R4D-2 Skytrain

The R4D‑2 Skytrain was the United States Navy’s designation for the Douglas DC‑3 transport that entered service in the early 1940s. Derived from the civilian DC‑3, the R4D‑2 featured a reinforced floor, larger cargo doors and a removable passenger interior that allowed rapid conversion between troop carrier, cargo freighter and medical evacuation roles. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑1830 Twin Wasp radial engines delivering 1,200 horsepower each, the aircraft could cruise at 180 mph, carry up to 27,000 lb of payload, and operate from short, unpaved airstrips—qualities that proved indispensable in the Pacific theatre. First deployed during World War II, R4D‑2s delivered supplies to remote islands, evacuated wounded personnel, and supported amphibious assaults such as the Solomon Islands campaign. After the war the type continued in service with the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, transitioning to peacetime duties that included Antarctic supply missions and hurricane‑relief flights. The R4D‑2’s durability, versatility and straightforward maintenance set a standard for military transport aircraft, influencing later designs like the C‑130 Hercules and cementing the DC‑3 family’s legacy as a cornerstone of twentieth‑century aviation. Over 3,600 DC‑3 airframes were built, and roughly 700 were delivered to the Navy as R4D variants, including the R4D‑2. The aircraft’s simple aluminum airframe, robust landing gear and generous fuel capacity allowed it to log more than 40,000 flight hours without major redesign. Its legacy endures in civilian preservation, with several R4D‑2s displayed in museums worldwide, symbolizing the transformative impact of reliable transport on modern warfare.