DC-3 / C-47

DOUGLAS DC-3 / C-47 SKYTRAIN

DC-3 / C-47 SERVICE

Manufacturer:	The Douglas Aircraft Co. Inc., Santa Monica, California, USA
Model:	DC-3
Designations:	C-47; C-41, C-48, C-49, C-50, C-51, C-52, C-53, C-68, C-84, C-117, C-129, CG-17, R4D, CC-129 (CAF)
Names:	Skytrain (C-47); Skytrooper (C-53), Spooky (AC-47D), Dakota (RAF), "Tabby" (Japan, US codename), "Cab" (Russia, NATO codename)

First official flight:	(DST) 17/12/1935
Factory production period:	1934 - 1947
Primary service period:	1936 - 1950's
Last official flight:	(C-117D) 07/1976

DC-3 / C-47 VARIANTS

1935	Model DC-3	DST	21
1937	Model DC-3A	DST-A	19
1936	Model DC-3	DC-3	266
1936	Model DC-3A	DC-3A	114
1936	Model DC-3B	DC-3B	10	Total: 00430

1940	Model DST/-A, DC-3/-3A	Civil aircraft impressed: C-48, C-49, C-50, C-51, C-52, C-53, C-68, R4D-2 / -4	151	Total: 00151

1939	Model DC-3-253A	C-41A	1
1941	Model DC-3-360	C-47	965
1941	Model DC-3	R4D-1	66
1942	Model DC-3A-456	C-47A	5253
1942	Model DC-3A-467	C-47B	3232
1942	Model DC-3A-467	TC-47B	133	Total: 09650

1942	Model DC-3A-405	C-53	219
1943	Model DC-3A-457	C-53D	159	Total: 00378

1944	Model DC-3A	C-117A	16
1944	Model DC-3A	C-117B	1	Total: 00017

1945	Model DC-3A	DC-3D	28	Total: 00028

Grand Total: 10654

1940	Foreign built - Japan: Showa L2D "Tabby"	485
1940	Foreign built - Russia: Lisunov Li-2 "Cab"	7000+	Grand Total: 07485+

Three Model DC-3A aircraft all in flying condition!
From front to rear are C-47B-30-DK (s/n: 44-76803, ex. RNZAF NZ3543),
C-47A-20-DL (s/n: 43-23424, ex. RAAF A65-9) and C-47B-10-DK (s/n: 43-49219).
All are on the New Zealand civil registry as ZK-AWP, ZK-AMS
and ZK-DAK respectively.
Christchurch, New Zealand, 2000.

DC-3 / C-47 PRODUCTION

Civil Aircraft (pre WW2)

DST / DST-A / DC-3 / DC-3A / DC-3B
Douglas Sleeper Transport and Douglas Commercial-3 models.
2 assembled in Japan in 1939 as Showa L2D1 (Naval Type D Transport),
US codename: "Tabby". Several other airframes also foreign assembled.
Produced 1934 - 1941
Douglas Santa Monica, California

DST	mixed 1494 to 4129	21
DST-A	mixed 1951 to 4114	19
DC-3	mixed 1545 to 4803	266
DC-3A	mixed 1900 to 4812	114
DC-3B	mixed 1922 to 2028	10	Total: 00430

Civil to Military Factory Conversions

C-48 / C-49 / C-50 / C-51 / C-53 / C-68
R4D-2 / R4D-4
Factory impressed commercial airliners, various differences.
Produced 1940 - 1942
Douglas Santa Monica, California (DO) (D)

