Douglas C-47 Skytrain
(also: C-49, C-53, C-84, R4D)
SYNOPSIS: The C-47 Skytrain was the most commonly used transport in the Allied Air Forces and has operated in every theater of war. A version was even built under license by the Japanese (the Showa L2D), as well as by the Russians (the Lisunov Li-2). It was known under different designations (C-47, C-53, R4D) and different names (Skytrain/Skytrooper/Dakota/"Gooney Bird"), and by the civilian designation DC-3. DC-3B's taken over from airlines were given the military designations C-49 or C-84. A special staff transport model was designated C-117, but only seventeen were built. The C-47 was famous for its dependability, versatility, and ability to carry loads far heavier than the official specs allowed. Famous campaigns involving the C-47 were "flying the Hump" (transport over the Himalyas), dropping paratroops behind enemy lines on D-Day, and the post-war Berlin airlift. The C-47 was so useful that it was used by the U.S. military in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and many are still flying in different countries around the world today.
LONG HISTORY: for a more detailed history of this aircraft, click HERE.
For additional data and history on the R4D, click here
for Jack McKillop's article on Microworks.net
Click here
for the Frans Bonne's informative C-47 page.
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for the C-47 page at warbirdalley.com.
To see books about this aircraft on Amazon.com, click here.
Douglas C-47A Skytrain
Type: Military transport and glider tug Crew: 3, Pilot, co-pilot, radio operator Armament: none Specifications: Length: 64' 2.5" (19.57 m) Height: 16' 11" (5.16 m) Wingspan: 95' 0" (28.96 m) Wing area: 987 sq. ft (91.69 sq. m) Empty Weight: 16970 lbs (7698 kg) Takeoff Weight: 26,000 lbs (11,793 kg) maximum Propulsion: No. of Engines: 2 Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-93 Twin Wasp Horsepower: 1200 hp each Performance: Range: 1500 miles (2414 km) Cruise Speed: 185 mph (298 km/hr) at 10,000 ft. Max Speed: 229 mph (369 km/hr) aat 7,500 ft. Climb: 1130 ft/min (345 m/min) Ceiling: 23,200 ft (7,070 m)
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