Yeah

Posted by Abner from user-2ive9kp.dialup.mindspring.com on December 15, 1999 at 17:12:49:

In Reply to: Re: No, not exactly correct... posted by Anejo Joe on December 15, 1999 at 14:31:13:

: : : The DC-3 was in it's heaviest production year in 1935. It was redesignated the "Dakota" during WWII and used by the military, but it had been in commercial airline service for several years all over the world by that time. Regards. Michaelson

: : Actually the prototype flew on Dec.17th, 1935 but commercial production/use began in 1936...just in time for Indy. Not that it matters...Indiana Jones is "historical" science fiction, right? That's why the Germans have Mp-40s and flying wings...

: : In WWII it was called the C-47 and was used for dropping paratroopers in the Normandy Invasion, among other things. After the war it also served prominently in the Berlin airlift.

: : Interesting aside: I was driving past a local airport recently when I happened to notice one painted with WWII markings. I went over and talked to the mechanic/co-pilot who was pouring oil in the engines and I got a little personal tour. This particular plane participated in D-Day and was used by the Finnish Air-force before becoming a commercial freight hauler today. Amazing that they are still in use, isn't it?

: : Cheers,
: : Abner

: You older folks may remember that Ricky Nelson was killed in a DC3. It had been produced in 1943 and used magnesium extensively in place of aluminum because of the shortages during the war. An electrical fire started and the magnesium fueled it.

I remember watching a documentary about that. I also remember a demo in Chemistry class where magnesium was burned and I can't believe someone built a plane out of that stuff! 1943 was also the year they made those "silver" pennies instead of copper.

Even worse: I also saw a documentary about how the Hindenburg's skin was made of a cellulose material (used in explosives) coated with aluminum powder (also used in explosives)and filled with Hydrogen...smart thinking! (even if they did try to get Helium from the US Government).

Cheers,
Abner

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: : : : The DC-3 was in it's heaviest production year in 1935. It was redesignated the "Dakota" during WWII and used by the military, but it had been in commercial airline service for several years all over the world by that time. Regards. Michaelson

: : : Actually the prototype flew on Dec.17th, 1935 but commercial production/use began in 1936...just in time for Indy. Not that it matters...Indiana Jones is "historical" science fiction, right? That's why the Germans have Mp-40s and flying wings...

: : : In WWII it was called the C-47 and was used for dropping paratroopers in the Normandy Invasion, among other things.  After the war it also served prominently in the Berlin airlift.

: : : Interesting aside: I was driving past a local airport recently when I happened to notice one painted with WWII markings. I went over and talked to the mechanic/co-pilot who was pouring oil in the engines and I got a little personal tour. This particular plane participated in D-Day and was used by the Finnish Air-force before becoming a commercial freight hauler today. Amazing that they are still in use, isn't it?

: : : Cheers,
: : : Abner

: : You older folks may remember that Ricky Nelson was killed in a DC3.  It had been produced in 1943 and used magnesium extensively in place of aluminum because of the shortages during the war.  An electrical fire started and the magnesium fueled it.

: I remember watching a documentary about that. I also remember a demo in Chemistry class where magnesium was burned and I can't believe someone built a plane out of that stuff! 1943 was also the year they made those "silver" pennies instead of copper.

: Even worse:  I also saw a documentary about how the Hindenburg's skin was made of a cellulose material (used in explosives) coated with aluminum powder (also used in explosives)and filled with Hydrogen...smart thinking! (even if they did try to get Helium from the US Government).

: Cheers,
: Abner

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