(DC-3A) C-48 / A / C	41-7681 / 41-7684 43-38332 / 43-38338	mixed 3256 to 4148 mixed 4170 to 4182	11
(DC-3) C-49 / A / B / C / D J / K	41-7685 / 41-7694 41-7715 / 41-7721 42-65584 43-1961 / 43-2017	mixed 3270 to 4096 mixed 4170 to 4815 3280 mixed 4996 to 6344	75
(DC-3) C-50 / A / B / C / D	41-7695 / 41-7694 41-7703 / 41-7705 41-7709 / 41-7713	mixed 4083 to 4122 4109 / 4111 mixed 4131 to 4805	14
(DC-3) C-51	41-7702	3289	1
(DC-3 / DC-3A) C-52 / A / B / C	41-7701 41-7706 / 41-7708 41-7714	4136 4127, 4128, 4112 4813	5
(DC-3A) C-53 / C	43-2018 / 43-2034 43-14404, 43-14405	mixed 4964 to 6347 4960, 4961	19
(DC-3A) C-68	42-14297, 42-14298	4173, 4174	2
(DC-3A) Undesignated	no s/n applied.	mixed 4177 to 4981	12
(DC-3) R4D-2	BuNo.4707, 4708	4097, 4098	2
(DC-3A) R4D-4	BuNo.07000 / 07003 BuNo.33815 / 33820	mixed 4962 to 6349 6350 / 6355	10	Total: 00151

Military Aircraft

C-41A
DC-3 model, 23 seat VIP interior, similar to C-39.
Produced 1939
Douglas Santa Monica, California (DO)

40-070

2145

Total: 00001

C-47
As DC-3, revised fuselage, wing, tail,
reinforced floor, cargo door, astrodome.
Produced
Douglas Long Beach, California (DL)

41-7722 / 41-7866	mixed 4200 to 4374
41-18337 / 41-18699	mixed 4375 to 6105
41-19463 / 41-19499	6106 / 6142
41-38564 / 41-38763	mixed 4445 to 6222
42-5635 / 42-5704	mixed 6223 to 9011
42-32786 / 42-32923	9012 / 9149
43-30628 / 43-30639	6059 / 6070	965	Total: 00965
4 to RAAF as A65-1 / A65-4. 2 to RCAF as 650, 652. 1 to RNZAF as NZ3501.

R4D-1
As C-47, version for US Navy,
equipment changes.
34 also converted from C-47.
Produced
Douglas Long Beach, California (D)

BuNo.3131 / 3143	mixed 4204 to 4283
BuNo.4692 / 4706	mixed 4284 to 4366
BuNo.01648, 06149	4367, 4368
BuNo.01977 / 01990 - 1 to RCAF as 10912.	mixed 4433 to 4454
BuNo.05051 / 05072	mixed 4555 to 4764	66	Total: 00066

C-47A
As C-47, 24-volt electrical system.
Many DK built airframe c/n's duplicated with other aircraft,
corrected with new c/n's after delivery.
Produced
Douglas Long Beach, California (DL)

42-23300 / 42-24407	9162 / 10269
42-24408 / 42-24419	13779 / 13790
42-32924 / 42-32935	9150 / 9161
42-100436 / 42-101035	18899 / 19498
43-15033 / 43-16132	19499 / 20598
43-30640 / 43-30761	13791 / 13912	2954
15 to RAAF as A65-5 / A65-19. 14 to RCAF as 651, 653 / 664, 10913.

Douglas Oklahoma, Oklahoma (DK)

42-92024 / 42-93158	11779 / 13039 (c/n's ending in "8" skipped).
42-93160 / 42-93823	13041 / 13777 (c/n's ending in "8" skipped).
42-108794 / 42-108993	11788 / 13778 (only c/n's ending in "8").
43-47963 / 43-48262	13779 / 14078 (corrected c/n: 25224 / 25523)	2299	Total: 05253
40 to RAAF as A65-20 / A65-59. 13 to RCAF as 961 / 963, 965 / 974. 14 to RNZAF as NZ3502 / NZ3506, NZ3516 / NZ3524.

C-47B
As C-47, engine upgrade, high altitude superchargers,
provision for additional fuel tanks.
DK built airframe c/n's duplicated with other aircraft,
corrected with new c/n's after delivery.
Produced
Douglas Long Beach, California (DL)

43-16133 / 43-16432

20599 / 20898

300

Douglas Oklahoma, Oklahoma (DK)

42-93159	13040
43-48263 / 43-49962 - 1682 as C-47B-DK. - 18 as TC-47B-DK.	14079 / 15778 (corrected c/n: 25524 / 27223)
44-76195 / 44-77294 - 985 as C-47B-DK. - 115 as TC-47B-DK.	15779 / 16878 (corrected c/n: 32527 / 33626)
45-876 / 45-1139	16879 / 17142 (corrected c/n: mixed 34134 to 34409)	2932	Total: 03232
65 to RAAF as A65-60 / A65-124. 20 to RCAF as 975 / 991, 10914, 10916, 10917. 34 to RNZAF as NZ3525 / NZ3558. 1405 additional airframes cancelled.

