Called "the airplane that changed the world", the Douglas DC-3 launched the commercial airlines in the 1930’s, flew as a war-time transport in the 1940’s, and continues in active commercial service today.  No other aircraft has achieved or matched the safety record of the Douglas DC-3 or its rugged dependability.  General Dwight Eisenhower listed the Douglas C-47 "Gooney Bird" (DC-3) as one of four pieces of equipment that he considered vital in winning the Second World War.

Douglas produced the DC-3 aircraft from 1935 to 1946.  Some 12,000 DC-3/C-47’s rolled off the production line; an estimated 1,000 are still flying.  MFI's flagship passenger DC-3 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AR turbine engines, each of which produces 1,230 horsepower at takeoff.  The turbine DC-3 cruises at an average of 225 m.p.h., burning 135 gallons per hour and carrying up to 1,030 gallons of fuel.  The cabin of the passenger DC-3's will seat 24 in comfortable reclining seats.

 

The Douglas DC-3 is a proven workhorse and is ideally suited for missionary service because of its versatility, dependability, and low cost of operation.  Fully loaded, it can operate safely off any size airstrip.  MFI has operated Douglas DC-3’s in missionary air support service since 1976 and now owns three of the venerable aircraft, as well as a Cessna 310N.

N200MF

Originally built in 1943, and rebuilt in 1989, N200MF is a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AR turbine engine powered DC-3 purchased in 2003 from Dodson Aviation.  With its greater cargo capacity, faster cruising speed, and reduced maintenance costs, N200MF has become the workhorse of the MFI fleet.

N300MF

Built in 1943, N300MF is a Pratt & Whitney 1830-75 radial engine powered DC-3 purchased in 1980 after serving in Europe for the previous 37 years.  It served as a cargo plane until 1994 when it was refurbished by Missionary Maintenance Service.   N300MF has flown over 30,000 flight hours and now carries not only cargo but passengers as well.

N400MF

Built in 1944, N400MF is a Wright radial engine powered DC-3 purchased from K & K Aircraft in 1987 and was put into service with MFI in 1990 after undergoing intensive refurbishing. N400MF is one of our most faithful DC-3's.  Outfitted with weather radar, 400MF is perfect for cargo or passengers.  It is capable of carrying a large load, yet easily converts to a passenger carrier with little notice.

N500MF

Our newest addition to the MFI Fleet.

N911MF

Built in 1968, N911MF is a Cessna 310N which was donated to MFI in 1996.  N911MF was flown to Missionary Maintenance Services in Ohio in January of 2001.  Over the course of two years the aircraft was thoroughly refurbished.  Both engines were overhauled and new propellers were installed, the landing gear was rebuilt, and extensive corrosion treatment was performed on the aircraft.  After a new interior was installed the aircraft was flown to a paint shop in Canada for the final touches.  In March of 2003, the MFI Cessna 310N rolled out of the hanger with new paint and a new tail number.  N911MF is often used for emergencies, flying injured or sick missionaries back to a hospital in the US, or flying aircraft parts out to a secluded island to fix one of our DC-3's.  The tail number N911MF seems appropriate, as the aircraft is used to rescue people and broken airplanes for the glory of the Lord.