The Douglas C-47 Skytrain was developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner.
The main modifications from the DC-3 included, the fitment of a cargo door, a hoist attachment, a strengthened floor, a shortened tail cone for glider towing shackles and an astrodome in the cabin roof.
A specialised C-53 ‘Skytrooper’ transport aircraft was produced at Douglas’s Santa Monica plant, however, only 380 aircraft were built because the C-47 proved to be more versatile.
PRODUCTION
The Douglas C-47 was manufactured from 1941 to 1945, with over 10,000 being built.
The C-47 was extensively used during WWII to airlift supplies, deploy Para troops and tow gliders.
The C-47 was used by the RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF and SAAF designated the ‘Dakota’, the name being an acronym for ‘Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft’.
During the first few days of D-Day, more than 50,000 Para troops were dropped by C-47 early June 1944.
C-47’s were also used during the Vietnam War by the USAF, including EC-47’s which were advanced electronic-warfare variations.
A Gunship variation, designated AC-47 nicknamed ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’, used three 7.62 mm miniguns and could be called for close air support by ground troops.
