Douglas DC-3 Airplane, N34
Also known as: Douglas serial #33359; Navy BuNO 99856
Why it's listed
Douglas DC-3 N-34 is a twin-engine, all-metal transport airplane built in Oklahoma City in 1945 as a TC-47B for the U.S. Navy. After Navy storage, it entered Civil Aeronautics Administration service in 1957 and later flew for the Federal Aviation Administration as a flight inspection aircraft, checking navigation and landing aids until 1981. It is the last of more than 60 DC-3s modified for that work still held in the FAA inventory. It remains operable, wears an early 1950s CAA paint scheme with orange trim, and is housed at the FAA's Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. The nomination presents it as representative of an aircraft type that reshaped the airline industry and served in World War II, Korea and Southeast Asia. It also credits the design with innovations such as a low wing, retractable gear within the engine nacelles and split flaps. Only 410 of over 10,000 built are still registered in the United States, making it a rare survivor.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the aircraft represents a type that transformed commercial aviation and advanced military aviation in World War II. From 1957 to 1981 it served the CAA/FAA in flight inspection, and it is the last of over 60 modified DC-3s still in the FAA inventory. It is also cited as a significant engineering design and a rare survivor of a once common type.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000443, listed May 29, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Texas Air & Space Museum, 10001 American Dr., Amarillo |
|---|---|
| County | Potter County |
| Listed | May 29, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000443 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1945-1956, 1957-1981 |
| Architect / builder | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Architectural style | OTHER: Transport Airplane |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Engineering |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In operable condition; flown in the airshow season as an educational display airplane and housed in an enclosed hangar when not in use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.39731, -97.61484 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000443.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999896
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.