The Spirit of Santa Monica Douglas DC-3 Monument – A Tribute to Donald Douglas Senior

Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. (Boeing Photo)

In 1927 the Douglas Aircraft Corporation was established in Santa Monica, California by Donald Wills Douglas Senior (April 6th, 1892 – February 1st, 1981). His impact on the aviation industry was legendary (please see my previous post) and the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, right next to where Douglas aircraft were built, has a great monument dedicated to Donald Wills Douglas and includes many pieces of memorabilia and artifacts from the Douglas Aircraft Corporation.

The highlight at the museum is the Douglas DC-3 Memorial that stands at the front of the museum. This monument celebrates this most famous of Douglas aircraft that changed the face of air travel and contributed significantly to the Allied victory in World War Two.

Although not a large place, the Museum of Flying has an interesting aircraft collection and the link to the Douglas Aircraft Corporation makes it a worthwhile museum to visit. I spent quite some time there looking about the aircraft and various displays and enjoyed my visit. One to put on the list for sure!

Spirit of Santa Monica – Douglas DC-3 Monument (photo taken during my 2015 visit)

Douglas DC-3 Monument – Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, California (photo taken during my 2015 visit)

Donald Douglas and his famed DC-3

Donald Wills Douglas and his dog Wundebar

Douglas DC-3

Douglas DC-3 Monument – The Spirit of Santa Monica

There is also a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk in a US Navy Blue Angels scheme at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica – North American F-86 Sabre in the background (photo taken during my 2015 visit)

Donald Douglas Snr. Desk and Douglas artefacts at the Museum of Flying

Douglas AIR-2 Genie Nuclear air to air rocket, Douglas artefacts and models at the Museum of Flying

Douglas artefacts and models at the Museum of Flying

Douglas artefacts and models at the Museum of Flying including the Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak, Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket experimental jet aircraft of the late 1940’s and the Douglas Model 2229 Supersonic Transport concept of the 1960’s