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Douglas C-47 Skytrain

Douglas · Transport · USA · WWII (1939–1945)

Douglas C-47 Skytrain — Transport
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The Douglas C-47 Skytrain (RAF designation Dakota; Soviet designation Lisunov Li-2 for licence-built variant) was the U.S. Army Air Forces' principal transport aircraft of WWII and arguably the most-important transport aircraft of the 20th century. Douglas built about 10,000 C-47s between 1941 and 1945; another 4,937 were built under licence as Lisunov Li-2 in the Soviet Union. The C-47 dropped paratroopers on D-Day (1,200 C-47s flew on the 6 June 1944 Normandy landings), supplied the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949), flew the China-Burma-India "Hump" route over the Himalayas, and continued in front-line military service into the 1990s with several smaller air forces.

The C-47 was a militarised Douglas DC-3 airliner — same Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engines (1,200 hp each), same wing, same fuselage cross-section, but with strengthened cargo floor, large double-cargo door on the port side, and military avionics. Maximum speed 224 mph; range 1,600 miles; service ceiling 26,400 ft. Cargo capacity: 6,000 lb / 28 troops / 14 stretcher cases. The aircraft's rugged construction and forgiving handling made it almost immortal in in-service use; many C-47s remained in service for 50-70 years.

Combat use spanned every theatre and most major operations. D-Day paratroop drop (1,200 C-47s, 6 June 1944), Operation Market Garden (Arnhem, September 1944), Operation Varsity (Rhine crossing, March 1945), all the Pacific airborne operations, and the Hump route over the Himalayas (700,000 tonnes of supplies delivered to China 1942-1945). Post-war, C-47s flew the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949), Korean War (1950-1953), and Vietnam War (1962-1975, including the AC-47 Spooky gunship variant which scored about 6,000 ground-target kills 1965-1969).

The C-47 / DC-3 family is among the longest-serving aircraft types in history. About 200 C-47/DC-3s remain in active commercial or military service in 2026, mostly with smaller air forces (Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico) and bush operators in Canada, Africa, and South America. About 200 airworthy C-47s exist in 2026 as warbirds and historical aircraft, including the daily-flying Western Aerospace Museum's Whiskey 7, the Commemorative Air Force's Tinker Belle, and dozens of others. The D-Day Squadron flew 38 C-47s across the Atlantic for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in June 2019.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The C-47 Skytrain was the U.S. military version of the famous Douglas DC-3 airliner. The C-47 entered service in 1941 and became one of the most-important airplanes of World War II. General Eisenhower called the C-47 one of the four most important weapons of the war.

The C-47 looks identical to a DC-3 from the outside. Same two engines, same body shape, same length — 64 feet, longer than two school buses. But the C-47 had bigger cargo doors, a reinforced floor, and could be configured for paratroop drops, cargo flights, or hauling wounded soldiers.

About 10,048 C-47s were built between 1941 and 1945. They dropped paratroopers on D-Day (June 6, 1944), flew supplies over the Himalayas (called "the Hump") to Allied forces in China, and helped evacuate soldiers from many battlefields. C-47s also delivered fuel and ammunition to advancing Allied forces in Europe.

After WWII, surplus C-47s flooded the civilian market — many became airliners and cargo carriers worldwide. C-47s served the American military until the 1970s.

About 200 C-47s and DC-3s still fly today — many in commercial service in Alaska, Canada, Africa, and other remote areas. The British called the C-47 the "Dakota."

Fun Facts

  • The C-47 Skytrain was the military version of the famous Douglas DC-3 airliner.
  • About 10,048 C-47s were built between 1941 and 1945.
  • C-47s dropped paratroopers on D-Day (June 6, 1944).
  • Eisenhower called the C-47 one of the four most important weapons of WWII.
  • The British called the C-47 the "Dakota" — still used in Commonwealth countries today.
  • C-47s flew supplies over the Himalayas to China during WWII — pilots called this route "the Hump."
  • About 200 C-47s and DC-3s still fly today — many in remote areas like Alaska.

Kids’ Questions

What was "the Hump"?

