The twin-engine propeller-driven Douglas DC-3 – that was previously owned by American Airlines (among other North American airliners) – and that now flies under Breitling colors is set to make its first landing in Macau on April 23.
The legendary 77-year-old aircraft has been in use since March 9, 1940 and will visit the region as part of the Breitling DC-3 World Tour initiative that proposes to take a trip around the globe with a number of stopovers. Each stopover on the tour (that began in Geneva last month) will make the most of the aircraft through showcasing events and air shows.
During the trip, the final stop of which will be in Macau, the DC-3 has flown from Geneva into the Balkans, moving on to the Middle East and the Gulf states and India before charting a course towards Taipei and Shanghai. After Shanghai it will reach Macau, the final destination.
When completed, the Breitling DC-3 will become the oldest ever aircraft to undertake an around-the-world tour.
A spokesperson from the company said in a statement that, “The Macau stopover is set to be the biggest aviation event in town,” adding, “we believe the Breitling DC-3’s arrival brings forth an inspiration for Macau’s future generations” which means that interested parties in Macau can connect with its aeronautical heritage and culture, foster their interest in aviation and the excitement may even prove to inspire the next generation of pilots.
Beside the amazing journey that is currently being undertaken, the aircraft itself is a piece of aviation history. After its maiden flight in 1940, it was in the service of American Airlines until 1942 when it was hired out to the US army forces from 1942 to 1944.
It has been used as a bomber, fighter, flying hospital, paratroopers’ transport, and sightseeing aircraft before it was purchased in 2008 by pilot Francisco Agullo and a group of friends with Breitling’s support to undertake a full restoration process.
Carrying the legacy of the boom age of US aviation during the 1930s, the DC-3 has become a legend of worldwide aviation thanks to its performance, sturdiness and low fuel consumption that allow it to undertake long-
haul trips.
Currently the aircraft is going through a scheduled maintenance inspection at Seletar Airport, Singapore after four intensive weeks of flying from Geneva into Southeast Asia.
The Breitling DC-3 World Tour is set to continue on April 21 when it will fly from Singapore to its next destination, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, one stop closer on its journey to Macau.
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