C-47 Skytrain
Characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Passengers: 10
- Length: 64 ft 6 in
- Wingspan: 95 ft
- Powerplant: 2 × P&W R-1830-92 Twin Wasp air cooled engines
- 2,400 horsepower (1,200 ea)
- Maximum speed: 226 mph
- Rated cruise speed: 140 mph
- Service ceiling: 26,400 ft
- Cargo Capacity: 28 paratroopers, 14 stretchers, or 10,000 lb.s of cargo
HISTORY
The Douglas built C-47 Skytrain (aka Dakota, aka “Gooney Bird”) was a superlative military aircraft and saw widespread use by every Allied service in every theater of WWII. The C-47, a modified DC-3, became famous for carrying paratroopers and towing gliders full of soldiers and heavy equipment into battle. The C-47 was used to deploy the first airborne troops in July 1943 when C-47s dropped almost 4,000 paratroopers into Sicily. In June 1944 more than 1,000 C-47s dropped paratroopers before and during the Normandy D-Day invasion. In 60 hours, C-47s alone airlifted more than 60,000 paratroopers and their equipment into Normandy.
In the Pacific, with careful use of the island landing strips of the Pacific Ocean, C-47s were even used for ferrying soldiers serving in the Pacific theater back to the United States. C-47s in British and Commonwealth service took the name Dakota.
Our C-47, “What’s Up Doc?” was built in either Tulsa or Oklahoma City, OK, and was delivered to RAF (UK) Squadron 187 in March, 1945. Later assignments include: Belgium-1949; French Air Force-1952; Israeli Air Force- 1967-1997. It was surplused in 2001 and purchased by Cascade Air.
Palm Springs Air Museum acquired the aircraft from Cascade Air in October 2003, and it has been a mainstay of the museum and Warbird Ride program ever since!
Book your C-47 ride now!
If you are booking a ride in the C-47 Skytrain, we ask that you do so with some flexibility in your schedule. In an effort to maximize time/cost efficiency, we will always try to fill all 10 seats for a flight. Flights need a minimum of 5 seats sold to go up. Please be mindful of this when you are booking seats. We may call and ask you to move flight times in order to achieve this.
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DISCLAIMER/FAQ
- Passengers who cannot board the aircraft without assistance will not fly. You must be capable of climbing and descending the equivalent of a standard ladder.
- Must be able mentally and psychologically able to follow instructions. Must be sober and fit to fly!
- Passengers must be 13 years of age or older. Minors who fly (age 13-17) must have their parent or guardian complete a Participant Release for Minors. The parent or guardian must be present for the flight.
- The physical restrictions for all planes (other than the C-47) are: 6’5″, and 250 lbs. or smaller
- All passengers are required to complete a Participant Release.
- Flights may be canceled due to weather, mechanical, or crew availability.
- For safety, all passengers must wear closed-toe shoes. No sandals or flip-flops will be allowed. Long pants are recommended.
- NO Firearms, Pepper or Chemical Sprays, Stun Devices or weapons of any kind are permitted on the aircraft.
- No animals are permitted on the aircraft.
- No smoking and no vaping devices are allowed on any of our aircraft.
- No portable oxygen assistance devices are permitted.
- Large backpacks, shoulder bags, duffel bags, tripods or other bulky items are NOT permitted on the aircraft.
- Flights may be canceled due to weather, mechanical, or crew availability.
If you have questions or concerns, please email
[email protected]