The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller -driven airliner manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company, which had a lasting effect on the airline industry in the 1930s to 1940s and World War II . It was developed as a larger, improved 14-bed sleeper version of the Douglas DC-2 . The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota ( RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II. During the war the C-47 was used for troop transport, cargo, paratrooper, for towing gliders and military cargo parachute drops.
Classic Dc3 Dakota Free Stock Photo Public Domain Pictures
The DC-3, first flown in 1935, was a low-wing twin-engine monoplane that in various conformations could seat 21 or 28 passengers or carry 6,000 pounds (2,725 kg) of cargo. It was over 64 feet (19.5 metres) long, with a wingspan of 95 feet (29 metres). It was manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc. The Douglas Commercial 3 ( DC-3) was one of history's most mass-produced, well-engineered aircraft. Built to last, to land anywhere, and never to break, Douglas churned out more than 11,000 of the type before and during World War II. But how many of these aircraft are still flying today? The 80-year old aircraft that will never die The DC-3 Dakota Association is one of the oldest and most trusted source for accurate information on the Internet for the DC-3, C-47 Dakota, Super DC-3 , Soviet Li-2 , Japanese L2 D3, and all the variants of the Douglas Aircraft Company . The Douglas C47, known as the Dakota in the Royal Air Force and Commonwealth services, became the world's best known transport aircraft. The type saw widespread use by the Allies during the Second World War and by Air Forces and airlines post-war. The C47 Skytrain and C53 Skytrooper were military versions of the DC3 airliner.
Douglas C47A Dakota 3 (DC3) UK Air Force Aviation Photo
World War Two Aircraft Douglas Dakota IV C-47B The famous Douglas DC-3 was developed from the DC-2 airliner, powered by two Wright Cyclone engines. It first flew on 17 December 1935. With the US Army Air Force and powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines, the aircraft was designated the C-47 Skytrain. The role of the DC-3 Dakota on D-Day 01:49 The role of the DC-3 Dakota on D-Day The 70th anniversary of D-Day - the biggest seaborne invasion the world has ever seen when allied forces. DC-3 Specifications. Max. gross weight: From 25,000lbs (11,340 kg) to 36,800168 (16,692 kg) Max. payload: From 13,135 Ibs (5,958 kg) to 12,900 Ibs (5,851 kg) depending on model. Cargo space: 250 to 293 cu ft (7.08 to 8.29 cu m) passenger or 1,244 cu ft (35.23 cu m) cargo. DC-3C: Post-war designation given to C-47s later converted for civilian. A radiator capable of heating air from 4 degrees F. to 200 degrees F. was installed in every DC-3. The air passed through the radiator at a speed of 3,000 feet a minute and since the radiator was only a foot long it took only 1/50 of a second to heat the air from 4 to 200 degrees. The radiator weighed 36 pounds.
Douglas DC3(C) Dakota Norway Aviation Photo 4466741
Join me in this detailed tour through a Douglas DC3 (DC-3) - the civilian version of the C-47 Dakota / Gooney Bird / Skytrain which flew with the USAF and TA. The DC-3 first flew in 1935, yet still continues flying today. (RAeS/NAL) The secret to the aircraft's durability? "The people at Douglas over-engineered it for safety," said Prophet. A major factor behind that durability is that the aircraft is unpressurised, sparing its fuselage the strain of pressurisation cycles and eventual fatigue.
Designed by Douglas Aircraft Developed from Douglas DC-3 Number built >10,000 Produced 1949-1955 Primary users U.S. Army Air Force, US Air Force, Royal Air Force Douglas DC-3 Dakota Status: Temporarily in storage Airworthiness: Airworthy (flown regularly) Type: Transport Built: 1939 Construction Number: 2141 Civil Registration: C-GDAK Current Markings: RCAF KN456/KN563 Length: 64 ft 5 in Wingspan: 95 ft 6 in Power: 1,200 hp each Engine: 2 x Wright Cyclone R-1820-G202A Maximum Speed: 229 mph
Douglas C47A Dakota 3 (DC3) Untitled Aviation Photo 2631090
General Dwight D. Eisenhower - Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. This powerful book celebrates one of the most important aircraft of all time, the DC-3/C-47 Dakota. In the 1930's it began an era of modern air travel, before forming the backbone of Allied air transport during World War II, and continued to operate in active. Basler feels turboprop power is the most practical way to keep the DC-3 going. He admits it's initially expensive to replace the radial engines but on a comparative basis, (to a Short 360 which costs $4.5 million) it's a good deal. Originally radial engines cost $9,000, but today they run above $35,000.
