will feature a demonstration unlike any previously staged at the World Center of Racing. Jumpers will exit the historic 1941 Douglas DC-3 Mr. Douglas (N129H), operated by Friends of Mr. Douglas, before professional canopy swooper Tyler Hudson crosses the Start/Finish line at more than 90 mph, inches above the pavement, and drives to the checkered flag. The team will also present a large U.S. flag, the ASRA banner, and additional canopy displays as part of the program.
This is the world famous Mr. Douglas Skydiving Aircraft. Mr. Douglas is a 1941 DC-3A
Designed and built by the Douglas Corporation in Santa Monica California.
The DC stands for Douglas Commercial
The 3 stands for the version of the Aircraft
The A stand stands for Airliner
Mr. Douglas was commissioned by United Airlines in April 1941
The DC3 was the first all metal commercial airplane, prior to that aircraft were made of fabric and were much slower.
The DC3 was the first airliner to make the airlines profitable, they no longer needed government subsidies to keep them flying.
The Aircraft is powered by two Pratt and Whitney 1830–75 engines capable of producing 1350 hp. That’s like having 14 Harley Davidson motorcycles on each wing spinning those large propellers.
After flying for the airlines for a number of years, the DC3 was replaced by the DC4, which was a four engine pressurized aircraft that could fly above the clouds.
Aircraft that no longer have a viable use for commercial passengers end up flying as corporate Aircraft or keep flying passengers in remote or third world countries or cargo.
In 1952 the Hilton corporation purchase the Aircraft and converted it to an executive Aircraft with a new registration of N129H it carries the same registration Number today.
The Hilton’s flew the airplane around the world buying hotels. Conrad Hilton and his family use the Aircraft on many occasions to include passengers Elizabeth, Taylor, and Jaja Gabor the airplane has quite a history when it comes to its ownership by the Hilton’s. Baron Hilton used to fly his friends from LA to the flying M Ranch For weekend outings
But all good things had to come to an end and in 1963 the Hilton had to sell the aircraft because of tax issues.
Donald Douglas purchase the Aircraft in 1964
The Douglas corporation used it for several years, just flying him and his ex executives to his manufacturing facilities in Southern California. Donald Douglas and the Douglas corporation were the designers and manufacturers of the DC3. In 1964 they had just rolled out the DC9 which was a jet Aircraft.
But instead of retiring them, there’s still one place left. They can go and we’re most commercial Aircraft end up at the end of their lifecycle as flying skydivers.
So everything changed in 1972 a group of skydivers bought the Aircraft N129H and converted it into a jump Aircraft The Aircraft was based in Deland, Florida
The jump school ripped out that fancy interior and installed paratrooper seats out of a C 47 aircraft that had flown paratroopers during the D-Day invasion. The C47 is the military version of the DC3.
The DC3 became a very popular platform for competition jumping because you could carry so many people up to 40. All of the national Skydiving championships from 1972 until 1987 were flown out of DC3 so they were very much in demand.
Because of the history of the Aircraft being owned by Donald Douglas himself, one of the pilots Coined The name, Mr. Douglas.
Most airplanes are females, but not Mr. Douglas it’s a he and a lot of people like to call him, her! And we have to correct them. Mr. Douglas is one of the only male aircraft.
People came from all over the world to jump the DC3 and a team train prior to the national championships and the world championships.
We estimate that more than 250,000 people had jumped Mr. Douglas from 1973 until 2001.
Everyone loved jumping Mr. Douglas it was faster And it was the only DC3 with the stereo system. We listen to our favorite music all the way up to 12,500 feet.
Mr. Douglas Blew an engine in the spring of 2001 his commercial life was Over. Turbine Aircraft became affordable, which were more reliable and less expensive to maintain. Then the DC3 it’s basically put them out of business.
Until Some skydivers in 2017 after the plane had been parked on the tarmac in Tullahoma Tennessee We decided to resurrect Mr. Douglas because it was so important to preserve our history for future generations. OK
A 501(c)(3) public charity was set up, and we began to raise money and restore Mr. Douglas better than he had ever been
It was too important for us not to lose this history. After 7 1/2 years and every dime raised and with all the blood sweat and tears of all the volunteers that sacrificed on April 4, 2026 Mr. Douglas took back to the skies Again!
