Warplanes of the USA: Douglas C-47 Dakota and Skytrain

Douglas C-47 Dakota and Skytrain

(USAAF Photo)

Two USAAF C-47A Skytrains (based on the Douglas DC-3) from the 81st Troop Carrier Squadron, loaded with paratroopers on their way for the invasion of southern France (Operation Dragoon). The aircraft in the back is a Douglas C-47A-65-DL (Serial No. 42-100550), the other is a C-47A-90-DL (Serial No. 43-15661).

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota (RAFdesignation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilianDouglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World WarII. During the war the C-47 was used for troop transport, cargo, paratrooper,for towing gliders and military cargo parachute drops. The C-47 remained infront-line service with various military operators for many years.[2] It wasproduced in approximately triple the numbers as the larger, much heavierpayload Curtiss C-46 Commando, which filled a similar role for the U.S.military.

Approximately 100 countries' armed forces have operated the C-47 with over 60variants of the aircraft produced. As with the civilian DC-3, the C-47 remainsin service in the present day, over 80 years after the type's introduction.

The C-47 differed from the civilian DC-3 by way of numerous modifications,including being fitted with a cargo door, hoist attachment and strengthenedfloor - along with a shortened tail cone for glider-towing shackles, and anastrodome in the cabin roof.

During the Second World War, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47and 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 LongBeach and Santa Monica, California, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Between March1943 and August 1945, the Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s.

(Mark Wagner Photo)

A C-53D "Skytrooper" military transport aircraft.

The specialized C-53 Skytrooper troop transport started production in October 1941 at Douglas Aircraft's Santa Monica plant. It lacked the cargo door, hoistattachment, and reinforced floor of the C-47. Only 380 aircraft were producedin all because the C-47 was found to be more versatile.

Large numbers of DC-3s and surplus C-47s were in commercial use in the UnitedStates in the 1940s. In response to proposed changes to the Civil AirRegulations airworthiness requirements that would limit the continuing use ofthese aircraft, Douglas offered a late-1940s DC-3 conversion to improve takeoffand single-engine performance. This new model, the DC-3S or "SuperDC-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 thecenter of gravity led to larger tail surfaces and new outer, swept-back wings.More powerful engines were installed along with shorter, jet ejection-typeexhaust stacks. These were either 1,475 hp (1,100 kW) Wright R-1820 Cyclones or1,450 hp (1,081 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasps in larger enginenacelles. Minor changes included wheel-well doors, a partially retractabletailwheel, flush rivets, and low-drag antenna. These all contributed to anincreased top speed of 250 mph (400 km/h; 220 kn). With over 75% of theoriginal DC-3/C-47 configuration changed, the modified design was virtually anew aircraft. The first DC-3S made its maiden flight on 23 June 1949.

The changes fully met the new FAR 4B airworthiness requirements, withsignificantly improved performance. However, little interest was expressed bycommercial operators in the DC-3S. It was too expensive for the smalleroperators that were its main target; only three were sold to Capital Airlines.The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps had 100 of their R4D aircraft modified toSuper DC-3 standards as the R4D-8, later redesignated the C-117D.

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-47and its naval version, the R4D, made it possible for Allied troops to counterthe mobility of the light-traveling Japanese Army. C-47s were used to airliftsupplies to the encircled American forces during the Battle of Bastogne inBelgium. Possibly its most influential role in military aviation, however, wasflying "The Hump" from India into China. The expertise gained flying"The Hump" was later used in the Berlin Airlift, in which the C-47played a major role until the aircraft were replaced by Douglas C-54 Skymasters.

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(IWM Photo, EA 59364A)

Crossing the Rhine 24 -31 March 1945: C-47 transport planes release hundreds of paratroops and their supplies over the Rees-Wesel area to the east of the Rhine. This was the greatest airborne operation of the war. Some 40,000 paratroops were dropped by 1,500 troop-carrying planes and gliders. This was Operation Varsity, part of Operation Plunder.

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 towgliders and drop paratroops. During the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, C-47sdropped 4,381 Allied paratroops. More than 50,000 paratroops were dropped by C-47s during the first few days of the D-Day campaign also known as theinvasion of Normandy, France, in June 1944. In the Pacific War, with carefuluse of the island landing strips of the Pacific Ocean, C-47s were used forferrying soldiers serving in the Pacific theater back to the United States.

About 2,000 C-47s (received under Lend-Lease) in British and Commonwealthservice took the name "Dakota", possibly inspired by the acronym"DACoTA" for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft.

