PBA DC-3s: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Updated April 30, 2022
PBA DC-3 N34PB on final at Miami in December 1980. Photo taken by Bob Garrard.
Provincetown - Boston Airline was the most famous of the later day DC-3 operators and flew 12, mostly pre-war examples of the type. More than three decades after the last PBA DC-3 flight in September 1988, six of these aircraft are still airworthy, three are largely intact but permanently grounded, one is being chopped up for spare parts, one is presumed destroyed, and the cockpit of one is now a museum display. Their individual stories are detailed below. If you have any updates on any of these aircraft, please contact me!
N130PB
MSN: 2213 Mfr Date: May 3, 1940 Current Reg: N25673 Current location: Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas Status: museum display, airworthy
Painted in Continental's 1950s color scheme, former N130PB is on display at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas. After the previous museum location in Galveston suffered heavy damage from Hurricane Ike in 2008, it was decided to move the facility and aircraft farther inland to Ellington Airport. A Facebook video from March 2017 shows the engines being started for the first time in several years in preparation for the 30 mile flight from Galveston to the current facility. The aircraft appears to be in pristine condition.
MSN: 2213 Mfr Date: May 3, 1940 Current Reg: N25673 Current location: Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas Status: museum display, airworthy
Painted in Continental's 1950s color scheme, former N130PB is on display at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston, Texas. After the previous museum location in Galveston suffered heavy damage from Hurricane Ike in 2008, it was decided to move the facility and aircraft farther inland to Ellington Airport. A Facebook video from March 2017 shows the engines being started for the first time in several years in preparation for the 30 mile flight from Galveston to the current facility. The aircraft appears to be in pristine condition.
Former N130PB at its current home at the Lone Star Flight Museum on May 25, 2018. Photo copyright Brad T. via Jetphotos.com.
This spectacular photo was taken by Jason Knutson in 2005.
N31PB
MSN: 2201 Mfr Date: Feb 29, 1940 Last Reg: YV-440C Current location: Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela Status: parked / stored / decomposing
Aeroejecutivos operated "Caballo Viejo" on passenger flights until 2003, when it was parked at a remote ramp in Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela (SVMP). Its now in very poor condition with extensive corrosion. The first photo was taken by Ricardo Coppola in 2006. It was rumored that a group was trying to raise the funds to restore it, but that obviously never happened.
MSN: 2201 Mfr Date: Feb 29, 1940 Last Reg: YV-440C Current location: Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela Status: parked / stored / decomposing
Aeroejecutivos operated "Caballo Viejo" on passenger flights until 2003, when it was parked at a remote ramp in Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela (SVMP). Its now in very poor condition with extensive corrosion. The first photo was taken by Ricardo Coppola in 2006. It was rumored that a group was trying to raise the funds to restore it, but that obviously never happened.
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Google Earth view from December 13, 2014 shows the former N31PB missing ailerons and elevators. Judging from older Google aerial photos, the plane has not moved since 2004.
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A recent view confirms the severity of the deterioration.
N32PB
MSN: 4827 Mfr Date: Oct 23, 1941 Current Reg: N122CA Current location: Plattsburgh, New York
Former N32PB was donated to the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute by Champlain Air in 2005 and has since been used for aviation mechanic training. Plattsburgh Airport was closed in 2007 and old N32PB presumably will not fly again although it remains essentially intact.
N122CA is pictured at Plattsburgh on April 26, 2015 without engines, ailerons or elevators but seems to be in good overall condition. Photo by "Dutch" via JetPhotos.net.
MSN: 4827 Mfr Date: Oct 23, 1941 Current Reg: N122CA Current location: Plattsburgh, New York
Former N32PB was donated to the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute by Champlain Air in 2005 and has since been used for aviation mechanic training. Plattsburgh Airport was closed in 2007 and old N32PB presumably will not fly again although it remains essentially intact.
N122CA is pictured at Plattsburgh on April 26, 2015 without engines, ailerons or elevators but seems to be in good overall condition. Photo by "Dutch" via JetPhotos.net.
When Chris Coates visited Plattsburgh on January 5, 2008, former N32PB was without wings, tail and engines and the gear was retracted.
N33PB
MSN: 4944 Mfr Date: May 20, 1942 Last registration: YV-427C Last known location: Venezuela
Current status: presumed destroyed
N33PB was sold to the Venezuelan airline Aeroejecutivos in April 1986 and registered YV-427C. By the early 1990s it was no longer registered and its exact fate is unknown.
