R3D-3

The Douglas R3D-3 was a naval variant of the Douglas DC‑3, adapted in the early 1940s for service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Developed from the proven DC‑3 airframe, the R3D-3 incorporated a reinforced fuselage, a large cargo door, and provisions for a removable passenger cabin, allowing the aircraft to transport troops, equipment, and supplies across the Pacific theater. Power was provided by two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines delivering 1,200 horsepower each, delivering a cruising speed of roughly 190 knots and a range of about 2,000 nautical miles. The aircraft featured strengthened landing gear with arrestor hooks for carrier operations, as well as a navigation suite that included a radio compass and early radar. Over 400 R3D-3s were built, serving as the workhorse of naval transport squadrons throughout World II and the early Cold War. Its reliability, versatility, and ease of maintenance set a benchmark for military cargo aircraft and helped shape the logistics doctrine of carrier‑based forces. The R3D-3’s legacy endures in modern maritime transport aircraft, which trace their design philosophy back to the robust Douglas solution.