On August 8, the globe-spanning Douglas DC-3 Spirit of Douglas was the honoured guest at a luncheon held at the Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka Airfield, Blenheim, New Zealand. The luncheon served two purposes: to enable the celebrated DC-3’s owners to describe their aircraft and goals, and to raise funds for the construction of a new wing at the world-class Aviation Heritage Centre, which is currently drawing up plans for expansion. The venue’s Dangerous Skies display hall, dedicated to aircraft of WWII, served as the dining hall. Seats were limited for the event, which included a set lunch of locally grown produce and a choice of local beverages. The Aviation Heritage Centre is in New Zealand’s largest wine-growing region.
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
The focal point of the luncheon was a series of speeches by Spirit of Douglas personnel. These were the highlight for many, providing insight into the organisation and its ambitions. First to speak was New Zealand native Mark Stewart, an enthusiast, Robert Plant look-alike, and self-described “custodian” of the DC-3, who spoke about the journey so far. The intent of Spirit of Douglas is not only to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the iconic DC-3, but also to commemorate the Douglas company and the legacy of its founder, Donald Wills Douglas. In honour of Douglas, the aircraft wears the family motto, “Jamais arrière”—“Never behind”—a fitting tribute.
(Image credit: DC-3 Society)
On April 6, 1924, four Douglas World Cruiser biplanes, named Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, and Seattle, departed from Sand Point, Seattle, on the first leg of a highly ambitious aerial circumnavigation of the world. After 175 days, travelling more than 27,550 miles and landing in 22 countries, Chicago and New Orleans arrived back in Seattle. Seattle had suffered an engine failure over Alaska, crashing into mountainous terrain in heavy fog. Thankfully, there were no casualties. Boston, the prototype World Cruiser, was forced into the sea near the Faroe Islands en route to Iceland, but again, the crew were unhurt. Happily, Chicago and New Orleans survive to this day, the former taking pride of place in the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall in Washington, D.C.
This incredible feat of perseverance inspired Mark to embark on a similarly ambitious circumnavigation in the DC-3. The aircraft is adorned with the legend “First around the world.” Visible as visitors enter the cabin through the side door, it serves as a reminder of the challenge facing the crew, now midway through their journey. The World Cruiser Tour began inauspiciously at Aurora State Airport, Oregon, on August 16, 2025, with a short hop to Redmond Municipal Airport, a mere 105 miles from Aurora.
The journey has not been without incident. Unexpected maintenance issues arose with disappointing regularity—the perils of operating an 83-year-old aircraft. Following its overhaul with Aerometal International at Aurora, the aircraft embarked on a series of flights around some of the continental United States’ most familiar landmarks, where it was exquisitely captured on film and in still photographs against stunning vistas. Hydraulic issues haunted the aircraft during the journey east as it made its way to Goose Bay, Canada, its departure point from North America. More trouble was to come. At Nasarak, Greenland, a fuel boost pump failure threatened to end the mission, but after several days of head-scratching and a eureka moment for the maintenance team, a solution was found.
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
The Atlantic crossing was timed so that Spirit of Douglas could join an aerial convoy of DC-3s and C-47s making their way to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord—a journey the aircraft had made before. In 2019, decorated in Civil Air Transport colours as Spirit of Benovia, the aircraft took part in the 75th anniversary of Overlord, attending the rained-out Daks Over Normandy event at Caen-Carpiquet Airport. I joined several thousand others in braving the wet weather to watch the assembled flotilla of Douglas aircraft remain firmly earthbound! Following Mark’s account of the journey so far, project director Nige Watson spoke about the logistics of arranging such a trip, including a humorous tale involving Captain Curt Lewis, the larger-than-life lead pilot of Spirit of Douglas, as the aircraft approached Sydney, Australia. On Sunday, March 12, 2026, before departing Bankstown Airport, the crew had called to request clearance for a flyover of Sydney Harbour to take in its spectacular geography and iconic landmarks. Permission was granted. As the aircraft approached the city, however, clearance to cruise over the glamorous inner city was denied. Co-pilot Morgan tried again, explaining that they had been given permission earlier and asking whether the controller could check with his supervisor, but clearance was once again denied.
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
With this disappointing outcome, there was only one thing for it. Captain Lewis came on the radio in his southern Texas drawl, explaining that they had been given permission to fly over some of the world’s most impressive skylines, including downtown New York, and asking whether the controller could check with his supervisor again. Following a brief pause, the controller had great news: clearance was granted for a flyover of what is described as one of the world’s most beautiful harbours. Cameras clicked and smiles abounded as passengers and crew peered out their windows at the cityscape below, made possible by the dulcet tones of Captain Lewis’ drawl!
