The second DC-3 airframe was presented by AA at Newark on 26 June 1936. According to writer Geoff Jones, it was framed with D-LZ129 at Lakehurst 'a few weeks later'. AA ran connecting flights to its Newark hub for Zeppelin passengers. The notorious Hindenburg disaster occured here on 6 May 1937. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

NX14988 was the first DC-3 (DST-144). DST means Douglas Sleeper Transport, and it was the original variant of the DC-3 commercial airliner. There were no prototypes built: NX14988 was a production airplane and went to American Airlines (NC14988). At the beginning of World War II, NC14988 was placed in military service, designated C-49E Skytrooper with the serial number 42-43619. On 15 October 1942, it crashed at Chicago killing the 2-man crew and all seven passengers. Photo: McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

This is the prototype Douglas DC-3 which made the type's maiden flight from Santa Monica on 17 December 1935. It was completed as a 16-berth DST - Douglas Sleeper Transport. "Flagship Texas" was delivered to AA on 11 July 1936 and wears "Flagship Skysleeper" titles just below the four slit windows for the upper bunks. From Douglas 60 years ago.

The seventh DC-3 to be delivered, this example was fitted out as a "DST" - "Douglas Sleeper Transport". This version carried 16 passengers in eight curtained sleeper compartments, each with two berths, the upper being lit by its own slit window - visible in this air-to-air shot. From American 60 years ago.