High Gallery
 |
U. S.
Military Aircraft
C-47 SKYTRAIN Photo by M. Rostaing |
|
The C-47 was the military development of the epoch marking DC-3 airliner, and appeared after the US forces had gained experience with a number of transport based on the preceding DC-2. By comparison with the airliner, the c-47 was fitted with more powerful engine, structural strengthening around a large cargo door, a sturdier floor, and strengthened landing gear, while the cabin was extensively revised. Vast production was undertaken in the USA, where the 10,000th of 10,349 aircraft was delivered in May 1945, and in addition to pre war production in Japan the type was built under license in the USSR. The C-47 was used in every theater of the Second World War in its basic C-47, naval R4D and British Dakota forms. The type was used, and remained in service, for many years after that time. The type was used for trooping and freighting, and secured immortal fame as the transport and glider tug used by the Allied airborne forces. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Douglas | Length: 64 ft. 5.5 in. |
| First Flight: | Height: 16 ft. 11 in. |
| Model: C-47 | Wing Span: 95 ft. 0 in. |
| Crew: Three | Wing Area: 987.0 sq ft. |
| Nickname: Skytrain | Empty Weight: 16,970 lb. |
| Basic Role: Utility transport. | Max. Weight: 26,000 ft. |
| Other Versions: C-47, R4D-1 and Dakota Mk I initial model. C-47A, R4D-5 and Dakota Mk III revised electrical system. C-47B, R4D-6 and Dakota Mk Iv high altitude blowers. Lisunov Soviet built aircraft and Nakajima / ShowaL2D "Tabby" Japanese aircraft. | Payload: 28 troops, or 18 litters, or 10,000 lb. of freight. |
| Principal User: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, India, Japan, USA, and USSR |
Propulsion |
|
Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 radial piston engine. |
| Range: 1,500 miles. | Horsepower: 1,200-hp. |
| Max. Speed: 229 mph. | No. Of Engines: Two |
| Ceiling: 23,200 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 1,130 ft. per minute. |