Douglas C-47D Skytrain (oz3628)

About this Plan

Douglas C-47D Skytrain. Radio control scale twin. 767 sqin area, for twin 40 power.

Update 9/2/2022: Added kit instructions, thanks to Wilber Williams.

Quote: "Douglas C-47D Skytrain. Introduction: The douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota was a military veirsion of the douglas DC-3 commercial airliner. The douglas prototype known as the DST was first flown on December 17, 1935.

The DC-3 was an enlarged version of the DC-1 / DC-2 design. It filled a pressing need of the early airlines to provide more economical and comfortable passenger service. As a measure of the success of the design, there are nearly 2,000 DC-3/C-47's still in active service after 40 years.

The differences between the DC-3 and C-47 mainly revolve around window shapes, door locations, and power plant installation. Generally, the C-47 version utilized more powerful engines and consequently, had a higher top, climb, and cruise speed. As late as the 1960s C-47's were used by the USAF in Vietnam as gunships. These aircraft were known as 'Dragon Ships' or 'Spookies'

The official USAF type designations of the C-47 are numerous, undoubtably due to the long and varied service of this aircraft, the C-47 is also know as the C-47A, HC-47A, RC-47A, VC-47A, VC-47B, C-47D, EC-47D, HC-47D, TC-47D, VC-47D, & C-47E. It is known by the US Navy and Marine Corps as the C-47H, EC-47H, LC-47H, SC-47H, TC-47J, EC-47J, LC-47J, SC-47J, TC-47J, VC-47J, and TC-47K. Aircraft were built under license in Russia and bear the designation Li-2.

The DC-3 has also undergone several type modifications and is variously designated as the DC-3, DC-3A, DC-3B, and DC-3L.

The above aircraft are nearly identical externally but may have different engine types. In choosing a specific type to model we suggest that you locate a full size aircraft. Thus, any small details may be verified directly.

Fuselage:

1. Prior to starting construction throughly famillarize yourself with all the parts and check their location on the plans.

2. Note the ply side doubler and its interlocking formers F-5, F-7, F-8, F-9 and check that the tabs on the formers fit snugly in the slots of the ply side. Relieve if necessary for a good fit.

3. Begin construction by butt-gluing the balsa outer side pieces together. Using contact cement, glue the ply doubler to the fuse side. Be sure to make one right and one left side! The ply doubler is located on the inner side of the balsa fuse side.

4. Add the 1/8 x 3/16 pieces in 5 places on each side assembly. Add F-35 to both side assemblies. Add the 1/8 x 3/16 piece behind F-9 on the right side only. Laminate an F-6 doubler to F-5 and F-9 , add F-30 to F-5.

3. It is most convenient to cut the windows out at this time. If you do not want to cut them out at least mark them for the future when access to the inside of the fuse is difficult.

6. Very accurately mark the former locations on both fuse sides. Draw a centerline on every former. Draw a 4 ft straight line on the work surface.

7. Using 5 min epoxy, glue F-7 and F-8 to the fuse sides. Be sure the sides are square to the formers and the length from each former is the same to the nose and the tail. Gently pull the sides together at each end and be sure they meet in the center. Perform this step while working over the centerline on the workbench. Line up the former centerlines on the work-bench line. Be sure the fuse is square before the epoxy sets..."

Supplementary file notes

Instructions, 22 pages.

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