C47A

Space Shuttle vehicle is well known. Some whispers say, it is no-license copy of shuttle Douglas (on the picture). Visionary Douglas engineers built this shuttle shortly after WWII on basis their DC-3 airliner. Prototype was built on basis of frame C-47A BuNo 12789. Unfortunately Douglas was too early (as usual) not only for Boeing, but also for the market. Human race was not ready for entering The Space. The only piece built was moved to secret storages in Groom Lake, known as Area 51. It has sold to the private person after expiration of secret status in year 2000 and converted into intergalactic cafe. This photograph is not in a perfect quality because of complete surprise of author – taken shortly after landing on highway in between Tucson and San Diego in year 2008. The speed was still really high and the plane landed as a glider (very silently).