Douglas DC-1/2/3 and C-47 PDF eBook + Flight Manuals

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June 1973

  • Emsco, Aviation Pioneer lost in the pages of time
  • Douglas DC, beginning of the Gooney Bird legend
  • Whispering Death, the Bristol Beaufighter
  • Dr. Dornier’s Flying Whales

July 1973

  • Douglas DC, Part II – The Gooney Goes To War
  • “Go In and Get A Hit!” – Flying the TBD Devastator & TBF Avenger
  • Night Creature, flying WWII’s most fearsome night fighter, the P-61 Black Widow
  • Flying Machines The Fates Forgot, concluding the Emsco story

January 1981

  • DC-3 Goes To War
  • Wild Weasel Thuds in Vietnam
  • Vigilante, The Navy’s Last Heavyweight

February 1981

  • Douglas C-47 Gooney Bird Markings
  • Israel’s 1948 Three Bomber Air Force
  • Northrop’s Forgotten Floatplane, the N-3PB

June 1981

  • Japan’s DC-4 Bomber
  • Convair F-105 Delta Dart

June 1984

  • The DC-3/C-47 in Foreign Service
  • The F-106 Bows Out
  • Grumman’s F-11F – The Reluctant Tiger

March 1993

  • Flying Forever, the Turbo version of the Douglas DC-3
  • Storm Bird, The Me-262 Jet Fighter

March 1994

  • Flying the Berlin Airlift
  • Ultimate P-6E Hawk
  • Dornier Bombers of the Luftwaffe
  • What Happened to the V-22 Osprey?

December 1998

  • History of US Military Aircraft… C-47, C-54, C-82, C-119, C-123, XC-99, C-124, C-130, C-133, C-141, C-5A, C-17
  • Graphic gallery of Air Transport
  • Allied airpower’s D-Day invasion failures, great interdiction

April 2002

  • The Building of Republic’s F-105
  • Regulus: Riding Herd On The Fleet’s First Guided Missile
  • Why The DC-1 Was Air Travel’s Most Significant Airliner Prototype

March 2006

  • Douglas DC-3
  • J-35 Draken! – 50 years of Sweden’s Mach 2 delta
  • The airplanes that wouldn’t die – First in a series
  • Aircraft designations – Mysteries revealed!

April 2006

  • Mr. Naval Aviation – The R.G. Smith Story
  • Cockpits – It’s what’s up front that counts!
  • Bell 47 – The whirlybird

Manuals & Photos

  • DC-3 Operation Manual
  • C-47 Flight Handbook
  • C-47 Flight Manual
  • C-47 Operating Instructions
  • C-47 Pilot Training Manual
  • C-47 Skytrain Manual
  • C-117D Flight Manual

Douglas DC-1/2/3 & C-47

  • DC-1 Specs
  • DC-2 Specs
  • DC-3 Specs
  • C-47 Specs
  • C-47 Cutaway

General Characteristics

  • Crew: two-three
  • Capacity: 14 passengers
  • Length: 62 ft 6 in (19.1 m)
  • Wingspan: 85 ft 0 in (25.9 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 10 in (4.8 m)
  • Wing area: 940 ft² (87.3 m²)
  • Empty weight: 12,455 lb (5,650 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 18,560 lb (8,420 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright GR-1820-F53 Cyclone 9-cylinder radial engines, 730 hp (540 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 210 mph at 6,800ft (338 km/h / 182 kts)
  • Range: 1,085 mi (1,750 km)
  • Service ceiling: 22,750 ft (6,930 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,030 ft/min (310 m/min)

General Characteristics

  • Crew: two-three
  • Capacity: 14 passengers
  • Length: 62 ft 6 in (19.1 m)
  • Wingspan: 85 ft 0 in (25.9 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 10 in (4.8 m)
  • Wing area: 940 ft² (87.3 m²)
  • Empty weight: 12,455 lb (5,650 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 18,560 lb (8,420 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright GR-1820-F53 Cyclone 9-cylinder radial engines, 730 hp (540 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 210 mph at 6,800ft (338 km/h / 182 kts)
  • Cruise speed: 174 mph (151 kn, 278 km/h)
  • Range: 1,085 mi (1,750 km)
  • Service ceiling: 22,750 ft (6,930 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,030 ft/min (310 m/min)

Civilian Variants

  • DC-2 – 156 civil DC-2s, variously powered by two Wright R-1820-F2 -F2A -F3 -F3A -F3B -F52 -F53 Cyclone radial piston engines varying in power from 710 to 875 hp (529 to 652 kW).
  • DC-2A – Two civil DC-2s, powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet SD-G, S1E-G or S2E-G radial piston engines.
  • DC-2B – Two DC-2s sold to LOT Polish Airlines, fitted with two 750 hp (560 kW) Bristol Pegasus VI radial piston engines.
  • Nakajima-Douglas DC-2 Transport – DC-2 transports license built in Japan by Nakajima.
  • Airspeed AS.23 – The designation reserved for proposed license-built production by Airspeed Ltd. in Great Britain.

