The lifespan of Douglas’ last major piston engine-powered transport was cut short by the advent of the jet age.

It was designed as a smaller version of Lockheed's 10-A, sitting just over 36 feet long with a wingspan of 49.5 feet, earning itself the "Electra Junior ... that larger airlines don't travel.

Back in 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami in a Lockheed Electra 10-E plane on a journey that would make Earhart the first woman to fly around the world. But with just 7,000 miles ...