in order to keep it in the air. I have noticed that it is easier to get airshow bookings with a C47 than it is with a DC 3.

I would definetly keep the plush seats however.

Steve

I don't know a lot about airshow bookings but with a DC-3 you could operate it like the Dutch Dakota Association does for example, fly paying customers to airshows, and park it on the static line. With a C-47 I don't know what someone would pay you for a booking static/flying, maybe only the fuel...

Steve S · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:39 am

My comments were based on some conversations I have had with folks at one of the local musuems that owns a DC3 in airline markings and has had a hard time marketing it for shows. The general comment has been that it would be better if it was OD with D Day markings.

While folks on this group appreciate the airplane for what it is, the general public that the airhsows are trying to attract is looking for more of a warbird theme and to them it looks just like any other airplane in commercial markings. Now I am not saying I feel this way about it but I have experienced and seen it first hand in when talking to folks at the shows.

Steve

RickH · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:51 am

I think the driving factor would be , what is it? Was it built as a C-47 or a DC-3? Does it still have the freight door? What was it doing during WWII ?

tom d. friedman · **Posted:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:55 pm

that's the fine line......... many dc -3's were conscripted at the start of the war from the airlines, while the majority came fresh from the assembly line. the 1's with airline service history / military service are really the historically significant birds!!!

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