Military Variants

  • XC-32 – (DC-2-153) One aircraft, powered by 2x 750 hp (560 kW) Wright R-1820-25 radial piston engines, for evaluation as a 14-seat VIP transport aircraft, one built, later used by General Andrews as a flying command post.
  • C-32A – Designation for 24 commercial DC-2s impressed at the start of World War II.
  • C-33 – (DC-2-145) Cargo transport variant of the C-32 powered by 2x 750 hp (560 kW) Wright R-1820-25 engines, with larger vertical tail surfaces, a reinforced cabin floor and a large cargo door in the aft fuselage, 18 built.
  • YC-34 – (1x DC-2-173 & 1x DC-2-346) VIP transport for the Secretary of War, basically similar to XC-32, later designated C-34, two built.C-38 – The first C-33 was modified with a DC-3 style tail section and two Wright R-1820-45 radial piston engines of 975 hp (727 kW) each. Originally designated C-33A but redesignated as prototype for C-39 variant, one built.
  • C-39 – (DC-2-243) 16-seat passenger variant, a composite of DC-2 & DC-3 components, with C-33 fuselage and wings and DC-3 type tail, center-section and landing gear. Powered by two 975 hp (727 kW) Wright R-1820-45 radial piston engines; 35 built.
  • C-41 – The sole C-41 was a VIP aircraft for Air Corps Chief Oscar Westover(and his successor Hap Arnold ).Although supplied against a C-39 order it was not a DC-2 derivative but in fact a DC-3-253 fitted with two 1,200 hp (890 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-21 engines. (The sole Douglas C-41A was also a VIP version of the DC-3A)
  • C-42 – (DC-2-267) VIP transport variant of the C-39, powered by two 1,000 hp (750 kW) Wright R-1820-53 radial piston engines, of 1,000 hp (746 kW) each, one built in 1939 for the commanding general, GHQ Air Force, plus two similarly-converted C-39s with their cargo doors bolted shut were converted in 1943.
  • R2D-1 – (3x DC-2-125 & 2x DC-2-142) 710 hp (530 kW) Wright R-1820-12 powered transport similar to the XC-32, three built for the United States Navy and two for the United States Marine Corps.

On Display

There are no longer DC-2s in commercial service; however, several aircraft have survived into the 21st century:

