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[1982.054.001] Aircraft - 'C-117D (R4D-8) Skytrain' |
| Accession Number |
1982.054.001 |
| Accession Date |
17/08/1982 |
| Creator |
| Creator |
Creator Role |
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Manufacturer |
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| Date Created |
1944 |
| Object Desciption |
Navy air supported Antarctic Operation Highjump; on January 29th USS Philippine Sea launched 6 R4D transports to Little America. |
| Object Notes |
Accepted by the Navy on 2 December 1944, the museum's C-117D was initially designated an R4D-6 and first flew with Transport Squadron (VR) 3 during 1945 and 1946 before serving in aircraft pools at Naval Air Stations (NAS) Columbus, Ohio, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and South Weymouth, Massachusetts. Later converted to the R4D-8 configuration, the museum's aircraft flew throughout Europe as as a transport in Fleet Logistics Air Wing Atlantic during 1952 and 1953, its wheels touching down at such places as London, Naples, Madrid, Athens, and Rome. The aircraft's last assignment before arriving at the museum in 1982 was at the Naval Weapons Center (NWC) China Lake, California. |
| Notes |
In 1951, the Navy initiated a modernization program designed to convert ninety-eight early models of the R4D transport plane, which was based on the civilian DC-3, to the Super DC-3 configuration. Designated the R4D-8 (and called the C-117 after 1962), the advanced design featured new outer wing panels with modest sweepback, a longer and strengthened fuselage, enlarged tail unit, modified nacelles to enclose the undercarriage totally and up-rated R-1820 engines. As a result, the overall capability and performance factors were increased substantially. Affectionately known as the "Gooney Bird", the last Navy R4D was phased out of service in 1976.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company
Dimensions: Length: 63 ft., 6 in.; Height 17 ft.; Wingspan: 95 ft.
Weights: Empty: 16,578 lb.; Gross: 29,000 lb.
Power Plant: Two 1,200 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines
Performance: Maximum Speed: 227 M.P.H.; Service Ceiling: 22,500 ft.; Range: 1,975 miles
Armament: None
Crew: Two to five |
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