Douglas R4D-8#Surviving aircraft

During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo, and wounded. The US Navy designation was R4D. More than 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Between March 1943 and August 1945, the Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s.Parker 2013, pp. 13, 35, 37, 39, 45-47.Herman 2012, pp. 202-203, 227.

Large numbers of DC-3s and surplus C-47s were in commercial use in the 1940s. In response to proposed changes to the Civil Air Regulations airworthiness requirements that would restrict use of these aircraft, Douglas offered a conversion to improve takeoff and single-engine performance.{{Cite book|last=Davis|first=Larry |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/32799671|title=C-47 Skytrain in action|date=1995|publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications|isbn=0897473299|location=Carrollton, TX|pages=56–60 |oclc=32799671}}

The fuselage of the DC-3S or "Super DC-3", was strengthened and lengthened by {{cvt|3|ft|3|in}} ahead of the wings. The wing center section remained the same but the outer wing panels had a 4° trailing edge sweep and squared-off wingtips that reduced the wingspan by {{cvt|5|ft|5|in}}. There was also a new square tail fin with a large dorsal fillet that was {{cvt|1|ft}} taller than the DC-3's to compensate for the increased torque from more powerful engines. Either {{cvt|1475|hp}} Wright R-1820-80 Cyclones or {{cvt|1450|hp}} Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasps with short, jet ejection-type exhaust stacks could be fitted.

Other features included a fully enclosed retractable landing gear, a small airliner style door, a partially retractable tailwheel, flush rivets, and low-drag antennas. With greater than 75% of the original DC-3/C-47 configuration changed, it was almost a new aircraft.[http://www.dc3history.org/dc3super.html "Super DC-3"]. dc3history.org. Retrieved 23 June 2010. The DC-3S made its first flight on 23 June 1949.Francillon 1979, pp. 464–465. The changes met the new FAR 4B airworthiness requirements and 38 passengers could be carried, with increased speed to compete with newer airliners. Douglas offered to convert existing aircraft for $150,000 per aircraft, however little interest was expressed by commercial operators. Several factors led to the DC-3S being rejected by the airlines, including a glut of much cheaper ex-military transport aircraft, including newer more capable designs, available for use as civil airliners. As a result, only three were sold to Capital Airlines.

During the later part of World War II, the United States Army Air Forces ordered a 21 seat VIP transport version of the C-47B and Douglas delivered 17 during 1944/45. These had 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R1830 engines, smaller airliner style doors, and were given the designation C-117A. Several were later modified by replacing their two-stage superchargers with single-stage superchargers and given the new designation C-117B. A number of VC-47 VIP transports were also modified to C-117B standard and given the designation C-117C. The USN and USMC also had their versions of the C-47 designated R4D-1, R4D-3, R4D-5, R4D-6, and R4D-7.

Having failed to sell the DC-3S to the airlines Douglas offered a 21 seat VIP transport version with a similar configuration as the C-117B to the USAF and was evaluated under the designation YC-129, later redesignated YC-47F. The USAF declined to buy the YC-129 and opted instead for a version of the Convair CV-240 which was given the designation C-131 Samaritan. The USAF transferred the YC-129 to the United States Navy for evaluation during 1951 and it was given the Navy designation R4D-8X. Unlike the USAF the USN ordered Douglas to convert 100 existing R4D-5s, R4D-6s, and R4D-7s to the same configuration as the R4D-8X and given the designation R4D-8, which was later redesignated C-117D in 1962.Francillon 1979, pp. 466–467.

The empty and loaded weight of the R4D-8 increased but so did top speed {{cvt|270|mph|kn km/h}} and cruise speed {{cvt|250|mph|kn km/h}}. Fuel capacity also doubled to {{cvt|1330|USgal|impgal l}} and despite doubling the fuel capacity range was only increased to {{cvt|2500|mi}}. In USN and USMC service the R4D-8 was mostly used as a transport and was also used by the USN parachute demonstration team the "Chuting Stars".{{Cite web |title=C-117D (R4D-8) Skytrain |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nnam/explore/collections/aircraft/c/c-117d-skytrain0.html |access-date=2021-06-09 |website=NHHC |language=en-US}}

File:C-117D Super Dakotas US Navy 1967.jpg in 1967]]

R4D-8s were used as staff transports as well as para dropping supplies and flares during the Korean War.

C-117Ds were used as staff transports and some were converted to ELINT aircraft as well as dropping flares during the Vietnam War.