  • c/n 1286 – Ex-Eastern Airlines and RAAF, preserved (dressed as the historic “Uiver”, PH-AJU) at Albury, New South Wales as centerpiece of Uiver Memorial at Albury Airport. This is the oldest DC-2 left in the world. It was removed from its prominent position on poles in front of the Albury Airport terminal building in late 2002, but unfortunately kept out in the open air without preservation. In 2014 after much debate and delays, Albury City Council transferred ownership of the plane to the Uiver Memorial Community Trust (UMCT). In January 2016 UMCT began work on removing the major assemblies of the aircraft, and on 12 May 2016 the airframe was transferred to a restoration hangar. Restoration of this aircraft to static display standard is now under way.
  • c/n 1288 – Also located at the Aviodrome in the Netherlands though owned by the Dutch Dakota Association. It is far from airworthy and will not be restored to such a condition. Its first operator was Eastern Air Lines.
  • c/n 1292 – There are three DC-2s surviving in Australia as of 2006; this aircraft, c/n 1292, is one of ten ex-Eastern Airlines DC-2s purchased and operated by the RAAF during World War II as A30-9. It is under restoration by the Australian National Aviation Museum. at Moorabbin Airport in Victoria, Australia
  • c/n 1354 – One DC-2-115E (reg. DO-1 (Hanssin-Jukka), ex. PH-AKH (KLM Haan), SE-AKE) is preserved by the Aviation Museum of Central Finland (Finnish Air Force Museum) and is on display in a hangar in Tuulos, Finland. The plane was restored to display condition in 2011, in war-time colors. It performed one bombing raid in February 1940. Another wingless fuselage (c/n 1562, reg. DO-3, ex. OH-LDB “Sisu”) was on display at the Finnish Aviation Museum in Vantaa. The fuselage was transported to the Aviation Museum of Central Finland in 2011, where it was used in the DO-1 restoration project.
  • c/n 1368 – A former Pan Am aircraft that was used by the Douglas historical foundation until the merger with Boeing in 1997. It is now housed at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. This aircraft (N1934D) was restored to flying condition in 2007 and flown to Santa Maria, California for a new paint job. It received a TWA “The Lindbergh Line” livery and interior trim.
  • c/n 1376 – Owned by Steve Ferris in Sydney, Australia, and has been under restoration to flying status for many years. It was originally delivered to KNILM in 1935. At the outbreak of World War II it was flown to Australia and was conscripted into use with the Allied Directorate of Air Transport. In 1944 it joined Australian National Airways and finished its flying career in the 1950s with Marshall Airways. It is registered as VH-CDZ. It is the most complete of all the Australian DC-2s as of 2008.
  • c/n 1404 – The Aviodrome in Lelystad, the Netherlands, owns and operates one of the last flying DC-2s. This former United States Navy aircraft is painted in the Uiver’s KLM color scheme and is sometimes seen in European airshows. It is registered as NC39165 since 1945, though it now also wears PH-AJU as a fictional registration to match that of the historic Uiver aircraft The aircraft was operated by Mercer Airlines of Burbank, California, and sold in the late 1960s to Colgate Darden, who restored it in General Air Lines colors and moved it to his private airport in South Carolina.
  • c/n 2702 – C-39A (Serial Number 38-515) is at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. The aircraft is currently in storage at the museum.

General Characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Capacity: 21–32 passengers
  • Length: 64 ft 8 in (19.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 95 ft 2 in (29.0 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 11 in (5.16 m)
  • Wing area: 987 sq ft (91.7 m2)
  • Empty weight: 16,865 lb (7,650 kg)
  • Gross weight: 25,199 lb (11,430 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 822 gal. (3736 l)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,100 hp (820 kW) each
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3G Twin Wasp 14-cyl. air-cooled two row radial piston engine, 1,200 hp (890 kW) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard 23E50 series, 11.5 ft (3.5 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 kn; 370 km/h (230 mph) at 8,500 ft (2,590 m)
  • Cruise speed: 180 kn; 333 km/h (207 mph)
  • Stall speed: 58.2 kn (67 mph; 108 km/h)
  • Service ceiling: 23,200 ft (7,100 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,130 ft/min (5.7 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 25.5 lb/sq ft (125 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.0952 hp/lb (156.5 W/kg)

Civilian Variants

  • DST – Douglas Sleeper Transport; the initial variant with two Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines and standard sleeper accommodation for up to 16 with small upper windows, convertible to carry up to 24 day passengers.
  • DST-A – DST with Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines
  • DC-3 – Initial non-sleeper variant; with 21 day-passenger seats, 1,100-horsepower (820 kW) Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines, no upper windows.
  • DC-3A – DC-3 with 1,200-horsepower (895 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-21 engines.
  • DC-3B – Version of DC-3 for TWA; with two Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines and smaller convertible sleeper cabin forward with fewer upper windows than DST.
  • DC-3C – Designation for ex-military C-47, C-53 and R4D aircraft rebuilt by Douglas Aircraft in 1946, given new manufacturer numbers and sold on the civil market; Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines.
  • DC-3D – Designation for 28 new aircraft completed by Douglas in 1946 with unused components from the cancelled USAAF C-117 production line; Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines.
  • DC-3S – Also known as Super DC-3, substantially redesigned DC-3 with fuselage lengthened by 39 inches (1.0 m); outer wings of a different shape with squared-off wingtips and shorter span; distinctive taller rectangular tail; and fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2000 or 1,475-horsepower (1,100 kW) Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines. Five completed by Douglas for civil use using existing surplus secondhand airframes. Three Super DC-3s were operated by Capital Airlines 1950–1952. Designation also used for examples of the 100 R4Ds that had been converted by Douglas to this standard for the U.S. Navy as R4D-8s (later designated C-117Ds), all fitted with more powerful Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines, some of which entered civil use after retirement from the military.

