Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Країні	Сша
Роль	Військово-транспортні літаки
Перший політ	: 23 грудня 1941
Побудований	10174

У 201 Скайтрен Дугласа С-47 або «Дакота» (позначення RAF) - військово-транспортний літак, розроблений на основі цивільного лайнера Douglas DC-3. Він широко використовувався союзниками під час Другої світової війни і залишається на передовій у різних військових операторів.

Джерело: Скайтрен Дугласа С-47 у Вікіпедії

Douglas C-53D Skytrooper Walk Around
Спеціалізований військовий транспорт C-53 Skytrooper розпочав виробництво в жовтні 1941 року на заводі Douglas Aircraft в Санта-Моніці, штат Каліфорнія. У ньому були відсутні вантажні двері, кріплення талі і посилена підлога С-47. Всього було випущено лише 380 літаків, оскільки C-47 був визнаний більш універсальним.
Фотограф	Володимир Якубов
Локалізацією	Центральний музей збройних сил
Фото	217

Douglas C-53D Skytrooper 001

Douglas C-53D Skytrooper 002

Douglas C-53D Skytrooper 003

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Douglas C-53D Skytrooper 009

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C-47 Skytrain/Dakota Walk Around
Фотограф	Незнай
Локалізацією	Незнай
Фото	45

Douglas C-47 Skytrain Walk Around
Фотограф	Білл Мелоуні
Локалізацією	Флойд Беннетт Філд ХАРФ
Фото	37

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Douglas C-47 Skytrain Walk Around
Фотограф	Незнай
Локалізацією	Незнай
Фото	56

Douglas C-47 Skytrain 01

Douglas C-47 Skytrain 02

Douglas C-47 Skytrain 03

Douglas C-47 Skytrain 04

Douglas C-47 Skytrain 05

Douglas C-47 Skytrain 06

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The Legend of the DC-3

У 201 Скайтрен Дугласа С-47 (known as the Дакота in British service) was the military conversion of the revolutionary DC-3 airliner. General Dwight D. Eisenhower famously cited it as one of the four most vital pieces of equipment that won WWII (alongside the Jeep, the Bazooka, and the Atomic Bomb). While the German Ju 52 was a product of the late 1920s, the C-47 was a generation ahead—featuring a sleek, all-metal semi-monocoque design, retractable landing gear, and significantly more power. It was the plane that made reliable global air transport a reality.

Attribute	Technical Specification (C-47A)
Роль	Military Transport / Cargo / Glider Tug
команда	3 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Radio Operator)
Capacity	28 fully equipped paratroopers or 2,722 kg (6,000 lbs) of cargo
Engines	2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp radials (1,200 hp each)
Максимальна швидкість	370 km/h (230 mph) at 8,500 ft
Cruise Speed	260 km/h (160 mph)
Діапазон	2,575 km (1,600 miles)
Service Ceiling	8,045 meters (26,400 feet)

Design Engineering: Simple, Strong, and Streamlined

The “Gooney Bird” Durability: The C-47 earned its nickname from its albatross-like endurance. Its multi-cellular wing design meant that even if a large portion of the wing was shot away, the internal structure could often still carry the load, allowing “mutilated” planes to limp home.
Military Modifications: To turn a DC-3 into a C-47, Douglas added a large double cargo door on the port side, a reinforced floor to support the weight of Jeeps or 37mm anti-tank guns, and a shortened tail cone for glider-towing shackles.
Astrodome Navigation: Unlike the civilian version, military C-47s featured a small clear bubble (astrodome) on top of the cockpit. This allowed the navigator to use a sextant to plot the plane’s position by the stars during long over-water flights.
Pratt & Whitney Reliability: The R-1830 “Twin Wasp” engines were legendary for their ability to keep running even when damaged or poorly maintained. This reliability was crucial for the treacherous “Hump” flights over the Himalayas.

Operational History: D-Day and Beyond

Operation Overlord: On the night of June 5/6, 1944, over 800 C-47s filled the skies over Normandy, dropping more than 13,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines. This remains the most iconic moment in the aircraft’s history.
“The Hump”: C-47s provided a vital lifeline to China by flying over the Himalayas from India. They braved extreme turbulence, ice, and Japanese fighters to deliver supplies that kept Chinese forces in the war.
Berlin Airlift: After the war, the C-47 (and later the C-54) saved the city of West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. C-47s landed around the clock, delivering food and coal to a starving population every few minutes.
Puff the Magic Dragon: In the Vietnam War, the C-47 was modified into the **AC-47 Spooky** gunship. Armed with three side-firing 7.62mm miniguns, it could saturate a target area with 18,000 rounds per minute, earning it a terrifying reputation among enemy ground forces.