Douglas DC-3 (N3006)

There was no one on board because the crew had just gone back to the terminal leaving me to get any photos I wanted. When these black clouds came over rather suddenly, I thought it was going to start snowing, and I planned to either get someone to close up the stairs or I was going to close them myself. However, the strong and gusty north wind blew the dark clouds away just as quickly as it had blown them overhead and within a few minutes the sun was back out, but not before I was able to snap some cool shots with the very dark clouds in them.

Gary... that overcast sky lighting does wonders for photographic results!

Very nice, Gary. Agree with Cliff regarding the dark clouds. And yes - you seem to have an awful lot of good fortune!

That is a beatiful airplane and an outstanding photograph. Great job of getting the image with the contrasting light.

FAA registry says this one was built in 1946, making it among the last of the 12750 or so built.

That Gary is a photographers dream. You would not have gotten the contrast on the aircraft skin without the aid of those clouds. Great shot - kudos. A very nice DC-3 to be sure.

Gary - great shot of that DC3 with lots of atmosphere. You probably know the British called the DC3 a 'Dakota' which was abbreviated to 'Dak'. The pax door/stairs and cargo door being open add to the image along with the cart by the nose of the aircraft.

This particular aircraft sports 8 windows on each side, normally they have 6 or 7, I suppose done by the lucky owner to have more of his friends enjoy the ride on his beauty.

This DC-3 is a hell of a lot better and nicer, inside and out than new. Just watch this awesome video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evSgvRxv0Ro&t=295s

Thanks for the memories! The worlds greatest airplane ever! I had the wonderful privilege of flying as a stewardess on
one! gotta love the DC3!

Great shot, Gary!

Great shot Gary. We have some awesome cloud patterns here in Reno. You're so fortunate to live by the airport and better yet, you're an awesome photographer.

Cliff, Viv, Jimmy, Paul, CBOGINSK, Peter, Chalet, Candace, Greg, and jet4ang ... Howdy to all of you. Thanks to each for your comments and compliments. This was a pure stroke of good fortune for me. Actually, two strokes of gf; first, the diversion and second, that strange black cloud that came blowing in and then went blowing right back out. Note to jet4ang ... I have no way to contact you. Not long ago, I tried to contact you via a posted comment in this gallery to offer you a chance to go up in a Marine Osprey. You did not see my post. I need some way to contact you. Do not post contact info here. E/M me at [email protected] . Also, I don't live anywhere near the airport. I live 40 miles away. Note to Candace ... I had to smile when I read your comment that you were a stewardess. I've got a lot of mileage behind me (ie: I'm an old timer) so when I comment under my pics I occasionally refer to female Flight Attendants as Stewardesses. I did it a few months back ... and I got roasted. lol Young female FA emailed me to tell me that this is the 21st Century and perhaps I ought to catch up. I did apologize (and I did delete my remark), but I also explained that back in my younger days, Flight Attendants were Stewardesses and I'm getting a bit too old to try and "catch up." Besides, seems like just about anything anybody says or does nowadays offends somebody, and I am tired of trying to keep track of it all. So, Candace, I'm very pleased that you liked my pic, and I thank you for using the term Stewardess. If you enter KBUF in the FA Gallery search box, the very first page that pops up has many of my 1960s-era photos that I took at KBUF as a kid. You'll be able to know which ones. And I have more but no way to get them to you. Chalet ... I was invited to climb in for a brief walk thru. Gorgeous interior! (Wave) Chalet, Peter and Paul ... TYVM to all of you for the added info about this aircraft. I and several others always appreciate it when someone is willing to provide more info. TYVM, guys. Cliff, Viv, Jimmy and CBOGINSK ... That highly polished silver exterior was not only reflecting the sun, it was also reflecting the blue sky. The wind was really blowing quite strong, and it brought that dark cloud in (from I don't know where), and I actually ran farther back down the ramp to get the entire ship in the pic while the cloud was there. Cliff and CBOGINSK ... You are 100% correct. That cloud made the contrast that made this shot possible. Once again, Thank You to all of you.

I believe buy the lighting stripe on the side of the aircraft, this was an old America Airlines airplane, back in the day.

Great shot.

Thank you, Gary, for the good words!!!

You did a spectacular job with this photo capture.

There's something to be said for a sharp "photographer's eye" in recognizing when such a rare available lighting opportunity becomes present and then taking advantage of the fleeting moment!!!

I'll take the DC-3 over the Challenger 604 next door please! Just a great pic! 5 stars again! Thank you very much Gary! Cheers!!

Beautiful picture Gary. 5*+++

that is one angry sky, brother. Very cool shot!

What an awesome example of such a classic aircraft. Lucky you!

What an awesome example of such a classic aircraft. Lucky you!