Think I might have just found the problem with our plane..

Bob Reeve, owner of Reeve Aleutian Airways bought his first DC-3 for $20,000 with $3,000 down and the balance payable over 3 years. The cost of conversion to civilian standard was quoted at $50,000 but Reeve did the work himself at a cost of $5,000.

If we'd only had the internet in those days.........