In December 2011 I received this message from Woody: "After Sekman Aviation got the STC to install their cargo door modification, it was sold to Aeroejecutivos at SVMI (Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetia). Around 1991 or '92, I heard that it was wiped out in a ground loop accident in the remote interior of Venezuela."
Former N33PB pictured at Maiquetia in the late 1980s, still wearing PBA stripes.
MSN: 4944 Mfr Date: May 20, 1942 Last registration: YV-427C Last known location: Venezuela
Current status: presumed destroyed
N33PB was sold to the Venezuelan airline Aeroejecutivos in April 1986 and registered YV-427C. By the early 1990s it was no longer registered and its exact fate is unknown.
In December 2011 I received this message from Woody: "After Sekman Aviation got the STC to install their cargo door modification, it was sold to Aeroejecutivos at SVMI (Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetia). Around 1991 or '92, I heard that it was wiped out in a ground loop accident in the remote interior of Venezuela."
Former N33PB pictured at Maiquetia in the late 1980s, still wearing PBA stripes.
N34PB
MSN: 2204 Mfr Date: March 9, 1940 Current Reg: N3291 Current location: M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum, Sivrihisar, Eskisehir, Turkey Status: active
MSN: 2204 Mfr Date: March 9, 1940 Current Reg: N3291 Current location: M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum, Sivrihisar, Eskisehir, Turkey Status: active
After PBA shut down, N34PB remained parked until 1992 when it was purchased by Champlain Air. The aircraft was registered as N922CA and underwent a complete restoration. Francisco Agullo and a group of friends bought the airplane in November 2008 with the intention to fly it in Europe. The DC-3 was flown to Switzerland in Spring 2009 and registered as HB-IRJ where it was operated by the Super Constellation Flyers Association and sponsored by Breitling for 8 years. The aircraft made history in 2017 when it became the oldest plane to ever circle the globe during the monumental "Breitling DC-3 World Tour" which began on March 9, 2017 (77 years to the day since its first flight) and ended September 17, 2017. I've posted some of their spectacular photos from that journey HERE.
Unfortunately, Breitling ended their aviation sponsorship late in 2017 leaving the DC-3 with an uncertain future. During 2018 and early 2019 it was based at the Aero Passion facility in Dole, France while the owner sought a new sponsor.
The aircraft was sold to the M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum at Sivrihisar, Eskisehir, Turkey in early 2019 and flown to its new home in March. After several months of heavy maintenance, the rechristened "Turkish Delight" appeared at the SHY Air Race & Fly In at Sivrihisar Air Park July 6-7, 2019. The museum intends to fly it regularly on the air show circuit.
"Turkish Delight" is immaculately maintained and former PBA flight attendant Carol Vooght reports, "She has her very own hangar and is pampered beyond... even with flowers draped over her props".
This stunning photo was posted on Facebook by Kamil Yasin Karpuz in 2021.
Unfortunately, Breitling ended their aviation sponsorship late in 2017 leaving the DC-3 with an uncertain future. During 2018 and early 2019 it was based at the Aero Passion facility in Dole, France while the owner sought a new sponsor.
The aircraft was sold to the M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum at Sivrihisar, Eskisehir, Turkey in early 2019 and flown to its new home in March. After several months of heavy maintenance, the rechristened "Turkish Delight" appeared at the SHY Air Race & Fly In at Sivrihisar Air Park July 6-7, 2019. The museum intends to fly it regularly on the air show circuit.
"Turkish Delight" is immaculately maintained and former PBA flight attendant Carol Vooght reports, "She has her very own hangar and is pampered beyond... even with flowers draped over her props".
This stunning photo was posted on Facebook by Kamil Yasin Karpuz in 2021.
The cabin of "Turkish Delight". Photo from M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum website.
Night view of former N34PB shortly after its arrival in Turkey in March 2019. Photo from M.S.Ö. Air & Space Museum website.
Spectacular photo taken above Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan, on May 2, 2017 during the epic trip around the globe. Photo courtesy of the Breitling DC-3 World Tour Facebook page.
N35PB
MSN: 2216 Mfr Date: May 20, 1940 Current Reg: N61981 Current location: Cape Cod Airfield, Barnstable, MA Status: active
After having spent many years on the Basler ramp in Oshkosh, former N35PB was purchased by Chris Siderwicz and flown to Cape Cod Airfield in Barnstable, Massachusetts on August 5, 2015.
