DC-3 is generally considered as the most famous airliners and it earned the title of "The only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3."

On July 1, 1933, the DC-1 made its first successful flight.  TWA evaluated the DC-1 and additional requirements resulted a fourteen-seat DC-2 with a more powerful engine.  The DC-2's maiden flight was on May 11, 1934.  There were 108 DC-2s produced.  In 1934, it set a record of a coast-to-coast time of 13 hrs and 4 min.  

In the mid-1930s, the DC-3 incorporates all of the technological advances, a reliable, high-power air-cooled piston enignes, a variable-pitch metal propellers, a retractable landing gear, a duraluminum-alloy fuselage and wings and the electronic autopilot.  It laso incorporates two 1,200-horsepower Pratt and Whitney engines and it cruised at a remarkable 145 knots at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet.  It could carry at least twenty one passengers.  The DC's maiden flight was on December 17, 1935, which was the 32nd anniversary of the Wright Brother's first slight.

The DC-3 was designated by many names, infact, all are considered their official names; its manufacturer called it the "Skytrain" and airlines simply called i the "Three"; the US Army called it the "C-47"; the US Navy called it the "R4D" and was designated as "Dakota" by the British.  It was referred by many pilots and was fondly called as the "Gooney Bird."

It was considered to be one of the four most significant weapons of the War.