We have the C-47 in game already.
It has been modified with better looking engines, better interior, and better props.
It has been made into an awesome civilian passenger variants
it has been modified to drop bombs out of the side door.
Do you want to launch an R4D assisted with JATO's off a carrier and then land on real tricky ice fitted with special skies?
Here is an interesting variant, The R4D Skytrain.
The aircraft had specially fitted JATO equipment underneath the aircraft to give it more thrust. It was also fitted with special skis. The aircraft was also given a longer range with better fuel capacity.
This aircraft was used in Operation High Jump an Antarctic expedition carried out by the US Navy in 1947
Historical photos of the aircraft in operational use Operation High Jump.
PRODUCTION HISTORYR4D-1: The 101 DC-3A-360's were ordered in three different groups; 30 were ordered directly by the USN on16 September 1940, followed by an order for 33 more; these were delivered between February and October 1942. The next 34 were ordered by the USAAF as C-47-DLs and transferred to the USN between November 1942 and February 1943. The last aircraft was transferred from the Royal Air Force (RAF) to the USN in March 1946 for service with the U.S. Naval Attache in London, England. These aircraft, built at the Douglas Long Beach, California plant and powered by two 1,200 hp (894.8 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines, were cargo and passenger transports with a large cargo doors, on the port (left) side of the fuselage aft of the wing, a reinforced metal floor with tie-down fittings and a 12-volt electrical system. The cargo doors consisted of two large panels, the forward portion incorporating a standard passenger door; the dimensions of the cargo openings were 7 feet inch (2.146 meters) wide and 5 feet 10 inches (1.791 meters) high at the front and 4 feet 7 inches (1.41 meters) high at the rear. The interior had wooden seats folding against the sides of the cabin for 28-fully-armed paratroopers and fittings for 18-stretchers and a medical crew of three. The aircraft also had a glider-towing cleat in the tail. All were struck from the inventory by December 1949.
R4D-2: Two DC-3-388's originally ordered by Eastern Air Lines but completed for the USN and delivered in March and April 1941. These aircraft were built at the Douglas Santa Monica, California plant and lacked the reinforced floor of the R4D-1. Powered by two 1,200 hp (894.8 kW) Wright R-1820-71 nine-cylinder, single-row, air-cooled, radial engines, they were used as VIP transports; both were subsequently re-designated as flagships, R4D-2Fs and later R4D-2Zs. Since they were VIP transports, they had a standard airliner passenger door mounted aft of the wing on the port (left) side of the fuselage. They were struck from the inventory in May and December 1946. These aircraft were similar to the USAAFs C-49 series of impressed airliners.
R4D-2F: The two R4D-2's re-designated as flagship (VIP) aircraft.
R4D-2Z: The two R4D-2Fs re-designated as VIP transports in 1945.
R4D-3: Twenty DC-3A-405's, built at the Santa Monica, California plant, were ordered by the U.S.A.A.F as C-53-DOs and transferred to the USN between January and November 1942. Unlike the R4D-1, these aircraft were troop transports and as such had (1) a normal wooden floor instead of a reinforced metal floor, (2) a 26-inch (66.04 cm) wide door instead of the large cargo door, and (3) fixed metal seats for 28 fully-armed paratroopers. They also had a towing cleat for use as a glider-tug. Powered by two 1,200 hp (894.8 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines, these aircraft had a 12-volt electrical system. All were stricken from the inventory by December 1948.
R4D-4: Ten DC-3A-447's, originally ordered by Pan American World Airways but completed for the USN and delivered in December 1942 and January 1943, were built as personnel transports at the Santa Monica, California plant. As personnel transports, they had a standard airliner passenger door mounted aft of the wing on the port (left) side of the fuselage. Powered by 1,200 hp (894.8 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines, these aircraft were similar to the U.S.A.A.F's C-53C-DO. They were struck from the inventory between October1946 and March 1956.
R4D-4Q: One R4D-4 converted post World War II to radar countermeasures aircraft.
R4D-5: The 238 DC-3A-456's were ordered by the U.S.A.A.F as C-47A-DLs and transferred to the USN between March and November 1943. These aircraft, built at the Long Beach, California plant, were identical to the R4D-1 except being equipped with a 24-volt electrical system and improved cabin heating. In 1962, the remaining R4D-5's were re-designated C-47Hs.
R4D-5E: Unknown number of R4D-5's converted for special electronics operations.
R4D-5L:
At least six R4D-5's modified post World War II with extra fuel and higher gross weight for use in Antarctica. In 1962, the remaining aircraft were re-designated LC-47Hs.
R4D-5Q: At least four R4D-5's modified post World War II as electronic countermeasures (ECM) trainers with three crew, eleven students and an instructor. In 1962, the surviving aircraft were r-designated EC-47H.
R4D-5R: At least seven R4D-5's converted to a 21-seat passenger transport. Re-designated TC-47H in 1962.
R4D-5S: Unknown number of R4D-5's converted post World War II to antisubmarine warfare (ASW) trainers with space for nine students and one instructor. Re-designated SC-47H in 1962.
R4D-5T: Unknown number of R4D-5's converted to navigational trainers.
R4D-5Z: Unknown number of R4D-5's converted post World War II to VIP transports. Re-designated VC-47H in 1962.
We've got the plane and we now have the map (Neushwabenland)
Just a birthday request ( which I don't do very often )
Cheers Kirby
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Topic: Douglas R4D Skytrain (Read 3522 times)