New Zealand was included on the World Cruiser Tour itinerary because, well, it is Mark’s home. His stay at home has lasted longer than anyone on the team anticipated. The uncertain global geopolitical situation has meant that the aircraft cannot follow its originally intended route north through Asia into eastern Russia for the short hop across to Alaska. While in New Zealand, the aircraft was intended to attend the biennial Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow. The team repositioned to Christchurch in the South Island, where the aircraft was housed inside the gleaming GCH Aviation hangar at Christchurch International Airport. While there, a change of the right-hand engine was deemed necessary, and other maintenance niggles were addressed. Sadly, this meant that Spirit of Douglas would not attend what proved to be a wet and windy Warbirds Over Wanaka. However, the aircraft took centre stage within GCH Aviation’s spotless facility during the organisation’s public open day in April, when Mark and other team members were available to answer questions from the several thousand attendees.
The untimely engine change brought the small but active aviation community at Omaka Airfield, Blenheim, into the Spirit of Douglas orbit. Tasked with carrying out the work was a team from JEM Aviation, which specialises in warbird and classic aircraft restorations. Through JEM Aviation’s chief engineer, Jay McIntyre, Mark met the individuals managing the Aviation Heritage Centre, where the luncheon was held.
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
Following the account of how the luncheon came about, we were invited to view the interior of Spirit of Douglas in table-number order. For those of us awaiting the opportunity to get close to the beautiful Douglas, the Aviation Heritage Centre arranged a treat: engine runs by two aircraft that had been moved out of the museum to accommodate the event. These were the Flug Werk Fw 190A/8N, Wk. Nr. 99901, ZK-RFR, and Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV NH799, ZK-XIV, both owned by the Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection. To the delight of the assembled guests, the Fw 190’s big 1,900 hp Shvetsov ASh-82T coughed into life and roared away, but the Rolls-Royce Griffon in NH799 refused to play ball and remained steadfastly silent. Never mind; seeing the Fw 190 running was a rare treat, as it spends much of its time as a static exhibit within the Dangerous Skies hall.
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
Following that delightful sight, my colleagues and I were invited to board Spirit of Douglas. Being careful to wipe my feet on the red carpet before boarding, I stepped inside and took in the expanse of beige leather trim. Configured as an executive transport, Spirit of Douglas has an interior far removed from those of the many DC-3s that plied the world’s passenger routes in standard airline configurations. Waiting to answer our questions was flight attendant Nancy Vagteveld, whom I had met at the GCH Aviation open day in Christchurch earlier in the year. She was dressed in smart apparel matching the aircraft’s royal blue and teal livery. She spoke with me about the aircraft’s history and its former owner as I settled into one of the plush armchairs enjoyed by the fortunate passengers who travel aboard Spirit of Douglas.
(Image credit: Grant Newman)
Joe Anderson, philanthropist, winemaker, and owner of Benovia Winery in Santa Rosa, California, passed away on August 4, 2026, four days before the luncheon. He was the former custodian of the DC-3 and a good friend to the Spirit of Douglas family, so his loss was keenly felt by everyone that day. A lasting tribute to Anderson is the Benovia Winery logo embroidered on the headrest of each seat cover, which will remain in his honour.
After speaking with Nancy, I made my way onto the flight deck and met Curt Lewis. I was interested to learn that, in addition to flying the 83-year-old DC-3, he was a staff pilot for the Commemorative Air Force in Dallas, Texas. With extensive experience operating vintage and classic aircraft, including the Consolidated B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Grumman Avenger, and Boeing B-29 Superfortress FIFI, Lewis is exceptionally qualified to captain Spirit of Douglas and says he thoroughly enjoys the privilege. I asked about the distinctly non-standard avionics setup, which has been considerably modified from the original configuration. The aircraft has been fitted with multifunction displays, GPS, and nose-mounted weather radar, which Lewis acknowledges make its long transits that bit easier.
For those of us who attended the luncheon, this glimpse into the Spirit of Douglas family was a rewarding and fulfilling way to spend an overcast August day. Since the luncheon, Spirit of Douglas has returned to Christchurch and remains there, awaiting the opportunity to continue its World Cruiser Tour. Meanwhile, I admire the glossy and very reasonably priced doorstop of a coffee-table book written especially to celebrate Spirit of Douglas and the legacy it honours.
