The photographer flew on this 1940 aircraft and some of the pictures in his series were taken at Vero Beach, Florida. Shortly hereafter on 30 July, N19963 collided with an F6F Hellcat, BuNo 72887, over Chesterfield, New Jersey, and crashed. All 15 occupants lost their lives, and the 'reckless' pilot of the Hellcat was also killed. Photo from: Ralph Morse / Life

In 1975 Florida Airlines took over both Air South and Shawnee Airlines, because their route networks supplemented that of Florida Airlines perfectly. The two airlines continued to operate under their own names as Florida Airlines subsidiaries, but their combined routes were marketed as "The Connection". Some aircraft carried large "The Connection" titles, and often also the actual airline's name in smaller size. DC-3 N79B for example is seen here carrying small "Florida Airlines" titles on the nose. The Shawnee Airlines subsidiary was shutdown by the FAA in Oct 1977 and sold to Air Miami in 1978.

Delivered to Eastern as NC15597 in 1940. Later N15597. To N79B in 1966 and N102AP in 1981. Crashed on approach to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in 1991.

Original passenger DC-3 delivered to Eastern Air Lines as NC19969 in 1940. To Japan in 1957. Crash-landed and written off at Hachijojima (HAC) in 1963. Photo by: Lennox Tierney / University of Utah

Delivered new to Eastern Airlines in 09.40 as NC15596, serving until 05.52. Later with Capitol, Mohawk and North Central. In the mid/late 1980s used for TV work in this non-authentic camouflage scheme. Current as N408D in 2018.

This DC-3 seems to be down on its luck at this rural Illinois airfield, which caters to skydivers. Aircraft made airworthy by Frank and Glen Moss and flown to Punta Gorda Airport, where it was undergoing restoration in 2017.

The other half of the Carriba fleet (see N77KN). First registered NC15597 to Eastern in 9.40. After many owners, served Shawnee, Dolphin Int'l and Florida Airlines 'The Connection' before joining the new but short-lived Carriba venture in 5.80. Became N102AP in 4.81 and flew for three Virgin Island airlines. Force landed in a sugar plantation after no.2 engine failure near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic while operated by Victoria Air on 7.6.91

"Lady Luck" had been used as a jump plane for skydivers at Skydive Chicago Airport in Ottawa, Illinois before being retired in 2003. The airplane sat in the open for 13 years until Frank and Glen Moss made it ready for a ferry flight to Florida, which happened in mid-November 2016.

"Lady Luck" had been used as a jump plane for skydivers at Skydive Chicago Airport in Ottawa, Illinois before being retired in 2003. The airplane sat in the open for 13 years until Frank and Glen Moss made it ready for a ferry flight to Florida, which happened in mid-November 2016.