The definitive tribute to the amazing DC-3

Discover the extraordinary story of Donald Douglas and the DC-3. A timely celebration of invention, collaboration and legacy, as well as a reminder of why this aircraft continues to inspire the world.

The Spirit of Douglas book is a must for anyone who loves the DC-3

Marking the 90th anniversary of the aircraft that changed the world, this beautifully crafted volume stands as the most complete and ambitious tribute ever made to Donald Douglas and his creation. It tells the story of how one of history’s most charismatic and compassionate engineers built a company that drew together some of the world’s finest minds around a single, audacious vision: to make flight accessible to all.

Richly illustrated with rare and colourised photographs and breathtaking air-to-air imagery from the Spirit of Douglas global tour, this book captures both the engineering brilliance and the enduring soul of the DC-3.

Start reading now

Get an exclusive preview of the first chapter.  It covers Donald Douglas’s early life to the first flight of the Cloudster, the precursor to the Douglas World Cruisers that were the first aircraft to fly around the world in 1924.

Read Chapter 1

Own the story

On 17 December — the 90th anniversary of the DC-3 — The Spirit of Douglas launches in digital and Kindle editions, with the hardcover to follow. Click below and we’ll let you know as soon as orders open.

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The authors

Geoffrey Thomas has spent over 50 years reporting on aviation and has written 18 books. He has won 47 awards including overall Aerospace Journalist of the Year in 2009, a Lifetime Achievement award in 2018 and a Decade of Excellence Award in 2020. Geoffrey is a regular commentator on CNN, the BBC, Australian and New Zealand TV and radio, and has also been published in: The West Australian, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He publishes daily on YouTube under @geoffreythomas-on-air and is editor-in-chief of airline auditing website 42kft.com.

Mike Machat is also a world renowned aviation author, publisher and aviation artist. He has served in the U.S.A.F before being hired by McDonnell Douglas as a Staff Illustrator and Corporate Representative. Mike has four paintings in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and eight in the Pentagon. Mike holds an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate and has logged more than 2,000 flights in sailplanes. He has flown in nearly 250 different types of aircraft on assignment. He currently serves as Curator and Historian of the Museum of Flying.

Geoffrey and Mike have worked together on various projects for over 40 years with a common admiration for Donald Douglas.