Built as DC-3A NC33649 for United it was taken up by the USAAF and became one of only 2 C-52Bs. In 1944 it passed to civil use as NC33327 first with Northwest then Mid-Continent, Braniff and Trans Texas and a number of smaller outfits. In 1974 it was acquired by Provincetown-Boston A/L and later leased to Eastern Express before withdrawn from use in 1988 and sold to an owner at Fremont. In 2014, after 2 decades stored at Fremont it was was sold, made airworthy and flown to Thomaston, GA., where it remained until May 2017 when it was flown to a new base at Cape Cod Airfield, Marstons Mills, MA.

The aircraft had been lapsing into dereliction at this location for approximately 20 years. By 2015 it had been moved into a hangar and a group called Saving LuLu Belle Inc had been formed with the intent of restoring it to airworthiness. Some progress was made and in October 2016 at least one of the engines was run, but the project seems to have stalled at the end of 2017 and the last update to the group's Facebook page was in February 2020.

Photo by Steve Kraus.

Originally 42-68724/USAAF. Constructed as a C-53D and converted to DC-3A. Owned by actor Cary Grant. Photo by Steve Kraus.

Photo by Pol van Damme

Used for sprayer work, "Tsetse Fly Control" inscription on tail - the name "Angel Baby" appeared when used in filming of the movie "American Ninja 2: The Confrontation" (photographer not known)

Repainted into these colours since its 2019 visit to Europe for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when it carried the (genuine) colours of Civil Air Transport of China. Awaiting departure to Old Warden with N47TB, N74589 and NC33644.

LT24 D-Day 80 N8336C has been re-painted 'Spirit of Douglas', First around the World. Previously seen UK as Spirit of Benovia.

ex 42-93560, KG668, 12942. Later to N471AF, XA-SYN, N472AF and still current as such in 2021. During its entire civil career the Dakota retained its Canadian air force colour scheme. Any help on the location is appreciated. Photographer unknown

(photographer not known)

Built as a C-53. Participated in Operation Market Garden in September 1944 as a glider tug. Postwar converted to a DC-3A with an airstair passenger door on the starboard side of the cabin. Seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1982. To the USAF Museum and loaned to the Aerospace Museum of California at Sacramento. Displayed in WW2 invasion stripes but retains the civil airstair door.

Built as a C-53. Participated in Operation Market Garden in September 1944 as a glider tug. Postwar converted to a DC-3A with an airstair passenger door on the starboard side of the cabin. Seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1982. To the USAF Museum and loaned to the Aerospace Museum of California at Sacramento. Displayed in WW2 invasion stripes but retains the civil airstair door.

This DC-3 was built in 1941 and I believe it has been stored at Santa Rosa since January 2008. So I was delighted to see it returning from an air test and it departed the following day on the long ferry flight to its new owners in Farmingdale, Long Island.

Ex 42-68758, a D-Day veteran. N44997 served with TWA and North Central Airlines till 1962, then with various users including the Horseshoe Development Corp from Arkansas. To Beilers Crop Service in 1975. To K&K Aircraft as N1FN in 1986. The DC-3 collided with power lines and crashed while spraying for gypsy moths near Capon Bridge, West Virginia on 19 May 1990. Both pilots lost their lives. Photo from: Saint Louis University