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Dakota N47SJ
S/N 43-48608
or Sky Train, Gooney Bird, Puff The Magic Dragon or many more names...
c/n 14424/25869 and had the following previous identities: 43-48608, K-11 (Belgian AF), also served with the French AF and 4X-FNN/016 for the Israeli Air Force.
Click here to watch aquisition pictures from Villeneuve to Paso Robles!Click here to watch progress of restoration!
New...Flash slide show. (1-4-08)
Click here for C-47B tri-view.
Click here for N47SJ history.
The C47 was derived from the DC3 family of commercial planes. The military was looking for a good trasport plane. The first flight by the C-47 prototype was made from Clover Field (now Santa Monica, CA) at 3 p.m. on 17th December 1935, which just happened to be the 32nd anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight.
For half a century the Douglas C-47 and its numerous derivatives has remained the most versatile aviation workhorse the world has ever known, and can arguably claim the title of World's Greatest Aircraft. Born in brassy years of the mid-1930s, the DC-3 became the world's standard airliner, before donning warpaint as the world's standard military transport. Both these and other roles have continued unabated through to current times.
Recognizing its great potential as a military transport, the United States Army specified a number of changes needed to make the aircraft acceptable for military use, including more powerful engines, the removal of airline seating in favor of utility seats along the walls, a stronger rear fuselage and floor, and the addition of large loading doors. A large order was placed in 1940 for the military DC-3, which was designated C-47 and became known as "Skytrain," a name it would soon be asked to live up to.
The C-47had quite a few nicknames: Gooney Bird; Super DC-3 (R4D-8); Skytrooper; Biscuit Bomber; Tabby (NATO code name for the Showa L2D); Cab (NATO code name for Lisunov Li-2); Dumbo (SC-47 Search-and Rescue variant); Sister Gabby/Bullshit Bomber (EC-47 dispensing propaganda-leaflets in Vietnam); Spooky/Puff the Magic Dragon (AC-47 Gunship); Dowager Dutchess; Old Methuselah; The Placid Plodder; Dizzy Three; Old Bucket Seats; Duck; Dak; Dakleton (South African C-47s which replaced their Avro Shackletons), or the Vomit Comet (Nickname used by US Army paratroops during the Normandy invasion.)
Over 13,000 aircraft were built, under various configurations, by multiple manufacturers in multiple countries. N47SJ is one of 64 registered by the FAA and there are approximately 300 still flying in the world.
Currently, the C-47 is under a complete restoration to restore her to 1943 charm. Fuselage has been sanded and repainted as noted by picture above. This multi-named bird is on display from the Gooney Corp. This C-47B has seen service in the US Army Air Corp, then with the Belgium, French, and Israeli Air Forces prior to landing in Canada. After sitting silent for six years, the Wonder Boys of the restoration crew went to Canada, fired it up and flew it home to Paso Robles. Prior to leaving Canada, it had a total of 9,420 flight hours. She is presently undergoing a serious face lift. She is expected to return to flight status in late spring or early summer, 2008.
Watch the C-47B fire up her engines while under restoration.
This particular C-47B was manufactured by the Douglas Air Craft Corporation.
| Powerplant: | Two 1,200 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-SC3G Twin Wasp Radial Piston |
| Wingspan: | 36'0" |
| Length: | 25' 9 " |
| Height: | 7' 6" |
| Wing area: | 174 sf |
| Empty weight: | 16,865 lbs |
| Gross weight: | 25,200 lbs |
| Maximum speed: | 230 mph |
| Cruising speed: | 150 mph |
| Landing speed: | 70 mph |
| Ceiling: | 23,200 ft |
| Range: | 2,125 statute miles |
| Status: | On Display/Privately Owned - Currently undergoing restoration * |
*Some of the aircraft listed "On Display/Privately Owned," are privately owned by individuals or corperations and are proudly displayed at the Estrella Warbird Museum. The Estrella WarBirds Museum does not own, restore, operate nor maintain flyable aircraft.
We are grateful that the owners display their aircraft at the museum for the public to view.
Any courtesy rides given by aircraft owners is an agreement solely between the person that owns the aircraft and passenger.
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