C47

C-47 Skytrain, commonly known as Dakota in the RAF and other Allied air forces, is the military transport version of the Douglas DC-3 airliner. Developed from the DC-3 in the late 1930s, the C-47 entered U.S. military service in 1941 and became one of World War II’s most widely used transport aircraft. It supported cargo, troop movement, paratrooper operations, and medical evacuation, earning a reputation for reliability and ruggedness.

Design and capabilities: The C-47 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines and features a sturdy airframe optimized for short takeoffs and rough airstrips. It could carry about 28 troops or up to 6,000 pounds of cargo and offered rapid loading and unloading through its cargo doors and aft ramp.

Operational history: In World War II, C-47s conducted thousands of missions across theaters from Europe to the Pacific, including the Normandy invasion, where paratroopers and equipment were dropped and supplies ferried to the front. They also towed gliders and performed evacuations. After the war, the aircraft remained in military and civilian service for decades with many air forces and airlines.

Legacy: The C-47/DC-3 family helped establish modern airlift doctrine and remains a symbol of wartime transport. Thousands were produced, and after retirement many enjoyed preservation in museums and at airshows, with some still flown by hobby operators.