RAY CRUPI COLLECTION
No. 12633. Douglas DC-3C C-117A (45-2551 c/n 18554/34145) US Army Air Forces
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 4060

Douglas DC-3C C-117A

11/15/2014. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Towards the end of WW II the USAAF, with enough operational transports, felt a need for less spartan staff transports. Accordingly seventeen C-117As were built in 1944-1945 with a 21-seat airline-type interior. They were generally identical to late series C-47B-DKs and were also powered by R-1830-90Cs with two-stage blowers, but they did not have the large cargo door and the reinforced floor. The final C-117 A, which was accepted by the USAAF on 29 December, 1945, was the last new military derivative of the DST/DC-3 to be built.

Eleven C-117As were modified by removal of the engine high-altitude superchargers and redesignated C-117B, while VC-47s which were overhauled and brought up to C-117B standard were redesignated C-117C. With the implementation of the Tri-Service designation system in 1962, surviving USN/USMC R4D-8s (Super DC-3s) were redesignated C-117D.

The pictured aircraft was subsequently modified to a C-117B. Last operator was the 328th Fighter Wing and on July 7, 1965 it was delivered to the AMARC."


Created November 15, 2014