Douglas C-47 Skytrain (Dakota)

BigxMike 🇺🇸

30 May 2026 · © Big Mike Aviation Photography

Douglas C-47 Skytrain in WWII military livery, on display with visitors, a legendary workhorse of aviation history.

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

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

Aircraft

C-47 Skytrain (Dakota) C47

World War II-era, olive drab military-style livery

Manufacturer

Douglas

Gear

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max back triple camera 6.765mm f/1.78

Achievements

Retro Wings, Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Livery Legend

4 badges earned

Photo grade

Bronze

Score: 77.0

Bold low-angle makes the radial engines pop; people and rail add clutter but boost context.

Location

Penn Valley Airport

SEG/KSEG

40.8206, -76.8639

Open map

Penn Valley Airport SEG

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain is a military transport derivative of the DC-3, one of the most important aircraft of World War II, famous for its roles in paratroop, cargo, and medevac missions.

Fleet Rarity

Only a few dozen flyable C-47s remain worldwide—most are in museums or operated by historic flight organizations.

Record Flights

Extensive use in major operations like D-Day, Berlin Airlift, and across all WWII theaters; many were later used for long-haul conversions and airshow/historic flights.

Safety & Events

Numerous heroic flights in WWII, survival of many frames through combat and peacetime; some airframes seen in major events and films.

Future Outlook

This airframe is a preserved/vintage example, likely to remain on historic display or operated on limited airshow/demo flights.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp (radial piston engines)

Engine

29.0 m

Wingspan

19.7 m

Length

2,575 km

Range

290 km/h

Speed

up to 28 troops (original configuration)

Capacity

14,061 kg

MTOW

5.2 m

Height

895 kW (1,200 hp) per engine

Thrust

Not rated to modern ICAO Chapter standards; typical piston twin noise profile

Noise