Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota (R4D, C-49, C-53)
Technical Information

Background
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. The C-47 was from the DC-3 airliner designed in 1936, one of America's most famous and widely used transports. Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47. Nicknamed "Skytrain" in U.S. Army service or "Dakota" in Commonwealth service. Popularly known as "Biscuit Bomber" or "Gooney Bird". In the Pacific, they were instrumental in supply and transport to remote islands, mountains and ocean. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and by the end of World War II, 9,348 were built. They carried personnel and cargo, and in a combat role, towed troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops.

R4D
The R4D was the designation for C-47 in U.S. Navy (USN) service.

R4D-1
The R4D-1 was the designation for twelve C-47s assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).

R4D-5
The R4D-5 was the designation for C-47A Dakotas transferred from the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) to the U.S. Navy (USN). In 1962, the remaining aircraft were redesignated as C-47H.

C-49
Designation given to 138 DC-3 with Wright R-1820 engines that were impressed into service from civilian airlines and used by the U.S. Army as transports.

References
Allied Air Transport Operations SWPA in WWII - Vol One page 333:
"8 C-49s and 3 C-50s were assigned to the 21st TCS in late August 1942, yet only 10 actually delivered (VH-CDH never being taken up)."

C-53 Skytrooper
Built by Douglas at Santa Monica, CA with production starting in October 1941. The C-53 Skytrooper lacked the cargo door, hoist attachment and reinforced floor of the C-47. A total of 380 were built. About 219 paratroop versions were also built. They lacked the double doors and reinforced floor, and were fitted with metal seats for 28 paratroopers and an attachment point for a combat glider tow rope. C-53 deliveries preceded deliveries of the C-47, and it was closer in configuration to the Douglas DC-3.

Japanese License Built DC-3 (Navy Type 0 Transport / L2D Tabby)
The Showa/Nakajima L2D was a Japanese license-built version of Douglas DC-3. In February 1938 the Japanese signed a licensing agreement with the Douglas company for Showa/Nakajima to build a domestic versions of the DC-3 which was designated the Navy Type 0 Transport / L2D. At the time, the Douglas company was unaware that the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) intended to use them as military transport aircraft capable of transporting 21 passengers or 9,920 pounds / 4,500 kilograms of cargo. Allied code named "Tabby".

References
Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War (1987) pages 499-503

Technical Details
Crew  3 (pilot, co-pilot, radio operator)
Engine  2 x 1,200 hp Pratt and Whitney R-1830-90D
Span  95'
Length  64'4"
Height  16'10"
Cruise Speed  230 mph
Range  2,000 miles