Douglas C-47 Skytrain

C-47 Skytrain C-53 Skytrooper Dakota
Role	Military transport aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Douglas Aircraft Company
Designer	Douglas Aircraft
First flight	23 December 1941[1]
Status	In service in Colombia, Greece, El Salvador and South Africa
Primary users	United States Army Air Forces Royal Air Force United States Navy Royal Canadian Air Force See operators
Number built	>10,000
Developed from	Douglas DC-3
Variants	Douglas XCG-17 Douglas AC-47 Spooky

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 and remains in front line service with various military operators to the present day.^[2]

Design and development

The C-47 differed from the civilian DC-3 in numerous modifications, including being fitted with a cargo door and strengthened floor, along with a shortened tail cone for glider-towing shackles, and an astrodome in the cabin roof.^[3][4]

During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo, and wounded. The U.S. Naval designation was R4D. More than 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Between March 1943 and August 1945 the Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s.^[2][5]

Operational history

World War II

U.S. Army Pathfinders and USAAF flight crew prior to D-Day, June 1944, in front of a C-47 Skytrain at RAF North Witham

The C-47 was vital to the success of many Allied campaigns, in particular those at Guadalcanal and in the jungles of New Guinea and Burma, where the C-47 (and its naval version, the R4D) made it possible for Allied troops to counter the mobility of the light-traveling Japanese army. Additionally, C-47s were used to airlift supplies to the embattled American forces during the Battle of Bastogne. Possibly its most influential role in military aviation, however, was flying "The Hump" from India into China. The expertise gained flying "The Hump" was later be used in the Berlin Airlift, in which the C-47 played a major role, until the aircraft were replaced by Douglas C-54 Skymasters.

A C-47 flown by the China National Airways Corporation (CNAC) pilot Moon Chin, who had previously flown "The Hump" in the aircraft, had a role in the Doolittle Raid. Moon Chin was tasked with flying from Chungking to Myitkyina, a military base in Burma. His aircraft was "jumped" by Japanese fighters and, after landing at a small hidden airstrip to wait for his pursuers to give up the game, he planned to resume his flight to Myitkyina. One of his passengers, "an unshaven, balding, bedraggled American" who was dressed in a combination of civilian clothing and an Army uniform, suggested that he fly to a field in India since the American had heard that Myitkyina had fallen to the Japanese. When Chin's DC-3 arrived at Myitkyina, he found that the base had, indeed, been severely bombed by the Japanese and hundreds of people were milling around the airdrome. Eventually, Chin would carry sixty-eight passengers and a crew of four (including eight stowaways in the aft compartment he did not know about) on the final leg to India. After arriving in India, the tattered American approached Captain Chin and thanked him for the ride. "Believe me, Chin," he began, "if I had had any idea that you were going to jam that many people into this old crate I would have gone home the way I came." Chin inquired as to how that might have been and the American replied "I flew in, by way of Tokyo." The short, balding, bedraggled American was none other than Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle returning from the historic raid on Tokyo.^[6]

In Europe, the C-47 and a specialized paratroop variant, the C-53 Skytrooper, were used in vast numbers in the later stages of the war, particularly to tow gliders and drop paratroops. During the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, C-47s dropped 4,381 Allied paratroops. More than 50,000 paratroops were dropped by C-47s during the first few days of the invasion of Normandy, France, in June 1944.^[7] In the Pacific War, with careful use of the island landing strips of the Pacific Ocean, C-47s were even used for ferrying soldiers serving in the Pacific theater back to the United States.

C-47s unloading at Tempelhof Airport during the Berlin Airlift

About 2,000 C-47s (received under lend-lease) in British and Commonwealth service took the name "Dakota", possibly inspired by the acronym "DACoTA" for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft.^[8] The C-47 also earned the informal nickname "gooney bird" in the European theater of operations.^[9]

Other sources^[10] attribute this name to the first aircraft, a USMC R2D—the military version of the DC-2—being the first aircraft to land on Midway Island, previously home to the native long-winged albatross known as the gooney bird, which was native to Midway.

Postwar era

The United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command had Skytrains in service from 1946 through 1967. The US Air Force's 6th Special Operations Squadron was flying the C-47 until 2008.

With all of the aircraft and pilots having been part of the Indian Air Force prior to independence, both the Indian Air Force and Pakistan Air Force used C-47s to transport supplies to their soldiers fighting in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947.

After World War II, thousands of surplus C-47s were converted to civil airline use, some remaining in operation in 2012, as well as being used as private aircraft.