MSN: 2216 Mfr Date: May 20, 1940 Current Reg: N61981 Current location: Cape Cod Airfield, Barnstable, MA Status: active
After having spent many years on the Basler ramp in Oshkosh, former N35PB was purchased by Chris Siderwicz and flown to Cape Cod Airfield in Barnstable, Massachusetts on August 5, 2015.
N61981 was one of the star attractions at the 2018 Beverly Regional Air Show in Beverly, Massachusetts on September 8 and 9, 2018. Their website advertised, "Go back in time while sitting in the back of a Douglas DC-3 for a 30 minute cruise around northeastern Massachusetts for only $80 per person!" Thanks to Ron Shusterman for this great photo of "old 35" taking off from Beverly during the air show.
Rick Whittle sent in this beautiful photo of former PBA DC-3s N137PB and N61981 (formerly N35PB) in the snow at Cape Cod Airfield on January 17, 2018.
Thanks to Pete Johnson for these next two photos!
The interior of former N35PB looks great! August 5, 2015. Photo courtesy of Pete Johnson.
N136PB
Updated April 13, 2022
MSN: 1997 Mfr Date: October 25, 1937 Current Reg: N18121 Currently based at: Aurora, Oregon Status: active
The pride of the PBA fleet and the highest time airliner in the world during the 1980s, "Old 36" is currently owned by Blue Skies Air LLC and is based in Aurora, Oregon. The aircraft is in immaculate condition with a beautifully polished bare metal finish. Current total airframe time is in excess of 91,500 hours... more than 10 years in the air! FlightAware shows that it flew at least a dozen times between January and April 2022.
The spectacularly shiny N18121 is pictured in July 2021, courtesy of Eythor Arnason via Flickr.
Updated April 13, 2022
MSN: 1997 Mfr Date: October 25, 1937 Current Reg: N18121 Currently based at: Aurora, Oregon Status: active
The pride of the PBA fleet and the highest time airliner in the world during the 1980s, "Old 36" is currently owned by Blue Skies Air LLC and is based in Aurora, Oregon. The aircraft is in immaculate condition with a beautifully polished bare metal finish. Current total airframe time is in excess of 91,500 hours... more than 10 years in the air! FlightAware shows that it flew at least a dozen times between January and April 2022.
The spectacularly shiny N18121 is pictured in July 2021, courtesy of Eythor Arnason via Flickr.
N18121 participated in the Daks Over Normandy event in June 2019 commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. It then spent several months at the Aero Passion maintenance facility at Dole - Jura Airport in Dole, France undergoing a "D check". This photo shows "Old 36" in the Aero Passion hangar in June 2019. Photo from the Aero Passion Facebook page.
"Old 36", second from left, at Duxford, England among some of the DC-3s and C-47s that took part in Daks Of Normandy D-Day commemoration in June 2019. Photo credit: Tony Bending.
A May 2019 view of the immaculately refurbished cabin featuring Gulfstream 3 seating. Photo courtesy of Carol Vooght.
The interior also features a new galley and lav. Photo courtesy of Carol Vooght.
N18121 was previously based at the Pearson Air Museum in Vancouver, Washington and for many years was painted in the classic "The Great Silver Fleet" colors of its original owner Eastern Air Lines. Photo taken at Oshkosh on July 26, 2010 by Graham Evans at Air-Britain Photographic Images Collection.
N137PB
MSN: 4128 Mfr Date: July 14, 1941 Current Reg: N137PB Current location: Cape Cod Airfield, Barnstable, MA
After the demise of PBA in 1988, N137PB spent more than 2 decades parked at Fremont, Ohio (14G), registered to the Northern Illinois Aircraft Museum. After the owner passed away, the aircraft was sold, returned to airworthy condition and flown to Thomaston, Georgia in 2014 where it remained for over two years.
On May 4, 2017, N137PB, still adorned in the late 1980s colors of Eastern Express, departed Thomaston for its new home at Cape Cod Airfield where it joined another former PBA DC-3, N35PB (now N61981).
In late October 2018, the aircraft was repainted in basic 1970s PBA colors minus the titles and logo. Here it is on October 24, 2018 with one side freshly painted in red, white and black. Photo credit: Chris Siderwicz Jr. via Pete Johnson.
MSN: 4128 Mfr Date: July 14, 1941 Current Reg: N137PB Current location: Cape Cod Airfield, Barnstable, MA
After the demise of PBA in 1988, N137PB spent more than 2 decades parked at Fremont, Ohio (14G), registered to the Northern Illinois Aircraft Museum. After the owner passed away, the aircraft was sold, returned to airworthy condition and flown to Thomaston, Georgia in 2014 where it remained for over two years.
