Douglas C-47 Skytrain - Variants

Variants

C-47

Initial military version of the DC-3 with seats for 27 troops, 965 built including 12 to the United States Navy as R4D-1

C-47A

C-47 with a 24-volt electrical system, 5,254 built including USN aircraft designated R4D-5

RC-47A

C-47A equipped for photographic reconnaissance and ELINT missions

SC-47A

C-47A equipped for Search Air Rescue; redesignated HC-47A in 1962

VC-47A

C-47A equipped for VIP transport role

C-47B

Powered by R-1830-90 engines with superchargers and extra fuel capacity to cover the China-Burma-India routes, 3,364 built

VC-47B

C-47B equipped for VIP transport role

XC-47C

C-47 tested with Edo Model 78 floats for possible use as a seaplane

C-47D

C-47B with superchargers removed after the war

AC-47D

Gunship aircraft with three side-firing .30 in (7.62 mm) Minigun machine guns

EC-47D

C-47D with equipment for the Electronics Calibration, of which 26 were so converted by Hayes in 1953; prior to 1962 was designated AC-47D

NC-47D

C-47D modified for test roles

RC-47D

C-47D equipped for photographic reconnaissance and ELINT missions

SC-47D

C-47D equipped for Search Air Rescue; redesignated HC-47D in 1962

VC-47D

C-47D equipped for VIP transport role

C-47E

Modified cargo variant with space for 27–28 passengers or 18–24 litters

C-47F

YC-129 re-designated, Super DC-3 prototype for evaluation by USAF later passed to USN as XR4D-8

C-47L/M

C-47H/Js equipped for the support of American Legation United States Naval Attache (ALUSNA) and Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) missions

EC-47N/P/Q

C-47A and D aircraft modified for ELINT/ARDF mission, N and P differ in radio bands covered, while Q replaces analog equipment found on the N and P with a digital suite, redesigned antenna equipment and uprated engines

C-47R

One C-47M modified for high altitude work, specifically for missions in Ecuador

C-47T

Designation applied to aircraft modified to a Basler BT-67 standard

C-47TP Turbo Dakota

Refit with modern turboprop engines and fuselage stretch for the South African Air Force

C-53 Skytrooper

Troop transport version of the C-47

XC-53A Skytrooper

One aircraft with full-span slotted flaps and hot-air leading edge deicing

C-53B Skytrooper

Winterised version of C-53 with extra fuel capacity and separate navigator's station, eight built

C-53C Skytrooper

C-53 with larger port-side door, 17 built

C-53D Skytrooper

C-53C with 24V DC electrical system, 159 built

C-117A Skytrooper

C-47B with 24-seat airline-type interior for staff transport use, 16 built

VC-117A

Three redesignated C-117s used in the VIP role

SC-117A

One C-117C converted for air-sea rescue

C-117B/VC-117B

High-altitude superchargers removed, one built and conversions from C-117As all later VC-117B

C-117D

USN/USMC R4D-8 redesignated

LC-117D

USN/USMC R4D-8L redesignated

TC-117D

USN/USMC R4D-8T redesignated

VC-117D

USN R4D-8Z redesignated

YC-129

Super DC-3 prototype for evaluation by USAF redesignated C-47F and later passed to USN as XR4D-8

CC-129

Canadian Forces designation for the C-47 (post-1970)

XCG-17

One C-47 tested as a 40-seat troop glider with engines removed and faired over

R4D-1 Skytrain

USN/USMC version of the C-47

R4D-3

Twenty C-53Cs transferred to USN

R4D-5

C-47A variant 24-volt electrical system replacing the 12-volt of the C-47; redesignated C-47H in 1962, 238 transferred from USAF

R4D-5L

R4D-5 for use in Antarctica. Redesignated LC-47H in 1962

R4D-5Q

R4D-5 for use as special ECM trainer. Redesignated EC-47H in 1962

R4D-5R

R4D-5 for use as a personnel transport for 21 passengers and as a trainer aircraft; redesignated TC-47H in 1962

R4D-5S

R4D-5 for use as a special ASW trainer; redesignated SC-47H in 1962

R4D-5Z

R4D-5 for use as a VIP transport; redesignated VC-47H in 1962

R4D-6

157 C-47Bs transferred to USN; redesignated C-47J in 1962

R4D-6L, Q, R, S, and Z

Variants as the R4D-5 series; redesignated LC-47J, EC-47J, TC-47J, SC-47J, and VC-47J respectively in 1962

R4D-7

44 TC-47Bs transferred from USAF for use as a navigational trainer; redesignated TC-47K in 1962

R4D-8

R4D-5 and R4D-6 aircraft fitted with modified wings and re-designed tail surfaces; redesignated C-117D in 1962

R4D-8L

R4D-8 converted for Antarctic use, redesignated LC-117D in 1962

R4D-8T

R4D-8 converted as crew trainers, redesignated TC-117D in 1962

R4D-8Z

R4D-8 converted as a staff transport, redesignated VC-117D in 1962