The C-47 is surely one of the most reliable aircraft of its time ... If you are also passionate about the Second World War, then you will recognize it at first glance. Why ? Simply because it was the airplane that transported US airborne troops (82nd and 101st, among others) during the Normandy landing on the night of June 5-6, 1944. This was of course not the only mission of these Aircraft: they also transported all kinds of cargoes, personnel, and towed the gliders of D-day. One of its nicknames by which it is also known, the "Dakota", was given to him by the men of the RAF. The American troops will call it the "Skytrain".
It is simply the military version of the "commercial DC-3 airliner" (civilian version), appeared in 1936. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and towards the end of the war, 9,348 had been obtained for the " Use of the USAAF. Few changes were made to convert the civil aircraft for military use. Among the changes, the cabin was completely modified to accommodate 28 men sitting on the benches, or 24 stretchers once the benches were folded.
After this war, they were used to make the air bridge in Berlin or in Korea, always for the same use (airborne, equipment, personnel ...).
Variants of the Douglas C-47 Skytrain:
C-47 Skytrain: Basic model of the transport aircraft.C-47A Skytrain: Arrived in 1942, this model differs by the replacement of electrical appliances 12 Volts in 24 Volts. These are the most produced models with 5,954 units supplied to the military.
C-47B Skytrain: Used to fly over the Himalayas to refuel Chinese troops from India. Replacing the engine by an R-1830-90C (continuously developing a power of 1,000 hp at 2,700 rpm at 1860m altitude) to be able to fly at a higher altitude. 3,364 C-47B ordered but 3,232 delivered because the end of the war no longer imposed such a high flight.
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