Douglas C-47 Dakota (DC-3 variant)

22 Aug 2026 · © Cundy88

A classic Douglas DC-3 silhouette soars above a modern hangar—living aviation history in flight. Fly past by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for the Luton Airport Families Day

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Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3 military variant)

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (Military DC-3 variant)

Aircraft

C-47 Dakota (DC-3 variant) C47

Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

ZA947

Registration

Airline

Royal Air Force (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)

Manufacturer

Douglas

Gear

iPhone 16 Pro Max

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager

2 badges earned

Photo grade

Score: 65.0

Nice dynamic angle, but the silhouetted aircraft lacks detail and clarity against the bright clouds.

Location

Signature Hangar Gate 5

London Luton Airport · LTN/EGGW

51.8782, -0.3823

Open map

London Luton Airport LTN

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

One of the most iconic and influential aircraft in the history of commercial and military aviation, the DC-3 revolutionized air travel and logistics from the late 1930s onward.

Fleet Rarity

Active airworthy examples are rare but still found in small numbers, often as vintage, heritage, or specialist roles.

Record Flights

Used extensively in WWII and for early postwar commercial air travel. DC-3s have set longevity records and flown on nearly every continent.

Safety & Events

Has a legendary reputation for reliability; DC-3s served with distinction during WWII as the C-47 and continue to fly in limited operations over 85 years after introduction.

Future Outlook

Most surviving DC-3s are either preserved, in museums, or operated for special events/heritage flights.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial piston engines

Engine

28.96 m

Wingspan

19.66 m

Length

2,575 km

Range

320 km/h

Speed

27 troops (as typical military spec)

Capacity

12,383 kg

MTOW

5.16 m

Height