Kraków 2021-09-24
Douglas C-47 Dakota.
After the US joined the Second World War, the military commandeered many aircraft, including Douglas DC-3. The planes were adapted to military needs. The production of DC-3 aircraft was also switched to the versions needed by the military. Mainly transport planes were built. The C-47 "Skytrain" transport planes were most commonly used, but there were also: C-48, C-49, C-50, C-51, C-68.
The planes that were delivered to Great Britain were called "Dakota". "Dakota" is the acronym for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft - DACoTA. Since these planes in Great Britain were also used by Polish pilots, the name of Douglas DC-3 "Dakota" was attached to the planes.
The C-47 "Skytrain" was used as a transport plane, landing plane, tugboat for transport gliders, and also as a bomber under the designation B-23. The planes were produced not only in Santa Monica, but also in Oklahoma City and Long Island. In 1944, at its peak of production, 13 aircraft were built a day. Production of the DC-3 aircraft ended in Santa Monica in 1946. In total, 10,654 aircraft were built in the USA, more than 4,000 Li-2 aircraft (1939-1952) were built in the CCCP, and 485 aircraft were built in Japan.
The Dakota was the most widely used aircraft during the entire Second World War. For us Poles, he was a link between the occupied country and the Free West. In 1944, planes took part in Operation Widhorn, nicknamed the Bridge by the Home Army.
After the war, airplanes were used by civilian airlines until the 1960s. Cheap and large supply of spare parts contributed to long operation. The planes were used in about 90 countries.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain.
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain was flown on December 23, 1941. The standard propulsion of the aircraft was two engines, a double star, Pratt & Whitney R-1830 with a capacity of 2 × 1,200 hp (2 × 895 kW).
Data T-T Douglas C-47 Skytrain:
Span 28.96 m. Length 19.64 m. Height 5.18 m. Bearing area 91.80 square meters. Curb weight 7 460 kg. Gross weight is 11 260 kg. Top speed of 325 km / h. Cruising speed 290 km / h. Range 2 400 km.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman