A rare opportunity has emerged for aviation enthusiasts and collectors: one of the last remaining Douglas DC-2 aircraft is now up for sale. With only eight known examples of the iconic airliner left in the world, the aircraft—serial number 1288—is currently housed at the Nederlands Transport Museum in Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands. Its sale comes amid the unfortunate announcement that the museum is set to close its doors permanently due to unresolved disputes with local authorities.
Originally delivered to Eastern Airlines and later flown in Australia under the registration VC-CRH, this particular DC-2 is currently displayed at the museum with the fictional registration PK-AFK. According to the museum, the aircraft will be sold “as is, where is,” but potential buyers will have access to on-site workshop facilities, tools, and support with logistical and legal procedures to ease the transfer process.
Often referred to as “the mother of all modern aluminum aircraft,” the Douglas DC-2 revolutionized air travel when it entered service in the 1930s. It rendered earlier designs instantly obsolete with its sleek monoplane configuration and all-metal construction. The DC-2 proved its capabilities in dramatic fashion by winning the handicap portion of the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from London to Melbourne, outperforming many larger and faster competitors thanks to its reliability and range.
Only 198 DC-2s were ever built, serving nearly 30 civil and military operators around the globe. During World War II, the aircraft flew under both Axis and Allied markings. Serial number 1288 was grounded in 1947 after 13 years of service, making it one of the most original and unmodified survivors of its type.
The aircraft features its original cockpit and a cabin interior built for the Dutch television series Flying Dutchmen. While the DC-2 remains in reasonably good condition, it will require restoration work, particularly to the lower fuselage, cowlings, and aft upper fuselage. Two fuselage-to-wing fairings are missing. However, the airplane comes with authentic Douglas cabin upholstery, which could prove invaluable to a historically accurate restoration. It also includes two Wright R-1820 engines, “toothpick” propellers, and a selection of spare parts, though the engines are reportedly leaking oil.
This sale comes at a difficult time for the Nederlands Transport Museum. As reported by Vintage Aviation News, the museum is being forced to shut down following a series of unresolved conflicts with the local municipality of Haarlemmermeer. The closure will impact not only the future of this DC-2 but also many other unique vehicles and aircraft currently housed in the museum’s collection. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Arno van der Holst at the Nederlands Transport Museum for more details: [email protected].
