Douglas
Douglas NC-117D Skytrain
The Douglas NC-117D Skytrain, a variant of the legendary C‑47, entered service in the early 1940s as a military transport for the United States Army Air Forces. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, the NC‑117D retained the robust airframe of the DC‑3 but incorporated reinforced floor beams, a large 40‑foot cargo door, and upgraded avionics that allowed it to operate from rough, unimproved airstrips worldwide. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑1830‑92 radial engines delivering 1,200 hp each, the aircraft could haul up to 6,000 pounds of personnel, equipment, or medical supplies, and its range of roughly 1,800 miles made it indispensable for the airborne operations of World II, the Korean conflict, and subsequent humanitarian missions. The model’s reliability, simplicity of maintenance, and forgiving flight characteristics earned it a reputation as the workhorse of the Allied logistics chain, delivering troops to Normandy, supplying the Burma front, and later supporting post‑war reconstruction. The NC‑117D’s legacy endures; it demonstrated how a rugged, versatile transport could reshape strategic mobility, influencing future designs such as the C‑130 Hercules and establishing the Douglas Skytrain as an icon of military aviation history.
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Classification
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Douglas
- Nickname
- Skytrain
- Military Designation
- NC-117D
- Wikidata ID
- Q133933379