C-47A-20-DK Dakota, s/n: 42-93212, was delivered in 1944 to the
RNZAF as NZ3518 and served until 1949. It then flew on the
civil scene until 1980 when the C-47 ended it's days as a movie
prop as seen here in the 1981 film "Race For The Yankee Zephyr".
Queenstown, New Zealand, 1981.

One of the best in existence!, C-47B-45-DK, s/n: 45-960 (RNZAF s/n: NZ3551),
carried Queen Elizabeth II on her 1953 New Zealand tour in VVIP configuartion.
NewZealand operated 49 Douglas C-47 Dakotas from 1943 to 1978.
RNZAF Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1999.

TC-47B
As C-47B, navigational trainers.
Produced
Douglas Oklahoma, Oklahoma (DK)

133 mixed with C-47B-DK s/n.

Total: 00133

C-53 Skytrooper
As C-47, paratroop version, no cargo door.
2 additional aircraft factory impressed
(43-14404, 43-14405) and 1 civil drafted (43-36600).
Produced
Douglas Santa Monica, California (DO)

41-20045	4810
41-20046 / 41-20136 - 8 delivered as the winterised C-53B.	4816 / 4906
42-6455 / 42-6504	4907 / 4956
42-15530 / 42-15569	7325 / 7364
42-15870 / 42-15894	7387 / 7411
42-47371 / 42-47382	7313 / 7324	219	Total: 00219

C-53D Skytrooper
As C-53, 24-volt electrical system.
Produced
Douglas Santa Monica, California (DO)

42-68693 / 42-68851

11620 / 11778

159

Total: 00159

C-117A
As C-47B, 24 seat passenger interior.
Some later converted to C-117B standard, then VC-117B.
DK built airframe c/n's duplicated with other aircraft,
corrected with new c/n's after delivery.
Produced
Douglas Oklahoma, Oklahoma (DK)

45-2545 / 45-2547	18548 / 18550 (corrected c/n: 34129 / 34131)
45-2549 / 45-2561	18552 / 18564 (corrected c/n: mixed 34133 to 34318)	16	Total: 00016
114 additional airframes cancelled.

C-117B
As C-117A, superchargers removed, later to VC-117B.
Issued with duplicated c/n, corrected after delivery.
Produced
Douglas Long Beach, California (DL)

45-2548

18551 (corrected c/n: 34132)

Total: 00001

Civil Aircraft (post WW2)

DC-3D
As C-117A, surplus airframes completed
as a post WW2 civil variant.
Produced 1945
Douglas Santa Monica, California (DO)

civil reg.

42954 / 42981

Total: 00028

Grand Total: 10654

C-47A-30-DK was originally built for the USAAF as 43-48061 and was later
sold to the Turkish Air Force as 6052 (YSL-52). Turkey operated 108
C-47's from 1946 to 1996, one of the few military air forces in
the world to fly Dakotas into the 1990's.
Turkish Air Force Museum, Istanbul, Turkey, 2005.

DC-3 / C-47 CONVERSIONS

Civil Conversions

DC-3C	21	C-47A/B, 1945, post WW2 Douglas conversions for civil airlines. New c/n: 43073 / 43092, 43154, conversions finished in 1947. Thousands more modified in post WW2 years to this standard.
DC-3S (Super DC-3)	5	1 C-47(41-18656) / 4 DC-3, 1949, modified version of DC-3 airliner. Fuselage / wing / tail redesign, engine upgrade, new c/n: 43158, 43159, 43191 / 43193. First DC-3S (C-47) later to USAF as YC-129 (51-3817) then USN as R4D-8X (BuNo. 138659).
Hi-Per DC-3	1+	C-47 / civil DC-3, 1952, engine upgrades for high altitude airports.