Military Variants

  • C-41, C-41A – The C-41 was the first DC-3 to be ordered by the USAAC and was powered by two 1,200 hp (895 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-21 engines. It was delivered in October 1938 for use by United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) chief General Henry H. Arnold with the USAAC serial 38-502 and the passenger cabin fitted out in a 14-seat VIP configuration. The C-41A was a single VIP DC-3A (serial 40-070) supplied to the USAAC in September 1939, also powered by R-1830-21 engines; and used by the Secretary of War. The forward cabin converted to sleeper configuration with upper windows similar to the DC-3B.
  • C-48 – The C-48 was a single former United Air Lines DC-3A impressed into the USAAC. The C-48As were three impressed DC-3As with 18-seat interiors. C-48B was the designation given to sixteen impressed former United Air Lines DST-As used as air ambulances with 16-berth interiors. The C-48Cs were sixteen impressed DC-3As with 21-seat interiors.
  • C-49 – Various DC-3 and DST models; 138 impressed into service as C-49, C-49A, C-49B, C-49C, C-49D, C-49E, C-49F, C-49G, C-49H, C-49J and C-49K.
  • C-50 – Various DC-3 models, fourteen impressed as C-50, C-50A, C-50B, C-50C and C-50D.
  • C-51 – One impressed aircraft originally ordered by Canadian Colonial Airlines, had starboard-side door.
  • C-52 – DC-3A aircraft with R-1830 engines, five impressed as C-52, C-52A, C-52B, C-52C and C-52D.
  • C-68 – Two DC-3As impressed with 21-seat interiors.
  • C-84 – One impressed DC-3B aircraft.
  • Dakota II – British Royal Air Force designation for impressed DC-3s.
  • LXD1 – A single DC-3 supplied for evaluation by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS).
  • R4D-2 – Two Eastern Air Lines DC-3s impressed into United States Navy (USN) service as VIP transports, later designated R4D-2F and later R4D-2Z.
  • R4D-4 – Ten DC-3s impressed for use by the USN.
  • R4D-4R – Seven DC-3s impressed as staff transports for the USN.
  • R4D-4Q – Radar countermeasures version of R4D-4 for the USN.

Conversion Variants

  • Dart-Dakota – for BEA test services, powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines.
  • Mamba-Dakota – A single conversion for the Ministry of Supply, powered by two Armstrong-Siddeley Mamba turboprop engines.
  • Airtech DC-3/2000 – DC-3/C-47 engine conversion by Airtech Canada, first offered in 1987. Powered by two PZL ASz-62IT radial engines.
  • Basler BT-67 – DC-3/C-47 conversion with a stretched fuselage, strengthened structure, modern avionics, and powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-67R turboprop engines.
  • BSAS C-47TP Turbo Dakota – A South African C-47 conversion for the South African Air Force by Braddick Specialised Air Services, with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65R turboprop engines, revised systems, stretched fuselage and modern avionics.
  • Conroy Turbo Three – One DC-3/C-47 converted by Conroy Aircraft with two Rolls-Royce Dart Mk. 510 turboprop engines.
  • Conroy Super-Turbo-Three – Same as the Turbo Three but converted from a Super DC-3. One converted.
  • Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three – Conroy Turbo Three further modified by the removal of the two Rolls-Royce Dart engines and their replacement by three Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6s (one mounted on each wing and one in the nose).
  • Greenwich Aircraft Corp Turbo Dakota DC-3 – DC-3/C-47 conversion with a stretched fuselage, strengthened wing center section and updated systems; and powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65AR turboprop engines.
  • Ts-62 – Douglas-built airframe fitted with Russian Shvetsov ASh-62 radial engines after World War II due to shortage of American engines in the Soviet Union.
  • Ts-82 – Similar to Ts-62, but with Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engines of 1,650 hp.
  • USAC DC-3 Turbo Express – A turboprop conversion by the United States Aircraft Corporation, fitting Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45R turboprop engines with an extended forward fuselage to maintain center of gravity. First flight of the prototype conversion, (N300TX), was on July 29, 1982.
  • Douglas C-47 Skytrain and C-53 Skytrooper – Production military DC-3A variants.
  • Showa and Nakajima L2D – Derivatives manufactured under license in Japan by the Nakajima Aircraft Company and Sh?wa Aircraft for the IJNAS; 487 built.
  • Lisunov Li-2 and PS-84 – Derivatives manufactured under license in the USSR; 4,937 built.

