Classic Combat Aircraft | home
Douglas C-47 Dakota
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)
|
||