On May 4, 2017, N137PB, still adorned in the late 1980s colors of Eastern Express, departed Thomaston for its new home at Cape Cod Airfield where it joined another former PBA DC-3, N35PB (now N61981).
In late October 2018, the aircraft was repainted in basic 1970s PBA colors minus the titles and logo. Here it is on October 24, 2018 with one side freshly painted in red, white and black. Photo credit: Chris Siderwicz Jr. via Pete Johnson.
Thanks to Richard Hancock for sending in this fantastic photo of N137PB departing Thomaston on May 4, 2017.
N137PB at Thomaston, Georgia on May 24, 2015. The props were back in place a month later. Many thanks to Norbert Raith for this photo!
Two former PBA DC-3s reunited! N28AA, formerly N139PB, poses with N137PB at Thomaston, GA on June 29, 2015. Photo courtesy of the Candler Field Museum.
N137PB was the last DC-3 to still retain the original PBA / Eastern Express passenger cabin configuration. This photo came from the Fremont Airport Facebook page in May 2010. Presumably the interior is still intact. I flew as a passenger on this aircraft between Miami and Marathon in December 1981 and it's a joy to see this in such good condition.
N38PB
MSN: 2137 Mfr Date: May 16, 1939 Last registration: XA-RPE Location: Cockpit is at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium in Tulsa, OK
Originally delivered to American Airlines as "Flagship Tulsa", this aircraft flew with Aero Libertad in Mexico for many years after its time with PBA. By 2009 it had been trucked to American Airlines' hangar 4D in Tulsa, OK to undergo a full restoration. (Dozens of photos of the initial restoration process can be found in this thread at Warbird Information Exchange.) Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Jim Gentry, who worked on the restoration, reported on August 2, 2015: "The airplane was worked on for some time but it became apparent that the corrosion was just too severe to continue. We are going to redo the cockpit and cut it off aft of mail door for display in the Tulsa Air and Space Museum". Below: View of former N38PB in the American Airlines hangar in 2009.
MSN: 2137 Mfr Date: May 16, 1939 Last registration: XA-RPE Location: Cockpit is at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium in Tulsa, OK
Originally delivered to American Airlines as "Flagship Tulsa", this aircraft flew with Aero Libertad in Mexico for many years after its time with PBA. By 2009 it had been trucked to American Airlines' hangar 4D in Tulsa, OK to undergo a full restoration. (Dozens of photos of the initial restoration process can be found in this thread at Warbird Information Exchange.) Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Jim Gentry, who worked on the restoration, reported on August 2, 2015: "The airplane was worked on for some time but it became apparent that the corrosion was just too severe to continue. We are going to redo the cockpit and cut it off aft of mail door for display in the Tulsa Air and Space Museum". Below: View of former N38PB in the American Airlines hangar in 2009.
Here's the cockpit in the original American Airlines "Flagship Tulsa" colors at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum in March 2022. Photo credit: Riverside Ford of Tulsa
What happened to the rest of the airplane? Well, it was chopped up and sold as souvenir tags in the museum gift shop. A July 2018 Twitter post announced: "You can own a piece of Tulsa Aviation history! Now on sale in our museum store are luggage tags that were cut from the body of the American Airlines DC-3 known as Flagship Tulsa!"
N139PB
Updated April 13, 2022
MSN: 2239 Mfr Date: June 23, 1940 Current Reg: N28AA Owner: Shannon Air Museum Location: Shannon Airport (KEZF) in Fredericksburg, VA Status: Museum display. Being returned to airworthy status.
For a very detailed pictorial history of this particular aircraft CLICK HERE.
After spending 3 decades based in Georgia, this former PBA DC-3 moved to its current home at the Shannon Air Museum in Fredericksburg, VA in January 2021. It suffered substantial damage to the control surfaces during a microburst while parked at the museum on July 14, 2021 and has been grounded since then. Current owner and President of the Shannon Air Museum Luke Curtas sent this photo on December 5, 2023 showing the DC-3 in pristine condition with a brand new paint job and "Shannon Air Express" titles.
N28AA is pictured in 2023 at its current home in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Luke Curtas.
Updated April 13, 2022
MSN: 2239 Mfr Date: June 23, 1940 Current Reg: N28AA Owner: Shannon Air Museum Location: Shannon Airport (KEZF) in Fredericksburg, VA Status: Museum display. Being returned to airworthy status.