General Characteristics

  • Crew: four (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator)
  • Capacity: 28 troops
  • Payload: 6,000 lb (2,700 kg)
  • Length: 63 ft 9 in (19.43 m)
  • Wingspan: 95 ft 6 in (29.41 m)
  • Height: 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
  • Wing area: 987 ft² (91.70 m²)
  • Airfoil: NACA2215 / NACA2206
  • Empty weight: 18,135 lb (8,226 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 26,000 lb (11,793 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 31,000 lb (14,061 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines, 1,200 hp (895 kW) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 224 mph (195 kn, 360 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
  • Cruise speed: 160 mph (139 kn, 257 km/h)
  • Range: 1,600 mi (1,391 nmi, 2,575 km)
  • Ferry range: 3,600 mi (3,130 nmi, 5,795 km)
  • Service ceiling: 26,400 ft (8,045 m)
  • Climb to 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 9.5 min

Variants

  • C-47 – Initial military version of the DC-3 with four crew (Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator, and Radio Operator) and seats for 27 troops alongside the fuselage interior. “Aerial Ambulances” fitted for casualty evacuation could carry 18 stretcher cases and a medical crew of three. 965 built (including 12 for the United States Navy as R4D-1).
  • C-47A – C-47 with a 24-volt electrical system, 5,254 built including USN aircraft designated R4D-5
  • RC-47A – C-47A equipped for photographic reconnaissance and ELINT missions
  • SC-47A – C-47A equipped for Search Air Rescue; redesignated HC-47A in 1962
  • VC-47A – C-47A equipped for VIP transport role
  • C-47B – Powered by R-1830-90 engines with two-speed superchargers (better altitude performance) to cover the China-Burma-India routes, 3,364 built
  • VC-47B – C-47B equipped for VIP transport role
  • XC-47C – C-47 tested with Edo Model 78 floats for possible use as a seaplane
  • C-47D – C-47B with second speed (high blower) engine supercharger disabled or removed after the war
  • AC-47D SpookyGunship aircraft with three side-firing .30 in (7.62 mm) Minigun machine guns
  • EC-47D – C-47D with equipment for the Electronics Calibration, of which 26 were so converted by Hayes in 1953; prior to 1962 was designated AC-47D
  • NC-47D – C-47D modified for test roles
  • RC-47D – C-47D equipped for photographic reconnaissance and ELINT missions
  • SC-47D – C-47D equipped for Search Air Rescue; redesignated HC-47D in 1962
  • VC-47D – C-47D equipped for VIP transport role
  • C-47E – Modified cargo variant with space for 27–28 passengers or 18–24 litters
  • C-47F – YC-129 redesignated, Super DC-3 prototype for evaluation by USAF later passed to USN as XR4D-8
  • C-47L/M – C-47H/Js equipped for the support of American Legation United States Naval Attache (ALUSNA) and Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) missions
  • EC-47N/P/Q – C-47A and D aircraft modified for ELINT/ARDF mission, N and P differ in radio bands covered, while Q replaces analog equipment found on the N and P with a digital suite, redesigned antenna equipment and uprated engines
  • C-47R – One C-47M modified for high altitude work, specifically for missions in Ecuador
  • C-53 Skytrooper – Troop transport version of the C-47 that lacked the reinforced cargo floor, large cargo door, and hoist attachment of the C-47 Skytrain. It was dedicated for the troop transport role and could carry 28 passengers in fixed metal seats arranged in rows in the former cargo space; 221 built.
  • XC-53A Skytrooper – One testbed aircraft modified in March 1942 with full-span slotted flaps and hot-air leading edge de-icing. Converted to C-53 standard in 1949 and sold as surplus.
  • C-53B Skytrooper – Winterised and long-range Arctic version of the C-53 with extra fuel tanks in the fuselage and separate navigator’s astrodome station for celestial navigation; eight built.
  • C-53C Skytrooper – C-53 with larger port-side access door; 17 built.
  • C-53D Skytrooper – C-53C with 24V DC electrical system and its 28 seats attached to the sides of the fuselage; 159 built.
  • C-117A Skytrooper – C-47B with 24-seat airline-type interior for staff transport use, 16 built.
  • VC-117A – Three redesignated C-117s used in the VIP role
  • SC-117A – One C-117C converted for air-sea rescue
  • C-117B/VC-117B – High-altitude superchargers removed, one built and conversions from C-117As all later VC-117B
  • C-117D – USN/USMC R4D-8 redesignated C-117D in 1962.
  • LC-117D – USN/USMC R4D-8L redesignated LC-117D in 1962.
  • TC-117D – USN/USMC R4D-8T redesignated TC-117D in 1962.
  • VC-117D – USN R4D-8Z redesignated VC-117D in 1962.
  • YC-129 – Super DC-3 prototype for evaluation by USAF redesignated C-47F and later passed to USN as XR4D-8. Wright R-1820 engines uprated to 1425 hp.
  • CC-129 – Canadian Forces designation for the C-47 (post-1970)
  • XCG-17 – One C-47 tested as a 40-seat troop glider with engines removed and faired over
  • R4D-1 Skytrain – USN/USMC version of the C-47
  • R4D-3 – Twenty C-53Cs transferred to USN
  • R4D-5 – C-47A variant 24-volt electrical system replacing the 12-volt of the C-47; redesignated C-47H in 1962, 238 transferred from USAF
  • R4D-5L – R4D-5 for use in Antarctica. Redesignated LC-47H in 1962. Photos of this type show the removal of underslung engine oil coolers typical of the R-1830 engine installation; apparently not needed in the cold polar regions.
  • R4D-5Q – R4D-5 for use as special ECM trainer. Redesignated EC-47H in 1962
  • R4D-5R – R4D-5 for use as a personnel transport for 21 passengers and as a trainer aircraft; redesignated TC-47H in 1962
  • R4D-5S – R4D-5 for use as a special ASW trainer; redesignated SC-47H in 1962
  • R4D-5Z – R4D-5 for use as a VIP transport; redesignated VC-47H in 1962
  • R4D-6 – 157 C-47Bs transferred to USN; redesignated C-47J in 1962
  • R4D-6L, Q, R, S, and Z – Variants as the R4D-5 series; redesignated LC-47J, EC-47J, TC-47J, SC-47J, and VC-47J respectively in 1962
  • R4D-7 – 44 TC-47Bs transferred from USAF for use as a navigational trainer; redesignated TC-47K in 1962
  • R4D-8 – R4D-5 and R4D-6 remanufactured aircraft with stretched fuselage, Wright R-1820 engines, fitted with modified wings and redesigned tail surfaces; redesignated C-117D in 1962
  • R4D-8L – R4D-8 converted for Antarctic use, redesignated LC-117D in 1962
  • R4D-8T – R4D-8 converted as crew trainers, redesignated TC-117D in 1962
  • R4D-8Z – R4D-8 converted as a staff transport, redesignated VC-117D in 1962