The C-47 also earned the informal nickname "gooney bird" in theEuropean theatre of operations. Other sources attribute this name to the firstaircraft, a USMC R2D—the military version of the DC-2—being the first aircraftto land on Midway Island, previously home to the long-winged albatross known asthe gooney bird which was native to Midway.

In the postwar era, the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command hadSkytrains in service from 1946 to 1967. The US Air Force's 6th SpecialOperations Squadron was flying the C-47 until 2008. With all of their aircraftand pilots having been part of the Indian Air Force prior to independence, boththe Indian Air Force and Pakistan Air Force used C-47s to transport supplies totheir soldiers fighting in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. After the end of theSecond World War, thousands of surplus C-47s were converted to civilian airlineuse, some remaining in operation in 2012, as well as being used as privateaircraft.

Several C-47 variants were used in the Vietnam War by the United States AirForce, including three advanced electronic-warfare variations, which sometimeswere called "electric gooneys" designated EC-47N, EC-47P, or EC-47Qdepending on the engine used. In addition, HC-47s were used by the 9th SpecialOperations Squadron to conduct psychological warfare operations over SouthVietnam and Laos. Miami Air International, Miami International Airport was aUSAF military depot used to convert the commercial DC-3s/C-47s into militaryuse. They came in as commercial aircraft purchased from third-world airlinesand were completely stripped, rebuilt, and reconditioned. Long-range fuel tankswere installed, along with upgraded avionics and gun mounts. They left as first-ratemilitary aircraft headed for combat in Vietnam in a variety of missions. EC-47swere also operated by the Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian Air Forces.

A gunship variation, using three 7.62 mmminiguns, designated AC-47 "Spooky", often nicknamed "Puff themagic dragon", also was deployed.

Variants

C-47
Initial military version of the DC-3 had 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 18stretcher cases and a medical crew of three; 965 built (including 12 for theUnited States Navy as R4D-1).

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C-47A

(Adrian Pingstone Photo)

An ex-United States Air Force C-47A Skytrain (civil registration N1944A), previously belonging to Wings Venture, displays at the Cotswold Air Show at Cotswold Airport, Kemble, Gloucestershire, England. This aircraft currently resides at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, FL The military registration was 315211/B/J8, construction number 19677. It carries USAF markings, and black and white invasion stripes. It operated from Upottery in Devon, England, for the invasion of Normandy, France, during

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C-47 with a 24-volt electrical system, 5,254 built including USN aircraftdesignated 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 altitudeperformance) 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) of engine supercharger disabled orremoved after the war
AC-47D Spooky
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 soconverted 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 passedto 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 radiobands covered, while Q replaces analog equipment found on the N and P with adigital 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 dedicatedfor the troop transport role and could carry 28 passengers in fixed metal seatsarranged in rows in the former cargo space; 221 built.
XC-53A Skytrooper
One testbed aircraft modified in March 1942 with full-span slotted flaps andhot-air leading edge de-icing. Converted to C-53 standard in 1949 and sold assurplus.
C-53B Skytrooper
Winterized and long-range Arctic version of the C-53 with extra fuel tanks inthe fuselage and separate navigator's astrodome station for celestialnavigation; 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 ofthe 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 two-speed superchargers replaced by one-speed superchargers, onebuilt 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 passedto 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 typeshow the removal of underslung engine oil coolers typical of the R-1830 engineinstallation; 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 traineraircraft; 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.

United States Navy
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, andVC-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-1820engines, fitted with modified wings and redesigned tail surfaces; redesignatedC-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
C-47TP "Turbo Dak"
Refit with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprops and fuselagestretch for the South African Air Force
Basler BT-67
C-47 conversion with a stretched fuselage, strengthened structure, modernavionics, and powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprops
RAF designations

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 dedicatedtroop transports, lacking the wide cargo doors and reinforced floor of theC-47.
Dakota III
RAF designation for the C-47A.
Dakota IV
RAF designation for the C-47B.
Airspeed AS.61
Projected conversion of Dakota I aircraft by Airspeed. None built.
Airspeed AS.62
Projected conversion of Dakota II aircraft by Airspeed. None built.
Airspeed AS.63
Projected conversion of Dakota III aircraft by Airspeed. None built.
BEA Pionair/Dart-Dakota
Conversion of Dakota to Rolls-Royce Dart power and used by BEA to proveturboprop engines prior to entry into service of Vickers Viscount. (Wikipedia)

(MAS pilot Photo)

Douglas C-47 Dakota operated by Canadian Warplane Heritage, taxiing in at Parry Sound Airport, 9 September 2023.

(IWM Photo, BU 921)

An USAAF C-47 aircraft, hit by flak returning from the Market-Garden drop, burns after crash-landing into a knocked-out German Jagdpanther in a field near Gheel in Belgium.