Military Conversions

USAAF / USAF

C-47	30	C-47, 1949, refurbished aircraft for Greece, new s/n: 49-2612 / 49-2641.
C-47A	1	R4D-5(17205), US Navy conversion to US Army, assigned s/n: 66-8836.
AC-47A	1+	C-47A, electronics calibration conversions.
(EC-47A)	1+	AC-47A, further conversions for Airways and Air Communications Service.
JC-47A	1	C-47A(42-93177), conversion for temporary testing.
RC-47A	1+	C-47A, used in Korean war, limited reconn. aircraft.
SC-47A	1+	C-47A, air/sea search and rescue conversions.
(HC-47A)	1+	1962, redesignation of SC-47A.
VC-47A	1+	C-47A, staff transports, later redesignated C-117C.
WC-47A	1+	C-47A, weather reconn. conversions.
AC-47B	1+	C-47B, electronics calibration conversions.
(EC-47B)	1+	Redesignation of AC-47B.
NC-47B	1	C-47B(43-16277), permanent test duties, sometimes: NC-47J.
SC-47B	1+	C-47B, air/sea search and rescue conversions.
(HC-47B)	1+	1962, redesignation of SC-47B.
VC-47B	1+	C-47B, staff transports, later redesignated as VC-47D, then C-117C.
XC-47C	1	C-47(42-5671), 1943, prototype fitted with amphibious floats. Some unofficial field conversions as C-47C.
C-47D	1+	C-47B, redesignation of B's after removal of high altitude superchargers.
AC-47D	26	C-47D, 1953, operated by Military Air Transport Service (MATS).
(EC-47D)	26	1962, redesignation of AC-47D.
AC-47D	53	*Spooky* C-47D, 1964-1969, Vietnam gunship conversions, three miniguns. Original designation was FC-47D.
RC-47D	1+	C-47D, Vietnam photo reconnaissance conversions.
SC-47D	1+	C-47D, search and rescue conversions, ventral lifeboat.
(HC-47D)	1+	1962, redesignation of SC-47D.
TC-47D	1+	C-47D, trainer conversion.
VC-47D	1+	C-47D, staff transport, later redesignated C-117C.
C-47E	8	C-47A/B, used by Pan American as Airways Check aircraft.
EC-47M	1+	USN C-47H/J, fitted with special electronic equipment in Vietnem war.
EC-47N	1+	C-47A, electronic reconn. aircraft in Vietnam war.
EC-47P	1+	C-47D, electronic reconn. aircraft in Vietnam war.
EC-47Q	1+	C-47A/D, reconn. aircraft in Vietnam, engine upgrade.

Civil DC-3 models converted after airline delivery / service:
(DC-3A / DST-A)	C-48B / C Assigned s/n: 42-38258, 42-38259, 42-38324 / 42-38327, 42-56089 / 42-56091, 42-56098 / 42-56102, 42-56609 / 42-56612, 42-56629, 42-78026 / 42-78028, 44-52990, 44-52991. - 42-38259 briefly operated as 42-33642.	24
(DC-3/B / DST)	C-49D / E / F / G / H Assigned s/n: 42-38250 / 42-38257, 42-38328 / 42-38331, 42-43619 / 42-43624, 42-56092 / 42-56097, 42-56103 / 42-56107, 42-56613 / 42-56618, 42-56620, 42-56621, 42-56623, 42-56625 / 42-56628, 42-56630 / 42-56637, 42-57506, 42-65580 / 42-65583, 42-68687 / 42-68689, 42-68860, 42-107422, 44-52999, 44-83228, 44-83229.	63
(DC-3A)	C-52D Assigned s/n: 42-6505. - Later to C-48C, new s/n: 42-38260.	1
(DC-3A)	C-53 Assigned s/n: 43-36600. - Served as Douglas staff transport (NC30000).	1
(DC-3B)	C-84 Assigned s/n: 41-57157, 42-57511 / 42-57513.	4	Total: 93