RAF Variants

  • Dakota I – RAF designation for the C-47 and R4D-1.
  • Dakota II – RAF designation for nine C-53 Skytroopers received under the lend lease scheme. Unlike the majority of RAF Dakotas, these aircraft were therefore dedicated troop transports, lacking the wide cargo doors and reinforced floor of the C-47.
  • Dakota III – RAF designation for the C-47A.
  • Dakota IV – RAF designation for the C-47B.
  • Airspeed AS.61 – Conversion of Dakota I aircraft
  • Airspeed AS.62 – Conversion of Dakota II aircraft
  • Airspeed AS.63 – Conversion of Dakota III aircraft
  • BEA Pionair/Dart-Dakota – Conversion of Dakota to Rolls-Royce Dart power and used by BEA to prove turboprop engines prior to entry into service of Vickers Viscount.

On Display

Argentina

Airworthy
  • LV-BEH, C-47B-15-DK c/n 15349/26794 – ex-Argentine Air Force TC-35, ex-United States Army Air Force 43-49533.
On display
  • TA-05, ex-Argentine Air Force, at Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina, Morón, Buenos Aires. Used in flights to Antarctica.

Australia

  • ex-Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) P2-003 – C-47B on outdoor display at a pub in the town of Moree, New South Wales
  • ex-Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A65-64 – C-47B on display mounted on poles outside the RSL Club premises at Mulwala in New South Wales
  • ex-RAAF A65-71 – C-47B in storage at the Treloar Technology Centre of the Australian War Memorial in Mitchell, Australian Capital Territory.
  • ex-RAAF A65-78 – C-47B in storage at the RAAF Museum, located at RAAF Williams in Point Cook, Victoria
  • ex-RAAF A65-94, civil registration VH-EAF – C-47B airworthy in the collection of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at the Illawarra Regional Airport in New South Wales; in colours it wore while in service with the Aircraft Research and Development Unit RAAF.
  • ex-RAAF A65-95, civil registration VH-EAE – C-47B airworthy in the collection of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at the Illawarra Regional Airport in New South Wales; in colours it wore while in service with the RAAF during World War II.
  • ex-RAAF A65-114 – C-47B on static display at the South Australian Aviation Museum in Port Adelaide, South Australia.
  • ex-RAAF A65-124 – C-47B on static display at the Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek, Western Australia.
  • ex-Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fleet Air Arm N2-43 – C-47A modified with extended nose to house a radar system from a de Havilland Sea Venom; on static display in the Fleet Air Arm Museum at naval air station HMAS Albatross near Nowra, New South Wales.

