R3D-1

The Douglas R3D‑1 was the United States Navy’s designation for the first batch of DC‑3 airliners adapted for military service in the early 1940s. Delivered beginning in 1941, the aircraft filled a critical gap in naval logistics, transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies across the vast Pacific theater. Structurally, the R3D‑1 retained the DC‑3’s all‑metal, low‑wing monoplane design, featuring a rugged welded‑steel fuselage, retractable main gear, and a spacious cabin that could be quickly re‑configured for cargo, troops, or medical evacuation. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑1830 Twin Wasp radials producing 1,200 hp each, it offered a cruising speed of 180 kt and a range exceeding 1,200 nm, attributes that proved indispensable for island‑hopping operations. Modifications for naval use included reinforced floors, a reinforced tailwheel for carrier deck handling, and the addition of optional defensive armament. The R3D‑1’s reliability and versatility helped establish the DC‑3 family as the “workhorse” of World War II, influencing post‑war commercial aviation and cementing Douglas’s reputation for durable transport aircraft. Its service legacy endures as a benchmark for adaptable military‑to‑civilian airframe conversion.