"The Hump" was the WWII air route from India to China, flying over the Himalaya mountains. Allied forces needed to supply China after Japan cut off all land routes in 1942. The only way to deliver supplies was by air, over the highest mountains in the world. C-47s and C-46s flew the route — dangerous because of bad weather, thin air, no radio aids, and Japanese fighters. About 600,000 tons of supplies were carried over the Hump, but 1,659 aircraft were lost. The route is still studied as one of the most-dangerous air supply operations in history.

Why is the C-47 still flying after 80 years?

The C-47/DC-3 was built before designers worried much about weight. It's heavy, simple, and over-engineered. Most parts can be repaired with hand tools. The body uses thick aluminum sheets that resist corrosion. The two engines are reliable and easy to maintain. For carrying cargo or people to small dirt airstrips, the C-47 still has no real competition — it can take off from short rough runways that modern jets cannot. As long as someone needs a tough, simple cargo plane in remote areas, the C-47 has a job.

Variants

C-47 / C-47A / C-47B (USAAF)
Standard production. C-47B variant (1944-1945) had high-altitude superchargers for the Hump route. About 10,000 built across all USAAF sub-variants.
Dakota I-IV (RAF / Commonwealth)
British and Commonwealth Lend-Lease variants. About 1,900 delivered. RAF Transport Command, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Lisunov Li-2 (Soviet licence)
Soviet licence-built variant. About 4,937 built between 1939 and 1953 at the Kazan and Tashkent plants. Used Soviet ASh-62 radial engines instead of R-1830.
AC-47 Spooky / Puff (Vietnam War gunship)
Gunship conversion 1965. Three side-firing 7.62 mm Miniguns plus flares for night close-air support. About 53 conversions; scored ~6,000 ground-target kills in Vietnam 1965-1969.

Notable Operators

U.S. Army Air Forces / U.S. Air Force
Largest user. Combat in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War. Final USAF retirement (AC-47 gunships) was 1969; some C-47s continued in Air Reserve and ANG units into the 1970s.
Royal Air Force / Commonwealth air forces
About 1,900 Dakota I-IV. Continued post-war service into the 1970s with RAF Transport Command and Commonwealth nations. Final retirement in some smaller members through the 1980s.
Smaller and civilian operators (200+ airframes still active)
Approximately 200 C-47/DC-3s remain in commercial or military service in 2026, mostly with smaller Latin American air forces (Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico) and bush operators in Canada, Africa, and South America.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many C-47s flew on D-Day?

Approximately 1,200 C-47s flew paratroop and glider-tow missions on the 6 June 1944 Normandy landings. The C-47s dropped the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the British 6th Airborne Division behind enemy lines. About 41 C-47s were lost on D-Day, mostly to German anti-aircraft fire over the drop zones.

Is the C-47 the same as the DC-3?

Almost — the C-47 is a militarised version of the Douglas DC-3 airliner. Same engines, same wing, same fuselage cross-section. Differences: strengthened cargo floor, large double-cargo door, military avionics, paratroop static-line attachments. Most C-47 airframes were converted back to civil DC-3 configuration after WWII for surplus airline use.

Are C-47s still in active service?

Yes — about 200 C-47/DC-3s remain in commercial or military service in 2026, mostly with smaller Latin American air forces and remote-area bush operators. The aircraft's rugged construction and forgiving handling let it serve for 50-70 years; many late-WWII C-47s have been continuously flying for over 80 years.

What is the AC-47 Spooky?

A Vietnam War gunship conversion of the C-47. Three side-firing 7.62 mm Miniguns (1,500-3,000 rpm each) fired through doorways and removable side panels at ground targets while the aircraft circled overhead. Plus parachute flares for night illumination. About 53 conversions flown 1965-1969; scored about 6,000 ground-target kills. Successor: the AC-130 Spectre/Spooky II gunship family that continues in USAF service today.

How many C-47s were built?

About 10,000 by Douglas in the U.S. between 1941 and 1945, plus 4,937 Lisunov Li-2 licence-built in the Soviet Union 1939-1953. Combined family production exceeds 16,000 airframes — making the C-47/DC-3 family one of the most-produced multi-engine aircraft in history.

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