Four R4D-8Ls participated in Operation Deep Freeze{{clarify|date=September 2022}} and three were lost.{{Cite book|last=Percy|first=Arthur|title=Douglas R4D variants (USN's DC-3 / C-47s) (Aircraft Profile No. 249)|publisher=Profile Publications|year=1973|pages=24}}

1 C-117 remains in service with Alaska based transNorthern. its currently configured as a cargo airplane. it was acquired by transNorthern in 2007 from kenn borek air.https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=58951 it is currently registered as N28TN. transNorthern also has a second C-117 in storage, registered as N30TN. this airplane is fitted with a passenger cabin, it hasn't flown since about 2019https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N30TN

{{Main|List of Douglas DC-3 family variants}}

;YC-129

:DC-3S prototype for evaluation by USAF redesignated C-47F and later passed to USN as R4D-8X.

;R4D-8

:Remanufactured R4D-5, R4D-6, and R4D-7 aircraft with stretched fuselage, Wright R-1820 engines, fitted with modified wings and redesigned tail surfaces; redesignated C-117D in 1962.

;R4D-8L

:R4D-8 converted for Antarctic use with deleted oil coolers, ski landing gear, nose mounted weather radar, and JATO gear redesignated LC-117D in 1962.

;R4D-8T

:R4D-8 navigation trainer, redesignated TC-117D in 1962.

;R4D-8Z

:R4D-8 converted as a staff transport, redesignated VC-117D in 1962.

;{{USA}}

• United States Navy
• United States Marine Corps

• 1973 Sólheimasandur Douglas DC-3 crash
• BuNo. 17154 named "Negatus Perspirus" crashed at Byrd Station Antarctica on January 6, 1960.
• BuNo. 17219 named "Semper Shafters USMC" damaged on landing and abandoned at Horlick Mountains Antarctica on November 12, 1961.
• BuNo. 17188 crashed at Sentinel Range Antarctica on November 22, 1962.

• 17190 – C-117D airworthy with Lineas Aéreas Canedo in Cochabamba.{{cite web |last1=Prophet |first1=Michael |title=Lineas Aereas Canedo |url=http://www.michaelprophet.com/LAC.html |website=Vintage Aviation Pictures |access-date=10 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-117D, s/n 17190 USN, c/n 12979 {2}, c/r CP-2421 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=72131 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=10 January 2022}}

• 17191 – C-117D in storage at the Egill Olafsson Museum in Hnjotur, Vesturbyggð.{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-117D, s/n 17191 USN, c/n 12980 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=69111 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=10 January 2022}}

• 17221 – LC-47H on display at the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society in Christchurch.{{cite web |title=Douglas LC-47H |url=http://www.ferrymeadaero.org.nz/about/douglas-lc-47h-17221 |website=Ferrymead Aeronautical Society |access-date=14 October 2024}}

• 12343 – C-117D stored at El Paso INTL airport https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=44009
• 12437 – C-117D on display at Northwest Regional Airport near Roanoke, Texas.{{cite web |last1=Mozey |first1=Len |title=Douglas R4D-8 Super Skytrooper |url=http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/Transports/R4D8/R4D8.htm |website=Blue Angels Alumni |access-date=10 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-117D, s/n 12437 USN, c/n 09620, c/r N44GH {1} |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=161092 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=10 January 2022}}
• 39080 – C-117D airworthy with MES in Anchorage, Alaska.{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-117D, s/n 39080 USMC, c/n 10207, c/r N28TN |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=58951 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=10 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=FAA Registry [N28TN] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N28TN |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=10 January 2022}}
• 04122 – C-117D in storage with TransNorthern https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=54543
• 50821 – C-117D on static display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.{{cite web |title=C-117D Skytrain |url=https://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/aircraft/c-117d-skytrain |website=National Naval Aviation Museum |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703194816/https://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/aircraft/c-117d-skytrain |archive-date=3 July 2019}}{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-117D, s/n 50821 USN, c/n 15431 |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=41347 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=10 January 2022}}
• 50826 – C-117D on static display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.{{cite web |title=Douglas R4D-8 (C-117D) Super Gooneybird |url=http://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/douglas-r4d-8 |website=Pima Air & Space Museum |access-date=10 January 2022}}
• 50835 – C-117D on static display at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Douglas C-117D, s/n 50835 USMC, c/n 26998, c/r N835TD |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=51237 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=10 January 2022}}

