C-47 Skytrain
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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.
DISCLAIMER/FAQ
- All passengers are required to complete a Participant Release.
- For safety, all passengers must wear closed-toe shoes. No sandals or flip-flops will be allowed. Long pants are recommended.
- Passengers who cannot board the aircraft without assistance will not fly.
- The P-51 has physical restrictions that are: 6’5″, and 250 lbs. or smaller
- Large backpacks, shoulder bags, duffel bags, tripods or other bulky items are NOT permitted on the aircraft.
- 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.
- 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.
- Passengers must be able to enter and exit the aircraft without assistance; and be capable of climbing and descending the equivalent of a standard ladder.
- No smoking and no vaping devices are allowed on any of our aircraft.
- No portable oxygen assistance devices are permitted.
- Flights may be canceled due to weather, mechanical, or crew availability.
All riders must sign Participant Release prior to flight.
If you have questions or concerns, please email giftshop@palmspringsairmuseum.org