Douglas R4D-8
military transport aircraft
The Douglas R4D-8 (later redesignated C-117D) is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3S (Super DC-3) airliner. It was used by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and Vietnam War.
Design and development
During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo, and wounded. The US Navy designation was R4D. More than 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Between March 1943 and August 1945, the Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s.
Super DC-3
Large numbers of DC-3s and surplus C-47s were in commercial use in the 1940s. In response to proposed changes to the Civil Air Regulations airworthiness requirements that would restrict use of these aircraft, Douglas offered a conversion to improve takeoff and single-engine performance.
The fuselage of the DC-3S or "Super DC-3", was strengthened and lengthened by 3 ft 3 in (0.99 m) ahead of the wings. The wing center section remained the same but the outer wing panels had a 4° trailing edge sweep and squared-off wingtips that reduced the wingspan by 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m). There was also a new square tail fin with a large dorsal fillet that was 1 ft (0.30 m) taller than the DC-3's to compensate for the increased torque from more powerful engines.
“Douglas R4D-8” enters the record as military transport aircraft. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Douglas, R4D-8 and military can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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