Landing at the end of its delivery flight from Shannon to join the museum collection. (Science Museum photo)

Ex N655GP, N65556, N255JB, N8695E, N333H, NC16071. Built in 1936 and operated by United Airlines until 1938 when it was bought by Eastern Air Lines. The Irish registration was cancelled on 27 October 1978. (The Pou de Ciel was G-AEHM 'Blue Finch', which was moved in mid 2011 on loan to the M-Shed Museum, Bristol.)

A very early DC-3, among the oldest still in existence. Originally delivered to United Air Lines, way back in 1936, as NC16071. After a long and varied career it was acquired by Skyways Inc. in 1969 as N655GP, and as such it made its way to Europe in the early 1970s. It was mostly based in Ireland while operated by several companies. In March 1976 it was registered as EI-AYO, and then sold to the Science Museum in late 1978.