Reserve Your Seat on the 1940 Air Terminal Museum’s Douglas DC-3
You can help bring history’s most iconic propliner home to Houston!
No airplane symbolizes the golden age of aviation like the Douglas DC-3. Conceived in the midst of the most rapid technological advancement in aviation history, the DC-3 first flew on December 17, 1935. The DC-3 was the first airplane which allowed airlines to actually generate a profit flying passengers. By the time Houston’s 1940 Air Terminal opened, over 90% of airline passengers in the world were carried by DC-3s and the DC-3 was one of only two aircraft types operated by airlines serving Houston. With the outbreak of World War II, military versions of the DC-3 were produced by the thousands and operated by every allied nation across the globe. Military DC-3s, such as the C-47 and Dakota, were so prolific and important that Dwight Eisenhower later cited the C-47 as one of four technological advancements most responsible for helping the Allies win the war.
After the war, plentiful and inexpensive surplus C-47s were converted to civilian DC-3s and helped a fuel a rapid global proliferation of airlines. Every airline serving Houston in the post-war years flew DC-3s. In 1947, Houston FBO Aviation Enterprises purchased three C-47s from the surplus depot in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, converted them to DC-3s and launched Trans-Texas Airways. Museum volunteer and board member A.J. High served as first officer on TTA’s first trip and soon was flying as a DC-3 captain for TTA. TTA continued to grow, but did not retire its last DC-3 until 1967, just one year before it changed its name to Texas International.
While most DC-3s are now gone, a handful soldier on in roles as diverse as scheduled passenger airliners in Canada’s Northwest Territories, transporters of relief supplies to natural disaster sites, such as Haiti, and even carrying vital supplies to researchers in Antarctica. Increasingly, surviving DC-3s are finding their way to Museum collections.
Houston’s 1940 Air Terminal Museum has now been offered the donation of a Douglas DC-3. No airplane better represents Houston’s rich airline, business, general and military aviation history than the DC-3.
You can help bring this great aircraft to Houston and begin its restoration! The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is offering patrons an opportunity to sponsor our DC-3’s seats.
In recognition of each $1,000.00 tax deductible donation to our DC-3 fund, the donor (or donor’s designee's) name will be embroidered in the headrest cover of one of the DC-3’s passenger seats.
In recognition of a $2,500.00 tax deductible contribution, the donor’s name will be embroidered in the copilot’s seat cover in the cockpit.
In recognition of a $7,500.00 tax deductible contribution, the donor’s name will be embroidered in Capt. High’s seat cover in the cockpit.
DC-3 Fund patrons will also be invited to special "patrons only" events, including the DC-3’s arrival, special programs during its restoration and will receive their own art deco DC-3 sculpture.
Send your DC-3 Fund donation today and help us bring this unique part of aviation history home to Houston.