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What is the story behind the “Esther Mae”? I just got to ride in this awesome plane. — Elzy M., via email The Esther Mae has been a frequent visitor at the Medford airport, Elzy, although not everybody gets a chance to go up in her. She’s one of only 28 DC-3D planes, made in 1946. The first DC-3 prototype flew Dec. 17, 1935, the 32nd anniversary of the Wright brothers’ landmark Kitty Hawk flight. The DC line was born through a partnership between Transcontinental and Western Airlines (later Trans World Airlines until 2001) and Donald Douglas. The Douglas Commercial (DC) line was formed to compete with the emerging partnership between United Airlines and Boeing. The DC-3s are some of the most popular planes in U.S. history, praised for not only their comfort and style but also their durability and speed. After 1942, civil DC-3s were no longer made. A 2013 Smithsonian article said at least 400 were still flying, mainly used for cargo. Esther Mae has attracted attention both for her distinctive appearance and the fact that not very many of her particular line, the 3Ds, were even created. She’s a corporate airplane that, last we could find out, was owned in 2014 by Jonathan and Esther Phelps and DC3 Flying Circus in Aurora in Marion County. Some Internet sleuthing through airplane enthusiasts’ social websites revealed that the Phelpses have kept the plane for many years in Orlando. As we’re sure you found out, Esther Mae’s interior is famed for being meticulously preserved — all 32 seats kept clean and just as they looked back the ’40s. It’s not by accident that those same enthusiasts know her name across the country. Now that we’ve answered your question about Esther Mae, Elzy, maybe you can answer ours: How do we get a chance to fly in her? Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.