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The history of DC-3 N28AA / N139PBPage 3previous / next On June 13, 1978 Century Airlines sold N25666 to Provincetown-Boston Airline / Naples Airlines who registered the airplane as N139PB. The PBA / Naples DC-3 operation was seasonal and aircraft flew out of Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the summer shifting to Naples, Florida during the winter. N139PB was an integral part of the airline.  N139PB at its winter base in Naples, Florida in late 1979. In this photo the airplane was still fitted with landing gear doors and the tight cowlings installed by Trans Texas Airlines. As Provincetown-Boston / Naples Airlines expanded beyond its namesake markets, the airline became known simply as PBA in 1980. By 1984 it had become the largest commuter airline in the world and operated a fleet of 12 DC-3s along with Martin 404s, YS-11s, Embraer Bandeirantes, and a huge fleet of Cessna 402s.  N139PB seen on the ramp at Miami during PBA's heydey in the mid 1980s. PBA was bought by Bar Harbor Airlines in February 1987 and began operating as Eastern Express later that year.  N139PB at Miami in early 1988. One of Bar Harbor's priorities was modernizing its fleet and all DC-3s were retired on the evening of September 6, 1988, ending 52 years of continuous DC-3 passenger service in the contiguous United States. PBA's operating certificate was retired the following day. N139PB sat in moth balls at Naples and Tamiami Airport for the next 3 years.  N139PB in sad shape at Naples, Florida in March 1991. Photo by Frank Schaefer. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE Sunshine Skies Historic Commuter Airlines of Florida and Georgia by David P. Henderson Zeus Henderson Zeus Press dc-3 braniff trans texas air new england pba provincetown boston airline naples n28aa alexander aeroplane poly fiber |
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