Douglas DC-3 (C-47 Skytrain/Dakota)
The Douglas DC-3 revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and became a wartime workhorse as the C-47 Skytrain—known as the Dakota in RAF service. With its twin radial engines, rugged airframe, and unmatched reliability, the DC-3 served in every major theater of World War II, performing troop transport, paratrooper drops, glider towing, and medical evacuation. Over 10,000 C-47s were built, and many remain airworthy more than 80 years after its first flight.
This category features high-resolution prints of DC-3 and C-47 aircraft in flight, on takeoff, and in museum preservation—captured by aviation photographer Stuart H. Bourne. Included are RAF Dakotas, U.S. Army Air Forces Skytrains, and postwar civilian conversions, each cataloged with verified serials, operator history, and archival context.
