R3D-2

The Douglas R3D‑2 was the United States Navy’s naval‑service version of the legendary DC‑3 transport, produced from 1941 through the end of World II. Developed from the civilian DC‑3 and Army C‑47, the R3D‑2 incorporated strengthened landing gear, a larger vertical stabilizer, and a naval‑type radio suite that allowed operation from carriers and remote island airstrips. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑1830 Twin Wasp radials delivering 1,200 hp each, the low‑wing monoplane could cruise at 180 kt and carry up to 28 fully‑equipped troops, 6 000 lb of cargo, or a stretch of medical evacuation litters. Its wide, reinforced cargo door and folding‑seat interior made rapid loading and re‑configuration possible, while the rugged airframe tolerated rough field conditions and the harsh Pacific climate.

During the war the R3D‑2 flew supply missions, parachute drops, and evacuation flights across the South‑West Pacific, proving essential to the island‑hopping campaign. After hostilities it was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps and to civilian operators, where its reliability helped define the modern cargo‑airliner concept. The aircraft’s durability, ease of maintenance and versatile layout cemented its legacy as a cornerstone of mid‑century military and commercial aviation.