Perpetual Motion

S02E06

The DC-3 Dakota

From its origins in passenger travel in the 1930s, through war and a return to civilian use, the Dakota has flown more miles and carried more passengers and cargo than any other aeroplane in the world. The reassuring drone of its two Pratt and Whitney engines has offered comfort to millions of passengers on the Douglas DC3 - "the most glamorous, successful and popular plane in airline history." The aircraft was developed in 1935 and more than 10,000 were built for wartime service alone. Nearly 60 years on, there are still 1,500 of these workhorses operating around the globe.