DC-3/ C-47

DC-3/ C-47Bush Plane?

HistoryFirst flight was on December 17, 1935Revolutionized Air TransportSpeedRangeRegarded as one of the most significant transport aircraft ever madeOverall 16,079 were produced CivilMilitaryInternationalHas seen many decades and wars

SpecificationsGeneral CharacteristicsCrew: 2Capacity: 21-32 passengers or

3,725 to 4,500 lbs freightLength: 64ft 5inWingspan: 95ftHeight: 16ft 11inEmpty weight: 18,300 lbLoaded weight: 25,200 lbPower plant: Pratt and Whitney R-1830PerformanceMax speed: 237 mphCruise speed: 150 mphRange: 1,025 milesService Ceiling: 24,000 ftRate of Climb: 1,130 ft/min

Tuff Huh?None were comparable in its timeAffordableTuffTook a licken and keeps on tickinCarried 90% of airline travelers of its dayStructurally soundOperated under all weather conditionsRugged and Reliable

Bush PlanesCommon traitsTaildraggerGreater prop clearanceShort runway requirementsLarge low pressure tundra tiresRemovable floats or skiesDC-3Made for 1930s runwaysPerfect for the rural runways of todays developing countries 2,200 feet for landing1,000 feet for takeoffs

In ServiceStill to this day these workhorses shineAlaskaDelivery servicesAfricaLuxury Travel HatiMissionary Efforts

What Can Compare?DC-3s are also called C-47, Li-2, R4D, DakotaDesign Impressed everyone16,079 made$150,000 good used condition worth 4 million in brand new conditionCV580 / CV240 somewhat comparesFar more expensive1,181 madeDHC-6 Twin OtterOnly about $2,000,000. new844 madeVickers Vicking 1AMost retired in the 1950sOnly 163 built Nothing Replaces a DC-3 Like another DC-3

I went there!