VC-53	1	C-53, conversion as a VIP transport.
XC-53A	1	C-53(42-6480), 1943, factory conversion with slotted flaps, hot-air de-icing.
C-53B	8	C-53, 1942, factory converted with extra fuel, winter equipment for Arctic.
ZC-53D	1+	C-53D, 1948, redesignation as "obsolete".
VC-117A	5	3 C-117A / 2 C-117C, VIP conversions.
C-117C	11	VC-47 / VC-47A, 1953, upgrade to C-117B, later redesignated VC-117A.
(SC-117A)	1	C-117C(43-16097), air/sea rescue conversion.
YC-129	1	DC-3S, 1950, designation for Super DC-3 evaluation, s/n: 51-3817. Later redesignated as YC-47F, then to USN as R4D-8X (BuNo. 138659).
XCG-17	1	C-47(41-18496), Glider conversion with engines faired over.

US Navy

R4D-1	35	C-47, aircraft in service with the US Navy. Assigned BuNo. 12393 / 12404, 30147, 37660 / 37680, 91104 (ex. RAF FD797). 30 additional conversions cancelled.
R4D-2F	2	R4D-2, conversion to a VIP transport.
(R4D-2Z)	2	Redesignation of R4D-2F.
R4D-3	20	18 C-53 / 2 C-53, 1942, personnel transports for US Navy. Assigned BuNo. 05073 / 05084, 06992 / 06999.
R4D-4Q	1+	R4D-4, modifications for ECM testing.
R4D-4R	7	Civil DC-3, conversions as staff transports. Assigned BuNo. 33615 / 33621.
R4D-5	238	C-47A, aircraft in service with US Navy. Assigned BuNo. 12405 / 12446, 17092 / 17248, 39057 / 39095. Modifications with 1962 C-47H redesignations: R4D-5 (C-47H) Base model. R4D-5E, Electronic ops. R4D-5L (LC-47H) Arctic / Antarctic ops. R4D-5Q (EC-47H) Radar countermeasures. R4D-5R (TC-47H) Personnel transports. R4D-5S (SC-47H) Air-sea warfare training. R4D-5T, Navigation training. R4D-5Z (VC-47H) Staff transports.
R4D-6	152	C-47B, aircraft in service with US Navy. Assigned BuNo. 17249 / 17291, 39096 / 39098, 39100, 39109, 50740 / 50839, 150187 / 150190. Modifications with 1962 C-47J redesignations: R4D-6 (C-47J) Base model. R4D-6E, Electronic ops. R4D-6L (LC-47J) Arctic / Antarctic ops. R4D-6Q (EC-47J) Radar countermeasures. R4D-6R (TC-47J) Personnel transports. R4D-6S (SC-47J) Air-sea warfare training. R4D-6T, Navigation training. R4D-6Z (VC-47J) Staff transports.
R4D-7	45	TC-47B, aircraft in service with US Navy. Assigned BuNo. 39099, 39101 / 39108, 39110, 39111, 99824 / 99857. 5 later converted to R4D-6 standard. 155 additional airframes cancelled.
(TC-47K)	39	1962, redesignation of R4D-7.
R4D-8X	1	YC-47F, 1953, US Navy Super DC-3 evaluation, assigned BuNo. 138659, but actually used BuNo. 138820.
R4D-8	100	R4D-5/6/7, conversions to Super DC-3 standards. Original BuNo.'s retained. New c/n: 43301 / 43400. Modifications with 1962 C-117D redesignations: R4D-8 (C-117D) Base model. R4D-8L (LC-117D) Winterised transports. R4D-8T (TC-117D) Trainers. R4D-8Z (VC-117D) Staff transports.

Panoramic view of US Navy Douglas LC-47H BuNo. 17221, nicknamed "Kool Kiwi".
Originally built as C-47A-25-DK, s/n: 42-92410, this aircraft was assigned to the
US Navy as an R4D-5L for Antarctic Operation Deep Freeze from 1955 to 1966.
It was redesignated as an LC-47H in 1962 and is one of only
two such conversions left in the world today.
Christchurch, New Zealand, 1996.