Vietnam War

Several C-47 variations were used in the Vietnam War by the United States Air Force, including three advanced electronic warfare variations, which sometimes were called "electric gooneys" designated EC-47N, EC-47P, or EC-47Q depending on the engine used. Air International, Miami International Airport was a USAF military depot used to convert the commercial DC-3s/C-47s into military use. They came in as commercial aircraft purchased from third world airlines and were completely stripped, rebuilt, and reconditioned. Long range fuel tanks were installed with upgraded avionics and gun mounts. They left as first rate military aircraft headed for combat in Vietnam in a variety of missions. ^{[Note 1]} EC-47s were also operated by the Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian Air Forces.^[12] A gunship variation, using three 7.62 mm miniguns, designated AC-47 "Spooky", often nicknamed "Puff the magic dragon", also was deployed.^[9]

Royal Canadian Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force and later, the Canadian Armed Forces employed the C-47 for transportation, navigation, and radar training, as well as for search and rescue operations from the 1940s to the 1980s.^[13]

Super DC-3 (R4D-8)

U.S. Navy C-117Ds at RAF Mildenhall in 1967

Large numbers of DC-3s and surplus C-47s were in commercial use in the United States in the 1940s. In response to proposed changes to the Civil Air Regulations airworthiness requirements that would limit the continuing use of these aircraft, Douglas offered a late 1940s DC-3 conversion to improve takeoff and single-engined performance. The new model, the DC-3S or "Super DC-3", was 39 in (0.99 m) longer. It allowed 30 passengers to be carried, with increased speed to compete with newer airliners. The rearward shift in the center of gravity led to larger tail surfaces and new outer, swept-back wings. More powerful engines were installed along with shorter, jet ejection-type exhaust stacks. These were either 1,475 hp (1,100 kW) Wright R-1820 Cyclones or 1,450 hp (1,081 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasps in larger engine nacelles. Minor changes included wheel well doors, a partially retractable tailwheel, flush rivets, and low drag antenna. These all contributed to an increased top speed of 250 mph (400 km/h). With greater than 75% of the original DC-3/C-47 configuration changed, the modified design was virtually a new aircraft.^[14] The first DC-3S made its maiden flight on 23 June 1949.^[15]

The changes fully met the new FAR 4B airworthiness requirements, with significantly improved performance. However, little interest was expressed by commercial operators in the DC-3S. It was too expensive for the smaller operators which were its main target: only three were sold to Capital Airlines. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps had 100 of its R4D aircraft modified to Super DC-3 standards as the R4D-8, later redesignated C-117D.^[16]

Variants

Paratroop C-47, 12th Air Force Troop Carrier Wing, invasion of southern France, 15 August 1944

Interior view of Douglas C-47, Hendon Aerodrome, England

Aircraft of the 6th Special Operations Squadron including a C-47T in use by the U.S. Air Force, c. 2005

C-47B Skytrain -serial 43-49942

A former USAAF C-47A Skytrain which flew from a base in Devon, England, during the D-Day Normandy invasion and shows "invasion stripes" on her wings and fuselage.

Douglas C-53 Skytrooper, c/n 4935, operated by a skydiving service at Eloy, Arizona.

C-47

Initial military version of the DC-3 with seats for 27 troops, 965 built including 12 to 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 ^[17][18]

C-47D

C-47B with second speed (high blower) engine supercharger disabled or removed after the war

AC-47D

Gunship 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

XC-53A Skytrooper

One aircraft with full-span slotted flaps and hot-air leading edge deicing

C-53B Skytrooper

Winterised version of C-53 with extra fuel capacity and separate navigator's station, eight built

C-53C Skytrooper

C-53 with larger port-side door, 17 built

C-53D Skytrooper

C-53C with 24V DC electrical system, 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

LC-117D

USN/USMC R4D-8L redesignated

TC-117D

USN/USMC R4D-8T redesignated

VC-117D

USN R4D-8Z redesignated

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

USN R4D-8 from VR-23 Codfish Airline over Mount Fuji, 1952

United States Navy R4D-8

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 designations

A Dakota IV in RAF Transport Command colors, owned by the Classic Air Force, operating out of Coventry Airport

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

After-market conversions

Operators

A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota with open parachute door at Duxford in 2008

Accidents and incidents

Memorial in remembrance of a 1954 C-47 crash, Alaska Veterans Memorial

Specifications (C-47B-DK)

Data from McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920 ^[21]

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

See also

Related development

• Douglas AC-47 Spooky
• Douglas DC-3
• Douglas XCG-17
• Lisunov Li-2
• Showa/Nakajima L2D
• Basler BT-67

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Curtiss C-46 Commando
• Junkers Ju 52/3m

Related lists

• List of aircraft of World War II
• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to C-47 Skytrain.

• Manual: (1943) T.O. No. 01-40NC-1 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions C-47 Airplane
• "How to Fly the C-47" on YouTube
• "Our Tow Ships". National WWII Glider Pilots Association, Inc. 09 July 2014.