Confessions of an Airshow Announcer

An ongoing series by Tom Lymburn

"Ladies and gentlemen, to your right, on final approach, the greatest transport plane in history. Cameras ready! Please welcome, the Douglas DC-3!"

She came "over the fence" flaring for runway niner-right. Gear down, flaps down, the late morning sun sharp on her pseudo-Navy prewar two-tone blue paint scheme. Red and white tail stripes, star and meatball insignia, chrome plated prop blades flashing in the sun. Not exactly stock, she had oversized spinners, shortened exhausts, landing gear doors, modern antennas, and close cowlings. Painted on her nose was "Miss...