Miloch wrote in
news
In article 1, Andrew
Chaplin says...

joet5 wrote in
m:


begin 644 US 1942-023894 C-47A to USN 12443 R4D-8 USNColl.jpg

Attachment decoded: US 1942-023894 C-47A to USN 12443 R4D-8
USNColl.jpg `
end

What advantages did the modified tail of the USN DC-3 produce?

"Both the vertical and horizontal tail surfaces were enlarged, and
given square tips, improving the single-engine performance of the
aircraft."

Douglas R4D-8 (Super DC-3)

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles...las_R4D-8.html

"The Douglas R4D-8 emerged from an unsuccessful attempt by Douglas to
extend the commercial lifespan of the aging DC-3. At the end of the
Second World War a vast number of DC-3s, C-47s, C-53s and Dakotas
flooded onto the commercial market, but by the end of the 1940s many of
these aircraft were threatened by increasingly strict Civil Air
Regulations in the United States, and the looming expiry of their
airworthiness certificates in 1952.

"Douglas responded by developing a modified version of the DC-3, the
DC-3S or Super DC-3, which could be produced by upgrading existing
aircraft. The new aircraft had a stronger longer fuselage, with room
for 30 passengers. The passenger door was moved forward, and the door
itself could be used as the boarding stairs. Both the vertical and
horizontal tail surfaces were enlarged, and given square tips,
improving the single-engine performance of the aircraft. The engine
nacelles were modified so that they could carry either 1,475hp Wright
Cyclone engines or 1,450hp Pratt & Whitney R-200-D7 radial engines, and
to allow the wheels to be fully enclosed. Finally the outer panels of
the wing were shortened, and 4 degrees of sweepback was added to the
trailing edges.

Thank you.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)