IATA D3FICAO DC3

Douglas DC-3

Douglas

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The aircraft that changed the world of air travel.

First flight

1935

Category

Piston airliner

Seating

21–32

Range

2,400 km

Engines

Two piston radial engines (typically Pratt & Whitney R-1830 or Wright R-1820)

Status

In service

The Douglas DC-3 is one of the most significant and iconic aircraft in aviation history. Introduced in the mid-1930s, it was the first airliner to make commercial air travel financially viable without government mail subsidies, revolutionizing the industry. Its combination of speed, range, payload, and reliability made it the dominant airliner of its era. During World War II, the DC-3 was produced in vast numbers as the C-47 Skytrain (military transport variant), serving Allied forces in virtually every theater of operations for troop transport, cargo, and medical evacuation. Tens of thousands were built across the United States and under license in the Soviet Union and Japan. Decades after its 1935 introduction, DC-3s continue to fly in small numbers around the world, a testament to the aircraft's rugged durability. Some operate as freighters, tourist aircraft, or skydiving platforms. No other aircraft type has enjoyed such a long operational lifespan in such widespread service.

Notable operators

American Airlines, United Airlines, and TWA were early major operators; military variants served with the USAAF, RAF, and many Allied air forces during WWII.

Notable facts

›Over 16,000 DC-3s and military variants were built between 1936 and 1945.
›The DC-3 was the first airliner to generate profit from passenger traffic alone.
›Military versions were designated C-47 Skytrain (USAAF) and Dakota (RAF).
›Soviet license-built versions were known as the Lisunov Li-2.
›Some DC-3s still in active service today are over 80 years old.

Read more on Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.

Encyclopaedia

The Douglas DC-3 is a propeller-driven airliner that was manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It had a lasting effect on the airline industry from the 1930s through World War II. It was developed as a larger, improved, 14-bed sleeper version of the Douglas DC-2. It is a low-wing metal monoplane with conventional landing gear, powered by two radial piston engines of 1,000–1,200 hp (750–890 kW). Although the DC-3s originally built for civil service had the Wright R-1820 Cyclone, later civilian DC-3s used the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine. The DC-3 has a cruising speed of 207 mph (333 km/h), a capacity of 21 to 32 passengers or 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) of cargo, and a range of 1,500 mi (2,400 km); it can operate from short runways.

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