Douglas C-47 Skytrain (Military DC-3)

1h ago · © TangoLima

A legendary Douglas C-47 'Skytrain' in WWII USAAF livery, complete with D-Day invasion stripes, in flight. A true icon of aviation history.

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

Aircraft

C-47 Skytrain (Military DC-3) DC3

WWII USAAF olive drab with D-Day invasion stripes

476717

Registration

Manufacturer

Douglas

Gear

NIKON CORPORATION NIKON D3200 AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Achievements

Retro Wings, Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Livery Legend, Military Maverick

5 badges earned

Photo grade

Bronze

Score: 71.0

WWII scheme looks great, but image is a bit soft and sky is dull; nice profile catch!

Insights

Aviation History

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain is a legendary WWII-era transport, vital to Allied operations such as the D-Day landings, Berlin Airlift, and global logistics throughout the war. A military development of the DC-3, its legacy is profound in both civil and military aviation.

Fleet Rarity

Active, flyable examples are now extremely rare, though hundreds survive in museums or as static displays.

Record Flights

Participated in major historical operations like D-Day and the Berlin Airlift; some C-47s have completed round-the-world flights and commemorative missions.

Safety & Events

The C-47 was parachute/dropship for D-Day, supply runner in Burma and Pacific. Many survived combat; some airframes are preserved as flying warbirds and museum pieces today.

Future Outlook

Most surviving C-47s are museum pieces, or appear at airshows as warbirds. Some serve in private, commemorative capacity.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial (x2)

Engine

29.11 m

Wingspan

19.66 m

Length

2,575 km

Range

333 km/h

Speed

27 troops (standard military seating)

Capacity

14,061 kg

MTOW

5.16 m

Height

895 hp (668 kW) per engine

Thrust

Classical piston radial, not rated by ICAO modern standards (much noisier than jets)

Noise