Aircraft Information

You have probably heard of a C-47 or a DC-3 but you may be wondering what a C-49J is…. When the United States got involved in WWII, the Douglas Company had several DC-3 type aircraft in production for various airlines. With the sudden need for more transport aircraft to enter military service, the government commissioned Douglas to reassign current aircraft on the production line as government transports. These examples of the DC-3 became known as the C-49. The C-49 was basically a DC-3 that was adopted by the U.S. government. Since the airframes were already mostly build up to airline standards, the C-49s had some major structural differences from the C-47s which were originally intended for military service from the start. The main differences between a C-49 and a C-47 include: no cargo door, no cargo floor, no reinforced landing gear, no glider tow, and different powerplants. All C-49 models were powered by the Wright Cyclone 9 1820 engines, while the C-47 was powered by the Pratt & Whitney 1830. There were only 138 aircraft that received the C-49 designation, and 34 of those received the J. Today our Southern Cross is the only remaining airworthy C-49J model in existence.

Originally intended for American Airlines, Southern Cross rolled off the Douglas assembly line in Santa Monica, CA on November 14th 1942 as SN6315 and was received by the Air Transport Command (43-1975). Although information from her service card is limited, we know that she flew with the Air Transport Command 6th Ferrying Group 1st Ferrying Squadron. The airframe was released form service in July of 1944 and was acquired by Chicago & Southern Airways. C&S sent Southern Cross back to the Douglas “re- conversion” plant to be re-converted into a DC-3. One of the most prominent modifications recorded at that time was the relocation of the cabin door from the right side of the fuselage to the left. C&S merged with Delta Airlines in 1953, and that is when Southern Cross ended her commercial airline career and became a private aircraft with numerous owners both in the US and Mexico. Greatest Generation Aircraft acquired Southern Cross in 2003 and a full restoration was completed including the installation of period accurate radio room and navigator’s compartments.

Southern Cross Douglas C-49J Timeline & Facts

•Built by Douglas in Santa Monica California on November 14, 1942 (83 years old)

•One of 138 C-49 variants produced (only two still flying)

•34 received the specific C-49J designation (SC is the only one left flying)

•Originally intended for American Airlines

•Delivered to Army Air Transport Command as SN 6315 (43-1975)

•Out of Government service on July 29 1944- converted to a civilian DC-3

•Purchased by Chicago and Southern Airlines

•Entered civilian service on October 21, 1944 as “City of Little Rock”

•C&S merged with Delta in 1953, and the aircraft was sold to Aero Leasing Corp

•Multiple civilian owners- in the US and Mexico.

•Jump Plane named “Southern Cross”

•With Greatest Generation Aircraft since the Non-Profit was founded.