SAAM - Douglas C-47 Dakota (A65-114)

 

Centrepiece of the Museum's collection this aircraft is accessible to the public. This example A65-114 served with the RAAF from 1945 mainly as a VIP aircraft, and has flown such dignitaries as Ben Chifley, Sir Robert Menzies, Sir Douglas Mawson, and Sir William Slim.

The aircraft is displayed in the colours of the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) based at RAAF Edinburgh where it operated until 1986.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States of America.

DESCRIPTION: 21 Passenger Transport plane

WINGSPAN: 28.9m (95').

LENGTH: 19.7m (64'6").

HEIGHT: 5.2m (17').

MAX SPEED: 346kph (215mph).

POWERPLANT: Two 1200hp Pratt and Whitney R1830 Twin Wasp 14 cylinder air-cooled radial Engine.

 


(Click image to see a larger version)


(Click image to see a larger version)

 

HISTORY: Call it what you will, Dakota, DC-3, Gooney bird biscuit bomber, the C-47 is probably the most famous aircraft in the history of aviation.

A development of the DC-2, the DC-3 was originally a 21 seat airliner that heralded a new age in passenger comfort when it first flew in 1935. But it was as a military transport that the C-47 as it became known, gained immortality.

 

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