History of our DC-3 Mainliner

2025

The aircraft was acquired by DC3 Mainliner, LLC (May) and is now operated by California Aeronautical University, based at Axis Air Aviation (KOXR), beginning its mission to educate and inspire the next generation of aviators.

1996

The aircraft was purchased by Clay Lacy Aviation (April) and underwent a full restoration. It was renamed Mainliner O’Connor and painted in an authentic 1948 United Airlines livery.

1984-1985

The aircraft entered private ownership, first purchased by Red Stevenson, doing business as Red’s Aircraft Sales (July 1984), and then acquired by Dolores Press, Inc. (July 1985).

1971

The aircraft was acquired by the State of Georgia (May) and used to transport state leadership, including Governor Jimmy Carter during his term from 1971–1975.

1967

Ownership of the aircraft transferred to North American Rockwell Corp, the successor to Standard Steel Spring Company.

1950

The aircraft was purchased by Standard Steel Spring Company in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania (November), beginning its civilian corporate career as an executive transport.

1945

Our DC-3 that would become the Mainliner O’Connor was delivered as a military surplus aircraft and assigned to the American Embassy in Lima, Peru (November).

1945

Our DC-3 was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps in October 1945 as a C-47. Declared surplus weeks later, it never deployed overseas.

1939–1945

The DC-3 was adapted into military forms (C-47, R4D, etc.). More than 10,000 war-built variants carried troops, cargo, paratroopers, medical evacuations, and essential supplies worldwide.

Mid- to late-1930s

United Airlines marketed its DC-3s as “Mainliners,” naming aircraft for cities and destinations — a branding tradition that inspired the name “Mainliner O’Connor.”

1936

American Airlines and United Airlines became early adopters, and the DC-3 quickly revolutionized air travel with greater comfort, speed, and reliability.

December 17, 1935

The prototype DC-3 made its maiden flight at Clover Field, Santa Monica. This marked the start of what became one of aviation’s most influential designs.

1933-1935

American Airlines wanted a larger, sleeper-capable successor to the DC-2. Douglas Aircraft developed a larger, more capable airliner (initially the DST) that evolved into the DC-3.