C47s

The C-47 Skytrain, widely known as the C-47, is the military transport version of the Douglas DC-3 airliner. Developed for the United States Army Air Forces and other Allied operators in the early 1940s, it became one of the most versatile and prolific airlifters of World War II, earning its place as a foundational component of Allied air operations. In British Commonwealth service it was known as the Dakota.

Design and capabilities begin with a conventional, all-metal, twin-engine monoplane configuration. The C-47 is powered by two radial piston engines and features a robust airframe optimized for cargo and troop transport. It was capable of carrying roughly 28 fully equipped troops, a substantial cargo load, or serving as a medical evacuation aircraft. The airframe accommodated reinforced floors, wide cargo doors, and paratrooper equipment, enabling aerial drops and sustained supply missions behind enemy lines.

Operational history spans theaters across the war and into the postwar era. The C-47 performed strategic airlift and tactical resupply missions, most famously supporting D-Day operations with paratroopers and supplies. It was central to transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment across Atlantic combat theaters and in the China-Burma-India theater. After the war, the C-47 remained in widespread military and civilian service, laying the groundwork for modern airlift doctrine and inspiring numerous variants and conversions.

Variants and operators include multiple military designations such as C-47A, C-47B, and C-47D, with the RAF, RAAF, and other Allied forces using the Dakota designation. The aircraft also inspired civilian transport conversions and continued to see use in various roles for decades.

Today, the C-47 is remembered as a cornerstone of Allied air mobility, with many examples preserved in museums and displayed as symbols of strategic airlift in the mid-20th century.