File:Douglas R4D-8 silhouette.png

{{Aircraft specs

|ref={{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

|title=

|prime units?=imp

|crew=4 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator)

|capacity=21-32

|length ft=67|length in=9

|span ft=90

|height ft=18|height in=3

|wing area sqft=969

|airfoil=

|empty weight lb=19537|max takeoff weight lb=31000

|fuel capacity={{cvt|1330|USgal|impgal l}}

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=Wright R-1820-80 Cyclone|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines

|eng1 hp=1475

|prop blade number=3|prop name=constant-speed propellers|prop dia ft=|prop dia in=

|max speed mph=270

|max speed note=at {{cvt|5900|ft}}

|cruise speed mph=250

|range miles=2500

|ferry range miles=3042

|ceiling ft=22500

|climb rate ftmin=1300

|wing loading lb/sqft=32

|power/mass=10.5 lb/hp (4.8 kg/hp){{Cite book|last=Francillon|first=René J.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19645408|title=McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920|date=1988|publisher=Putnam|isbn=0851778275|location=London|oclc=19645408|page=436}}

}}

File:C-117Ds flying over MCAS Iwakuni 1981.JPEG|C-117Ds flying over MCAS Iwakuni 1981. One of these aircraft is now on display at MCAS Miramar.

File:50826 Douglas DC-3 ( C-117D ) United States Marines (8739069156).jpg|A C-117D at the Pima Air & Space Museum.

File:A C-117 Skytrain aircraft, piloted by MAJ Gerald Banner, executive officer of Marine Corps Air Facility, Quantico, takes off on its final flight. The aircraft is being retired from - DPLA - d6d3c78a5f6e831956faaf2b7e9e7f60.jpeg|The final flight of a USMC C-117D in 1992. This aircraft is now on display at MCAS Cherry Point.

File:US Navy 020916-N-9958S-003 Navy C-117 Gooneybird is dismantled for future museum display.jpg|A C-117D being moved from NAS Keflavik to the Aviation Museum of Iceland.

File:The Boneyard Project - Pima Air & Space Museum (12958441255).jpg|C-117s at the Pima Air & Space Museum.

File:R4D-8L of VX-6 near Beardmore Glacier 1961.jpg|A LC-117D "Semper Shafters USMC" with ski landing gear and weather radar in the nose near the Beardmore Glacier, Antarctica, 1961.

File:N28TN (42997547210).jpg|A Trans Northern Aviation Super DC-3.

File:2014-05-07 09-42-20 Iceland - Vík Vík í Mýrdal.jpg|US Navy C-117D Sólheimasandur Iceland Crash.

{{Portal|Aviation}}

{{aircontent

|related=

• Basler BT-67
• Douglas AC-47 Spooky
• Douglas C-47 Skytrain
• Douglas DC-2
• Douglas DC-3
• Lisunov Li-2
• Showa/Nakajima L2D
• Conroy Turbo-Three
• Conroy Tri-Turbo-Three

|similar aircraft=

• Curtiss C-46 Commando
• Douglas DC-5
• Saab 90 Scandia
• Vickers VC.1 Viking

|lists=

• List of aircraft of World War II
• List of civil aircraft

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

• Davis, Larry. C-47 Skytrain in action. Carrollton: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1995. {{ISBN|0897473299}}.
• Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920. London: Putnam & Company, 1979. {{ISBN|0370000501}}.
• Herman, Arthur. Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II. New York: Random House, 2012. {{ISBN|978-1400069644}}.
• Parker, Dana T. Building Victory: Aircraft Manufacturing in the Los Angeles Area in World War II. Cypress, California: Dana Parker Enterprises, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0989790604}}.

{{Commons category|Douglas R4D-8/C-117D}}

• [https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/douglas-r4d-8/ Douglas R4D-8 (C-117D) Super Gooneybird.]
• [http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_douglas_R4D-8.html Douglas R4D-8 (Super DC-3).]
• [http://www.dc3history.org/dc3super.html Super DC-3.]

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E1BRtypbXc Douglas R4D-8 JATO Takeoff And Landing, Antarctica, 1961]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFlhdD8KBvg Grounded R4D-8 Walkaround, Northwest Regional Airport, Texas]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X38BmnEWmpw Lineas Aereas Canedo C-117D, Bolivia]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7m8wzJJ6sI Lineas Aereas Canedo C-117D, Bolivia]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN7CCuk1_Es Trans Northern Aviation Super DC-3 Takeoff, Alaska]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erxrtbcBuO8 Trans Northern Aviation Super DC-3, Alaska]

{{Douglas aircraft}}

{{Douglas DC-3 family}}

{{USAF transports}}

{{USN transports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Douglas R4D-8}}

Category:1950s United States military transport aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1949

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft

R4D-8

Category:Douglas DC-3

Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear