Douglas R4D-8. Photo. Characteristics.
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Douglas R4D-8. Photo. Characteristics.

Douglas R4D-8. Photo. Characteristics. 

USA

A type: Twin-engined transport monoplane

Capacity: A crew of three and up to thirty-eight passengers

Having the firm the nickname "Super» DC-3, R4D-8 was the military version of this classic aircraft that revolutionized both the civil and the military air transport market. The company "Douglas" was assured that instead of creating a new car market wants just another version of the aircraft, "Dakota» (Dakota): the company kept the statement: "The only thing that could replace the aircraft DC-3 - it's just another airplane DC-3!» Accordingly, airplane R4D-8 different form the tail and wings with improved aerodynamics.

Further improvement in the aerodynamics of the aircraft was achieved by the complete closing of the main landing gear racks. At the same time, the flight performance of the aircraft was also improved by replacing Twin Twin engines with the more powerful Cyclone engines from Wright. Nevertheless, despite a full tour of America before the sale, the Super-DC-3 aircraft provoked little interest from civilian operating organizations. And if it were not for the US Navy ordering 100 aircraft for the designation R4D-8, it looks like the Super-DC-3 would not be in mass production, since only three copies were sold to Capital Airlines ).

(Of the ordered aircraft R4D-8 was actually built only 17 copies, others were converted from standard aircraft R4D.) In military service aircraft R4D-8 (received in 1962, the designation of C-117D) were employed in the transport of civilian goods and VIPs . Perhaps the most exciting flight made this aircraft VX-6, we were in the Antarctic, where this type operated on skis.

Aircraft performance characteristics:

  • Maximum speed: 432 km / h

dimensions:

  • Length: 21,67 m
  • Wingspan: 28,34 m
  • Height: 5,51 m

The weight:

  • BLANK: 9738 kg
  • Maximum take-off: 13 834 kg

Basic data

Range of flight: 3420 km

Power point: two engines R-1820- 80 «Cyclone" Company "Wright"

Power: 3070 l. from. (2290,22 kW)

Date of first flight:

  • 1949 year

Surviving airworthiness modifications: R4D-8 and C-117D / VC-117D

 

 

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