American Airlines Iconic DC-3 Plane On Display in Tulsa Through Sunday

A restored DC-3, the Flagship Detroit, delivered to American Airlines in 1937, is on display at Sparks Aviation at the Tulsa International Airport through Sunday.

Members of the Flagship Detroit Foundation are on hand to provide tours and answer questions about the historic aircraft.

Owned and operated by the foundation, the Flagship Detroit went through a major restoration eight years ago to return the exterior and interior to its original configuration.

Don Lemon, the president of the foundation, said Flagship Detroit is the oldest flying DC-3 in the world. The first DC-3 began flying in December 1935, and American Airlines received its first model in the spring of 1937, he said.

"It was all first-class," Lemon said of the plane that seats 21 passengers. "The folks would all come out in their fine suits and dresses and got on board. It was a first-class way of travel back in the 30s and 40s."

The foundation will also be taking up a group to fly over Tulsa Saturday night, Lemon said.

"The DC-3 is basically the airplane that changed commercial aviation, he said.

Sparks Aviation is just south of the Tulsa Air & Space Museum.