Canada

  • 42-92419/TBD – C-47A/TBD on static display at the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Astra, Ontario
  • 42-92489/FZ692 – C-47A/Dakota III under restoration to airworthy at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.
  • 42-108960 – C-47A on static display at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta.

France

  • 42-100825 – C-47A on static display at the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Manche. It is painted as 43-15159 The Argonia.
  • 43-15073 – C-47A on static display at the Merville Gun Battery in Merville-Franceville-Plage, Normandy. Saved from scrappers in Bosnia, she is now completely restored in her 1944 configuration.

Germany

  • 43-49728/14+01 – C-47B/Dakota IV on static display at the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim in Oberschleißheim, Bavaria.
  • ex-Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A65-69 – C-47B on static display at the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow (Bundeswehr Museum of Military History – Berlin-Gatow Airfield) at the former RAF Gatow air base in Berlin; presented by the Australian government in 1980 to commemorate RAAF aircrews’ role in the Berlin Airlift.

Greece

  • unknown – C-47B on static display at the Hellenic Air Force Museum located at Dekelia Air Base in Acharnes.

India

  • VP 905 – DC-3 part of Indian Air Force’s vintage squadron.

Italy

  • 43-48983 – C-47B on static display at Volandia in Somma Lombardo, Varese.

Malta

  • 43-15762 – C-47A in storage at the Malta Aviation Museum in Ta’ Qali, Attard.
  • 44-76603 – C-47B under restoration at the Malta Aviation Museum in Ta’ Qali, Attard.

Netherlands

  • 43-15652 / T-443 – C-47B on display at the Nationaal Militair Museum, Soesterberg.

New Zealand

  • ex-US Navy BuNo 17221 – LC-47H on static display in the collection of the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society at the Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch
  • NZ3551 – C-47B on static display at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch, Canterbury.

South Africa

  • 35 Squadron SAAF continues to operate a number of C-47TP variants in Maritime roles

United Kingdom

  • 44-76384/KN353 – C-47B/Dakota IV on display at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington, York
  • 44-77003/KN645 – C-47B/Dakota IV on static display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in Cosford, Shropshire.
  • unknown – on display as a gate guardian at RAF Brize Norton; painted as FZ262, a participant in Operation Market Garden in World War II.
  • ZA947 – C47A/Dakota 3 During the Second World War this aircraft served entirely in Canada. It is airworthy and forms part of the BBMF. It was originally given the serial number KG661 and served with the Royal Aircraft Establishment, but in the late 1970s it was realized that the serial number KG661 had, in fact, previously been allocated to another Dakota which had been destroyed in an accident. The error was reported and in July 1979 the Dakota was allocated the ‘modern’ serial ZA947, which explains why this serial does not match the age or era of the aircraft

