The Museum of Flying hosted a rededication ceremony for its refurbished DC-3 Monument on Thursday, December 17, 2015. The first flight of a DC-3 took place 80 years ago today on December 17, 1935, at the Santa Monica Airport. These aircraft were so successful and reliable that many DC-3 aircraft remain in service throughout the world today. The aircraft on display was built here at Santa Monica Airport and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps as a C-53-DO on February 17, 1942. Its initial role was as a 28-seat paratrooper and glider tug.The DC-3 monument refurbishment project has been funded through a grant from the The employees Community Fund of Boeing, California. The project is a partnership between the City of Santa Monica, The Museum of Flying, and The Employees Community fund of Boeing, California.a.