CC-129 Douglas Dakota
Overview
Overview
First flown on December 17, 1933 at Clover Field in Santa Monica, California, the Douglas DC-3 is arguably one of the most successful aircraft ever built. Designated “Dakota” or C-47 by the RAF/RCAF, the aircraft was also known by a wide variety of different names (Skytrain, Skytrooper, DAK, Goonie Bird) and different designations (DC-3, C-47, C-53, R4D) in various services. Highly adaptable, this transport aircraft could be fitted with skis or Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) bottles. In the RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces, it served in a wide variety of roles including various training purposes such as navigation, radio and radar training, along with numerous other roles such as target towing, transport, search and rescue duties.
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Designation | CC-129 / CT-129 |
| Model No | DC-3 / C-47 |
| Marks | Mk III, Mk II ICSC, F, FP, P, R, S&R, U, and Mk IVM, MF, MFP, P, ST, T |
| Role | Transport, training, target towing, search and rescue |
| Taken on strength | 1943 |
| Struck off strength | 1989 |
| Number | 169 |
| Service | RCAF and Canadian Armed Forces |
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Corporation |
| Crew / Passengers | Two pilots + up to 3 crew or 36 passengers |
| Powerplant | Two 1200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 radials |
| Maximum speed | 199 knots (369 kilometres per hour) |
| Cruising Speed | 145 knots (269 kilometres per hour) |
| Service Ceiling | 24,100 feet (7,345 metres) |
| Range | 1,300 nautical miles (2,414 kilometres) |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 26,000 pounds (11,793 kilograms) |
| Span | 95 feet 0 inches (28.95 metres) |
| Length | 64 feet 5.5 inches (19.64 metres) |
| Armament | None |
| Original cost | $165,000 |
Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge ©2007. Translated and reproduced with the permission of the author.
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