United States

Airworthy
C-47
  • 42-32832 Sky King – Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas
C-47A/Dakota III
  • 42-23518 Old Number 30 – Airbase Arizona of the Commemorative Air Force in Mesa, Arizona.
  • 42-23668 – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.
  • 42-92277/FL633 – WWII Airborne Demonstration Team in Frederick, Oklahoma.
  • 42-92847 That’s All—Brother – restored to airworthy status at Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; for the Commemorative Air Force. This airframe was the lead aircraft for the D-Day invasion and took its first flight in many years on 31 January 2018.
  • 42-100591 Tico Belle – Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Florida.
  • 42-100931 Flagship Orange County – Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, California. This airframe is painted in a civilian scheme.
  • 43-15211 – Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.
  • 43-15679 – War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. This airframe is painted in a civilian scheme.
  • 43-30652 Whiskey 7 – National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York. This aircraft was a lead plane in Mission Boston during the airborne invasion of Normandy during D-Day.
  • 43-48080 – Avionics Engineering Center of Ohio University in Albany, Ohio. It is painted in a civilian scheme.
C-47B/R4D-6
  • 43-48608 Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber – Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles, California
  • 50783 Ready 4 Duty – Dallas/Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Lancaster, Texas.
  • 50819 – Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania.
  • 44-76423 What’s Up Doc? – Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California.
  • 44-76717 Second Chance – American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York
  • 44-76791 Willa Dean – Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, California
TC-47D
  • 44-76716 – Yankee Air Museum in Belleville, Michigan.
TC-47K
  • 99854 Black Sparrow – Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Formerly operated by the Headquarters Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force.
C-53D
  • 42-68830 D-Day Doll – Inland Empire Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Riverside, California.
On display (complete airframes)
C-47
  • 41-7723 – Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
  • 41-18482 – Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry in Wasilla, Alaska
C-47A/R4D-5
  • 42-92841 Turf and Sport Special – Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Delaware.
  • 42-92990 Okie Dokie – Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center in Fairfield, California.
  • 42-93096 – National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • 42-100486 Cheeky Charlie – Pacific Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • 42-100828 – Fort Campbell near Clarksville, Tennessee. This airframe was previously operated by the Air Acres Museum in Woodstock, Georgia.
  • 42-108798/17096 Brass Hat – Don F. Pratt Museum at Fort Campbell near Clarksville, Tennessee.
  • 42-108808/17106 – Dyess Linear Air Park at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas.
  • 43-15510 – Air Commando Park at Hurlburt Field in Mary Esther, Florida. This airframe is painted as an AC-47D.
  • 43-15635 Old 635 – Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood, Missouri
  • 43-15977 Seventh Heaven – Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California.
  • 43-16130 Hi Honey! – Barksdale Global Power Museum in Bossier City, Louisiana.
  • 43-48098 – Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska
  • Bureau Number 12418 R4D-5L Que Sera Sera – National Naval Aviation Museum, located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
VC-47A
  • 42-93800 – Eagles Air Museum in West Fargo, North Dakota.
C-47B
  • 43-48362 – Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.
  • 43-48415 – Kelly Field Annex in San Antonio, Texas.
  • 43-48459 – Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio.
  • 43-49206 – Altus Air Force Base near Altus, Oklahoma.
  • 43-49270 – Grissom Air Museum in Peru, Indiana.
  • 43-49355 – Charleston Air Force Base Air Park in North Charleston, South Carolina
  • 43-49442 – Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia.[129]
  • 43-49526 – Fairchild Air Force Base near Airway Heights, Washington.
  • 45-0928 – MAPS Air Museum in North Canton, Ohio.
R4D-6
  • 150190 – Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station near Niagara Falls, New York. This airframe was previously on display at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia.
  • 50761 – Charles B. Hall Airpark at Tinker Air Force Base near Midwest City, Oklahoma.
  • 50779 – Gunter Annex in Montgomery, Alabama.
  • 50793 – Minnesota Air National Guard Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.
VC-47D
  • 43-49281 – Hill Aerospace Museum in Roy, Utah.
  • 44-76326 – Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama
  • 44-76582 Kilroy is Here – Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas
C-47D
  • 43-49507 – National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. It is painted as C-47A, 43-15174; an airframe that crashed in Germany on 24 April 1945.
TC-47D
  • 44-76502 – McChord Air Museum in Lakewood, Washington
C-47H
  • 42-93127 – South Dakota Air and Space Museum in Box Elder, South Dakota
C-47K
  • 44-76486 – Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, Florida. This airframe is painted as an AC-47.
C-53D
  • 42-68835 – Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, California.
C-117C
  • 42-108866 – Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. This airframe was previously on display at the Pate Museum of Transportation in Cresson, Texas.
C-117D
  • 50826 – Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
C-47
  • Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock, Texas.
On display (partial airframes)
C-47A
  • 43-15912 (Cockpit Only) – San Diego Air & Space Museum in San Diego, California.
Under restoration or in storage (complete airframes)
C-47A/Dakota III
  • KG587 – under restoration to airworthy at Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon.
C-47B
  • 43-16141 – in storage at Burlington Air National Guard Base in South Burlington, Vermont
  • 44-76457 – under restoration at Floyd Bennett Field in New York, New York.
C-53D
  • 41-20095 Beach City Baby – under restoration to airworthy with Vintage Wings, Inc. in Beach City, Ohio. This airframe was previously used by the state of Ohio as the governor’s aircraft before being put on display at the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.