C-47 Skytrain
Douglas · United States · first flew 1941 · transport aircraft
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain, known in British service as the Dakota, is a twin-engine military transport derived from the DC-3 airliner and one of the most important Allied aircraft of the war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Large cargo door in rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tailwheel transport with tapered wing
- Twin radial engines on the wing
- Large cargo door in rear fuselage
Recognise it by the classic tailwheel stance, gently tapered low wing and two radial engines. The long fuselage with its large rear cargo door and rounded fin mark the Dakota.
Specifications
- The C-47 Skytrain has a length of 19.43 m (64 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 29.11 m (96 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 360 km/h (224 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in its military form in 1941, the C-47 added a strengthened floor and large cargo door to the proven DC-3 design. It carried troops, freight, paratroops and gliders, and over 10,000 were built. General Eisenhower rated it among the weapons most vital to victory.
Variants
The C-47, C-53 Skytrooper and British Dakota marks served as transports and paratroop carriers. The post-war AC-47 gunship and turbine-converted survivors extended the design's life. Civil DC-3s remain in use to this day.
Where you'll see it
RAF Dakotas carried paratroops and towed gliders on D-Day and at Arnhem, and the type served the RAF for decades after. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates a Dakota from RAF Coningsby, and preserved examples are held at IWM Duxford and the RAF Museum. It is a familiar sight at UK commemorative events.
Related aircraft
- Douglas A-20B Havoc
- Douglas Boston III
- Douglas C-47A Dakota
- Douglas Havoc Mk II
- Arado Ar 232
- Beechcraft GB-1
- Beechcraft JB-1 Traveller
- Beechcraft JRB-1 Voyager
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