Douglas C-47 Skytrain

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" (transporting cargo over the Himalayas), dropping paratroops behind enemy lines on D-day, and the postwar Berlin airlift. The C-47 was so useful that it was used by the US military in W.W.II, Korea, and Vietnam, and many are still flying in different countries around the world today.


	Classic Combat Aircraft \| home Douglas C-47 Skytrain 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" (transporting cargo over the Himalayas), dropping paratroops behind enemy lines on D-day, and the postwar Berlin airlift. The C-47 was so useful that it was used by the US military in W.W.II, Korea, and Vietnam, and many are still flying in different countries around the world today. Type: Military transport and glider tug Crew: 3, Pilot, copilot, radio operator Armament: None Specifications: Length: 64' 2.5" (19.57 m) Height: 16' 11" (5.16 m) Wingspan: 95' 0" (28.96 m) Weight: 26,000 lb. (11,793 kg) Propulsion: Engines: 2 Power plant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-93 Twin Wasp 1200 hp each Performance: Range: 1500 miles (2414 km) Speed: 229 mph (369 km/hr) at 7,500 ft. Ceiling: 23,200 ft (7,070 m) Click here for more C-47 pictures.