Restoring the 'Beach City Baby' Douglas DC-3

A chance encounter led Jason Capra to form a nonprofit to purchase, restore, and operate a Douglas DC-3 that hadn't flown in 24 years, the 'Beach City Baby'. Capra has a dedicated group of volunteers that are committed to maintaining the aircraft and supporting his nonprofit, Vintage Wings Inc.
Learn more about Vintage Wings Inc: www.vintagewingsinc.com/
#aopa #aviation #vintageaviation #dc3 #restoration #aircraftmechanic #airplane #flying
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is the largest community of pilots in the world, providing aviation advocacy, education & inspiration. AOPA has represented the freedom to fly for all pilots since 1939. To learn more about becoming a member visit www.aopa.org/membership

[@emderz]

Hi , I’m Jason’s fiancé. I am so proud of Jason and the vintage wings team for this project in it’s entirety. It’s so much more than an old plane 💪

[@flywithaopa]

It's amazing what Jason and the team have done!

[@retorenfer8702]

Wow, what a story, I am blown away! You guys did a great job. As they once said “keep ‘em flying”!

[@pjsministry7316]

Love this story. When I was growing up, we lived one or two blocks from Ksmo. I watched these birds being made almost every day. I still fly my 1946 Ercoupe. God Bless, Chaplain Billy - N99601

[@pvesely299]

My dad who is 96 years old now, was an A&E tech in the Army Air Corps at the end of WWII. He is almost blind but still enjoys going aloft. He says it’s a great feeling to be up in the air. They are truly the greatest generation. 🙂

[@flywithaopa]

Hi Paul, please thank your dad for his service for us!

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Such a great story. Thanks for saving this great piece of history.

[@erniekelly2479]

Wow. Great story.

[@MrSuzuki1187]

The DC-3 does not have a spar. The outer wings are attached to the center section just outboard of the engine nacelles by 328 machine bolts per wing, placed inches apart, for a total of 656 bolts for both wings. The bolts are protected by a cover which you can see in Jason's video at 1:37 point. Because there is no spar, the DC-3 is only stressed of .75 negative Gs. I noticed several things about his DC-3. It has Pratt & Whitney R-1830 14 cylinder engine, probably Dash 92s, with 1200 hp each. Some DC-3s were equipped with 9 cylinder Wright R-1820 engines, also of 1200 hp. No deicing boots, a one piece windscreen where most had a 2 piece windshield. The left engine's prop is feathered which might have been due to an inflight engine failure. What a dramatic difference in appearance between the day he first saw it and the photo in his video. Lots of TLC went into that restoration.

[@Ohio-PPG-Trike-Adventures]

Great story and restoration.

[@flywithaopa]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@miguelmanzur3928]

Great Love Story with a DC 3 aircraft thank you for sharing it it's beautiful

[@flywithaopa]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@collinmccallum]

great work!

[@rickholman3182]

Awesome!

[@markfriebel3774]

The previous owner, Ken Joseph, lives adjacent from me on the Put-in-Bay airport. He used to talk about it with me.

[@andrewreardon5581]

Spine tingling.......inspiring! Many thanks!

[@user-rf1dk8np4s]

I was a flight engineer on the C47s usaf in 60s grand old plane

[@danieltexeira3589]

WOW, awesome.

[@flywithaopa]

Glad you think so!

[@chandlerwebb7278]

Hey! I’m a young aviator looking to do the EXACT same thing with a DC-3…I’d love to get in touch with the “powers that be” so to speak to try and pick brains and whatnot. Any chance you could link me up to Jason and his crew??

[@situationalawarenes]

You made a dent in the universe.

[@sportster16301]

This made me a little misty.