Douglas R4D-8

pimaair — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 19:46:06 +0000

Douglas R4D-8 (C-117D) Super Gooneybird

The C-117 was based on the reliable and proven DC-3/C-47 and was originally intended for the civilian airline market. The “Super DC-3” featured a longer fuselage, redesigned tail and wings, and fully enclosed the landing gear when retracted. In 1951, the Navy evaluated the Super DC-3 and liked the increased performance it offered and accepted the aircraft as the R4D-8. Rather than purchase new aircraft a total of 98 earlier R4Ds were converted to R4D-8 standards. In 1962, the R4D-8 was redesignated under the joint Air Force-Navy designation system as the C-117D. Super Gooneybirds continued in U.S. Navy service into the mid-1970s.

Wingspan	90 ft	Wingspan
Length	67 ft 9 in.	Length
Height	18 ft 3 in.	Height
Weight	31,000 lbs (loaded)	Weight
Max. Speed	270 MPH	Maximum Speed
Service Ceiling	22,500 ft	Service Ceiling
Range	2,500 miles	Range
Engines	Two Wright R-1820-80 with 1,475 horsepower each	Engines
Crew	3 with 35 passengers	Crew

Manufacturer
Douglas

Markings
Marine Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 27 (H&MS-27,) Cherry Point, North Carolina, 1968

Serial Number
50826

Designation
R4D-8

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Douglas R4D-8

Douglas R4D-8 (C-117D) Super Gooneybird