For a very detailed pictorial history of this particular aircraft CLICK HERE.
After spending 3 decades based in Georgia, this former PBA DC-3 moved to its current home at the Shannon Air Museum in Fredericksburg, VA in January 2021. It suffered substantial damage to the control surfaces during a microburst while parked at the museum on July 14, 2021 and has been grounded since then. Current owner and President of the Shannon Air Museum Luke Curtas sent this photo on December 5, 2023 showing the DC-3 in pristine condition with a brand new paint job and "Shannon Air Express" titles.
N28AA is pictured in 2023 at its current home in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Luke Curtas.
Luke sent this photo in April 2022 showing the new tail logo.
Previous owner Jim Sells flew it regularly to air shows and locally from Peachtree City, GA. It was also a common sight at nearby Thomaston, GA (cheap avgas) and the Peach State Aerodrome (good food) near Williamson, GA.
Below: N28AA at the EAA Airventure Fly-In at Oshkosh on July 21, 2019 sporting "Stars & Stripes" titles with "Old Glory" on the tail. Photo courtesy of Prestwick Aviation Photography.
Below: N28AA at the EAA Airventure Fly-In at Oshkosh on July 21, 2019 sporting "Stars & Stripes" titles with "Old Glory" on the tail. Photo courtesy of Prestwick Aviation Photography.
Ron Alexander owned this aircraft for 25 years and flew it in a variety of roles. It served as a promotional aircraft for his various companies (the AA in the registration referred to his company Alexander Aeroplane); was used for flight training; was a popular attraction at air shows; it appeared in several major motion pictures and even hosted an in-flight wedding.
Mr. Alexander, who graciously sent in dozens of photos and frequent updates on the latest activity of this aircraft, was killed in the crash of a restored JN-4 Jenny on November 17, 2016. He is sorely missed.
Mr. Alexander, who graciously sent in dozens of photos and frequent updates on the latest activity of this aircraft, was killed in the crash of a restored JN-4 Jenny on November 17, 2016. He is sorely missed.
N40PB
MSN: 2167 Mfr Date: August 21, 1939 Last Reg: XA-RPN Location: Shell Creek Airpark (F13), Punta Gorda, Florida Status: to be scrapped and used for parts
After flying with Aero Libertad in Mexico, XA-RPN had been parked at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh since the 1990s. In early 2015 it was trucked to Shell Creek Airpark near Punta Gorda, FL to provide parts for the restoration of N133D, the oldest existing DC-3.
This sad sight was captured by Jannik Femmerling on May 26, 2015.
MSN: 2167 Mfr Date: August 21, 1939 Last Reg: XA-RPN Location: Shell Creek Airpark (F13), Punta Gorda, Florida Status: to be scrapped and used for parts
After flying with Aero Libertad in Mexico, XA-RPN had been parked at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh since the 1990s. In early 2015 it was trucked to Shell Creek Airpark near Punta Gorda, FL to provide parts for the restoration of N133D, the oldest existing DC-3.
This sad sight was captured by Jannik Femmerling on May 26, 2015.
The front end of former N40PB seen in November 2016. Photo courtesy of Michael Prophet.
XA-RPN at the Basler Facility in Oshkosh, Wisconsin prior to the move to Florida.
N43PB
MSN: 1953 Mfr Date: July 10, 1937 Last Reg: XA-RPO Location: Huatulco International Airport, Mexico Status: static display
After its service with PBA, former N43PB moved to Mexico and spent several years flying with Aero Libertad registered as XA-RPO. It is now on static display at Huatulco International Airport, Mexico adorned in a wild psychedelic paint job complete with a lizard face. Photo taken March 4, 2015 by Sibille Regis.
MSN: 1953 Mfr Date: July 10, 1937 Last Reg: XA-RPO Location: Huatulco International Airport, Mexico Status: static display
After its service with PBA, former N43PB moved to Mexico and spent several years flying with Aero Libertad registered as XA-RPO. It is now on static display at Huatulco International Airport, Mexico adorned in a wild psychedelic paint job complete with a lizard face. Photo taken March 4, 2015 by Sibille Regis.
Here's a detail of the freshly painted lizard face taken by Sergio Mota - Aviation Photography of Mexico on June 19, 2013. His original caption reads, "And this is how you ruin a nice classic bird..."
Here she is on June 15, 2011 before her makeover. Photo credit: Jonathan Parra.
If you have updates or photos of any of these aircraft, please contact me!
