Its called the meat grinder(for obvious reasons)
Its a way out for the crew in case the rear exit is block
However, as I was told when I flew one for a cargo company a few years
back....make sure the prop isnt spinning when you go out that door!

"Adam Aulick" wrote in message
...
At Oshkosh, I was noticing that DC3s have a little half-height door behind
and below the pilot's seat, and about one, maybe two hairs forward of the
left prop. There's a good picture on this ebay auction (scroll down):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1944-DC-3-C47-Multi-Engine-Aircraft_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63678QQitemZ45 68256276QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

What is this door for? I was discussing it with a friend and the best
idea we could come up with was immediate, grisly death.

~Adam Aulick

postscript: if anybody here is considering auctioning their DC3 on ebay,
with pictures showing faded paint, water driplines, and equipment piled up
under the wings, you might want to mention whether or not it's
airworty....