British RAF

Dakota Mk. I	54	C-47 / R4D-1, 1943, aircraft serving with the RAF. Assigned RAF s/n: FD768 / FD818, FG857, HK893 (built from spares), HK993.
Dakota Mk. II	9	C-53, 1942, aircraft serving with the RAF. Assigned RAF s/n: FJ709 / FJ712, HK867, MA928, MA929, TJ167, TJ170.
Dakota Mk. III	963	C-47A, aircraft serving with the RAF. Assigned RAF s/n: FD819 / FD967, FL503 / FL652, FZ548 / FZ698, KG310 / KG809, TP187, TS422 / TS427, TS431 / TS436. Conversion: GT.Mk. IV (TP187). 83 to RCAF with 8 as 960, 964, 992, 993, 994, 10910, 10911, 10918.
Dakota Mk. IV	895	C-47B, aircraft serving with the RAF. Assigned RAF s/n: KJ801 / KJ999, KK100 / KK220, KN200 / KN701, KP208 / KP279, TP181. 35 to RCAF with 3 as 1000, 10915, 14995.
C-49D / G / H	6	Assigned RAF s/n: LR231 / LR233, LR235, MA925, MA943.
C-53	1	Assigned RAF s/n: LR234.
C-68	1	Assigned RAF s/n: LR230.

DC-3	4	Civil DC-3, 1939-1940, aircraft impressed into service with RAAF s/n: A30-1 / A30-4.

Foreign Conversions

CC-129

RCAF Dakota, 1968-1989, redesignation after the RCAF
became the Canadian Armed Forces.
Assigned CAF s/n: 12901 / 12971.

FOREIGN MILITARY / CIVILIAN SERVICE
- Just about every country in the world used the DC-3 / C-47 at some
   point during and post WW2, in either a civil or military capacity.
- Thousands sold on the civil market as business ventures, transports, sprayers etc.
   with many aviation manufacturers offering turbo engine upgrades such as the
   Mamba Dakota (1949), RR Dart Dakota (1950), Conroy Turbo Three (1969),
   Conroy Tri-Turbo Three (1977), USAC Turbo Express (1982),
   AMI Cargomaster (1986) and Basler Turbo 67 (1988).

DC-3 / C-47 FOREIGN MANUFACTURE

JAPAN
Showa L2D "Tabby"
(Naval Type O Transport)
Japanese version of the DC-3 / C-47, licence obtained
in 1938 by Mitsui Bussan Kaisha KK, Japan.
Produced 1940 - 1945
Showa Hikoki Kogyo KK, Tokyo, Japan

L2D2	1941, Model 11, personnel transport.
L2D2-1	Model 11, cargo transport.
L2D3	Model 22, personnel transport.
L2D3a	Model 22, personnel transport.
L2D3-1	Model 22, cargo transport.
L2D3-1a	Model 22, cargo transport.
L2D4	Model 32, armed personnel transport.
L2D4-1	Model 32, armed cargo transport.
L2D5	Model 33, personnel transport of part wood and steel contruction.	414

Nakajima Hikoki KK, Tokyo, Japan

L2D2

1940, Model 11, personnel transport.

Grand Total: 0485

RUSSIA
Lisunov Li-2 "Cab"
Russian Licence built version of the DC-3 / C-47.
Original designation was PS-84, changed to Li-2 in 1042.
Produced 1940 - 1945
Lisunov Aircraft Co., Russia

Li-2	*Salon, VIP transport. Polyarnyi*, Arctic transport.
L-i2D	Aux. fuel tanks.
Li-2F	Photography duties.
Li-2FG	Mapping and surveying version.
Li-2G	Standard freight version.
Li-2GP	Freight / troop convertible.
Li-2LP	Forest patrol, fire-bomber.
Li-2M	Meteorological version.
Li-2P	Standard personnel transport version.
Li-2RP	Coastal patrol version.
Li-2RT	Radio relay version.
Li-2SKh	Spraying and dusting version.
Li-2UT	Navigational trainer.
Li-2V	High-altitude version.
Li-2VP	Armed multi-role version.	7000+	Grand Total: 7000+

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