R4D-4 Skytrain

The Douglas R4D-4 Skytrain was the United States Navy’s designation for the military version of the civilian DC‑3 transport, produced from 1942 through the end of World War II. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, the R4D‑4 incorporated a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R‑1830‑94 Twin Wasp engine rated at 1,200 hp, a reinforced airframe, and upgraded avionics that allowed operation in harsh combat environments. Over 1,300 airframes were delivered, serving as cargo haulers, troop carriers, and medical evacuation platforms across the Pacific and European theaters. Its robust design featured a high‑mounted wing, fixed landing gear, and a spacious fuselage capable of carrying up to 28 fully equipped soldiers or 6,000 lb of freight. The aircraft’s reliability, short‑field performance, and ease of maintenance made it indispensable for island‑hopping campaigns, where it delivered supplies to forward bases lacking paved runways. After the war, many R4D‑4s were transferred to civilian airlines and foreign militaries, extending their service life into the 1960s. The Skytrain’s legacy endures as a cornerstone of transport aviation, influencing the development of modern turboprop airliners and cementing the DC‑3 family’s reputation as one of the most versatile aircraft ever built.

Douglas

Classification

Design & Classification