DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 Model Guide
DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 · Model Guide
Overview
DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 is a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane with retractable main landing gear, built by Douglas as a cargo, ambulance or troop transport. The C-117 versions are personnel transports. It has two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engines. The only numbers come from a 1963 USAF flight manual and a flight-simulator checklist.
- Twin-engine, low-wing, retractable main gear, two 14-cylinder air-cooled radials (R-1830-90C, -90D or -92 depending on version).
- Design gross weight is 26,000 lbs, per the flight manual. A simulator sheet lists max total weight at 31,000 lbs.
- Cabin: folding benches for 27 or 28 troops, or 21 reclining airliner seats in the C-117 series.
- Engine and supercharger fit varies by aircraft, so confirm which engine and blower setup a candidate has.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 48 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Performance
- Climb speed max (kt) ·
- 130
- Climb speed min (kt) ·
- 120
- Tail lift speed (kt) ·
- 40
- Threshold speed (kt) ·
- 85
- Landing descent rate (fpm) ·
- 200
V-speeds
- ROTATE_SPEED_KTS ·
- 85
- TOUCHDOWN_SPEED_KTS ·
- 85
- MAX_GEAR_DOWN_SPEED_KTS ·
- 126
- MAX_FLAPS_HALF_SPEED_KTS ·
- 99
- MAX_FLAPS_QUARTER_SPEED_KTS ·
- 135
- MAX_FLAPS_THREE_QUARTER_OR_FULL_SPEED_KTS ·
- 97
Weight & balance
- Max total weight (lb) ·
- 31,000
- Max landing weight (lb) ·
- 25,350
- Design gross weight (lb) ·
- 26,000
How many people can the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 carry?
The flight manual says the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 troop versions have folding benches for 27 or 28 passengers. C-117 versions have 21 reclining seats and one folding steward seat.
What engines does it use?
The DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 uses two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radials: the -90C, -90D or -92, depending on version. The -90C has a 2-speed supercharger.
What weights apply?
For the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47, the flight manual gives a design gross weight of 26,000 lbs. The simulator sheet lists max total weight at 31,000 lbs and max landing weight at 25,350 lbs. Verify the real limits for the aircraft you are looking at.
What is the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 Model Guide?
The DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 Model Guide is a model guide for the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47, dated 2026.
What year was the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 Model Guide published?
The DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 Model Guide — the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47manuals & documents
In this document
What it is and what it carries
The flight manual describes the C-47 series and R4D series as cargo, ambulance or troop transports. The C-117 series are personnel transports. Troop versions have folding benches for 27 or 28 passengers. C-117 cabins have 21 reclining seats in seven rows of three, plus a buffet and lavatory. Crew accommodations are listed for pilot, co-pilot, radio operator, loadmaster, navigator and flight mechanic.
Engines and systems to inspect
Power is two 14-cylinder, twin-row, air-cooled Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C, -90D or -92 radials. The -90C has a 2-speed supercharger, and on some aircraft the high blower is inoperative. Three carburetor air systems exist: ram, ram-filtered and ram-nonram filtered. Check the carb heat, mixture (IDLE CUT-OFF, AUTO-LEAN, AUTO-RICH) and magnetic chip detector warning lights.
Speeds and handling reference
The simulator checklist gives rotate and touchdown at 85 KIAS, with the tail lifted at 40 kts. Climb is 120-130 KIAS at 2350 RPM. Maximum speeds are 135 KIAS with flaps 1/4, 126 KIAS gear down, 99 KIAS flaps 1/2, and 97 KIAS flaps 3/4 or full. The tailwheel is locked for takeoff and landing and unlocked for taxi.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- The checklist is marked 'modified for use with Flight Simulator'. Do not treat its speeds and weights as real-aircraft limits. Use the aircraft's own approved manual.
- The flight manual says unusual configurations, such as asymmetrical loading, are prohibited unless specifically covered.
- Check the status of Safety of Flight Supplements; current ones must be complied with.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 Model Guide DOUGLAS DC-3/C-47 is a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane with retractable main landing gear, built by Douglas as a cargo, ambulance or troop transport. The C-117 versions are personnel transports. It has two Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engines. The only numbers come from a 1963 USAF flight manual and a flight-simulator checklist. • Twin-engine, low-wing, retractable main gear, two 14-cylinder air-cooled radials (R-1830-90C, -90D or -92 depending on version). • Design gross weight is 26,000 lbs, per the flight manual. A simulator sheet lists max total weight at 31,000 lbs. • Cabin: folding benches for 27 or 28 troops, or 21 reclining airliner seats in the C-117 series. • Engine and supercharger fit varies by aircraft, so confirm which engine and blower setup a candidate has. What it is and what it carries The flight manual describes the C-47 series and R4D series as cargo, ambulance or troop transports. The C-117 series are personnel transports. Troop versions have folding benches for 27 or 28 passengers. C-117 cabins have 21 reclining seats in seven rows of three, plus a buffet and lavatory. Crew accommodations are listed for pilot, co-pilot, radio operator, loadmaster, navigator and flight mechanic. Engines and systems to inspect Power is two 14-cylinder, twin-row, air-cooled Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90C, -90D or -92 radials. The -90C has a 2-speed supercharger, and on some aircraft the high blower is inoperative. Three carburetor air systems exist: ram, ram-filtered and ram-nonram filtered. Check the carb heat, mixture (IDLE CUT-OFF, AUTO-LEAN, AUTO-RICH) and magnetic chip detector warning lights. Speeds and handling reference The simulator checklist gives rotate and touchdown at 85 KIAS, with the tail lifted at 40 kts. Climb is 120-130 KIAS at 2350 RPM. Maximum speeds are 135 KIAS with flaps 1/4, 126 KIAS gear down, 99 KIAS flaps 1/2, and 97 KIAS flaps 3/4 or full. The tailwheel is locked for takeoff and landing and unlocked for taxi. Safety notes: • The checklist is marked 'modified for use with Flight Simulator'. Do not treat its speeds and weights as real-aircraft limits. Use the aircraft's own approved manual. • The flight manual says unusual configurations, such as asymmetrical loading, are prohibited unless specifically covered. • Check the status of Safety of Flight Supplements; current ones must be complied with.