Douglas DC-3TP

Douglas C-47 Skytrain/Dakota, C-53 Skytrooper и R4D

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Предпринималось много усилий по улучшению летных характеристик C-47, удлинению срока его эксплуатации и расширению сферы применения. В частности, на самолет неоднократно устанавливались разные типы турбовинтовых двигателей. Последним и наиболее удачным вариантом для военного применения считается силовая установка фирмы "Basler Turbo Conversions Inc". На самолет, получивший обозначение Basler Turbo-67, устанавливаются два ТВД Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R мощностью по 1424 э.л.с. (1061 кВт), приводящих в движение пятилопастные винты Hartzell, а переднюю часть удлиняют на 1,02 м, чтобы вынести места пилотов из плоскости вращения винтов. Кроме того, такое решение позволяет сохранить в приемлемых пределах центровку машины, несмотря на меньшую массу ТВД. Новая компоновка грузовой кабины позволяет перевозить до 34 военнослужащих или пять грузовых контейнеров LD3. Поставки варианта Turbo-67 начались в 1990 году, в числе заказчиков - ВВС Колумбии, Боливии, Гватемалы и Сальвадора (с переделкой ганшипов AC-47 в транспортные машины).
Начиная с 1992 года, ВВС Южной Африки (SAAF) начали получать самолеты C-47TP Super Dakota, доработанные фирмой "Professional Aviation" во многом аналогично варианту Basler Turbo-67. Линии по доработке самолета были организованы на базах SAAF в Сварткопе и Йестрплаате, где предполагалось конвертировать свыше 40 Dakota. Первый обновленный самолет был передан в 1992 году 35-й эскадрилье в Кейптауне и использовался для поисково-спасательных операций. В середине 1990-х годов количество дорабатываемых самолетов значительно пересмотрели в сторону сокращения.

The Conroy-developed Tri-Turbo 3, a DC-3 re-engined with three Pratt & Whitney PT6A-45 turboprops.

Douglas DC-3TP YV2119 (c/n 14994/26439) was noted at Opa Locka in Florida in September 2013. The aircraft has been present at the airfield for at least 12 months, but its current operator is unknown. It was built as C-47B-10-DK 43-49178 for the RAF but entered service with the South African Air Force (SAAF) as 6849 in November 1944. It had joined Africair Ltd by January 1955 and, after passing though a number of civil operators, was re-acquired by the SAAF as 6892 in the late 1980s. In 1995 its piston engines were replaced with turboprops as a C-47TP (DC-3TP being the civil equivalent), and was sold four years later to Dodson Aviation of South Africa before moving to the United States. It passed to a Venezuelan operator in February 2008, but was noted at Opa Locka in late 2012.

A BASLER BT-67 operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is to be used to better understand climate processes in the Arctic.

Нестареющая "Дакота" - самолет BT-67 из состава ВВС Мали.

After completion of an 18-month overhaul and refurbish by Basler Turbo Conversions at its facilities in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Mauritanian Air Force Basler BT-67 5T-MAH (c/n 13657, ex 42-93715) is now ready for re-delivery. The aircraft was re-sprayed by aircraft refinishers Sky Harbour Aircraft at Goderich Municipal Airport, Ontario, Canada, from where it is seen getting airborne on August 30, 2006 for a return flight to Oshkosh after completion. It was then due to commence its ferry flight back to its base at Nouakchott, Mauritania, routing via Gander and the Azores. The aircraft had arrived at Oshkosh on May 2, 2005, and in addition to a major overhaul it was also fitted with an engine filter system to alleviate previous problems with sand ingestion in the harsh Mauritanian operating environment.

Bell Geospace Basler BT-67 C-FTGX departing Bournemouth in December 2018. The aircraft was transiting through the Dorset airport from Goose Bay, reportedly on its way to conduct survey work in Croatia.

New Basler BT67 conversion N232GB (c/n 14823/26268) arrived at Goderich Airport, Ontario, Canada, on February 21, 2008 to be painted in Bell Geospace Aviation colours. It is seen here at Goderich on March 14, with new Canadian registration C-FTGI taped over, shortly before leaving that same afternoon for Basler at Oshkosh, prior to being handed over to its new owner.

Basler BT-67 C-FTGI on the ground at Galway Airport on September 3, 2008.

Basler BT-67 C-FGCX (DC-3C s/n 19446) seen at Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport, Roatan, Honduras, in early November 2016. The aircraft registered to Kenn Borek Air of Calgary, Alberta, bears the livery of CHINARE, the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition. The aircraft is likely to have been staging through Roatan en route to Antarctica in support of CHINARE’s summer deployment there.

Basler turbo-conversions of DC-3s continue to appear, this example, for the Thai Air Force, being rolled-out on March 15, 1999, at the Oshkosh factory. The aircraft will be used for cloud seeding duties.

Basler BT-67 Surveyor C-GGSU (c/n 13439, ex N36AP) is owned by CGG Aviation (Canada) of Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. The aircraft was originally a Douglas DC-3C before being modified by Basler in 2012 and outfitted for the geophysical surveillance role. It is depicted at Muskoka Little Norway Airport, Ontario on May 10, 2014.

Spectrum Air C-47 ZS-ASN, an electro-magnetic survey aircraft, was photographed in November at Calgary, during a major inspection. It was operating out of Flin Flan, Manatoba, for survey work on behalf of the local mining industry. The Spectrum 2000 conversion of the C-47 is powered by PT6-67 turboprops from Basler Aviation of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The aircraft is also equipped with magnetic anomaly and electro-magnetic detectors.

South African-registered Basler BT-67 flown by Spectrem Air and registered ZS-ASN, has returned to Australian skies to conduct electromagnetic survey work in the Meekatharra region.

The Dakota started life as a DC-3A-467 or a C-47B-40-DK (c/n 16833/33581) with a United States Army Air Force serial number 44-77249. It was briefly on United States Army Air Force charge from June 30, 1945, before being transferred to the RAF on July 2,1945, as a Dakota IV with RAF serial number KP279. The Douglas Aircraft Company Inc construction plate is clearly stamped as a DC-3C. The Dak went on to civilian life in several countries around the globe, including a stint with British European Airways on passenger services as G-AMNV in the 1960s. It has also been registered in Spain, Sweden, Senegal, Bechuanaland, Botswana and Brazil. While carrying the civil registration of ZS-ASN, this venerable Dakota became the 11th of her ilk to be converted to a Basler BT-67.

DC-3, используемый для специальных операций в Латинской Америке

First flown on 2nd November 1977 at Santa Barbara, California, the Tri Turbo-3 is a Douglas DC-3 converted by Specialized Aircraft to tri-turboprop power (three Pratt & Whitney PT-6s). Cruising speed is 230 m.p.h. and range more than 3,000 miles, making it suitable for maritime surveillance, search and rescue, or photographic and mapping missions

The Specialised Aircraft Tri Turbo 3 DC-3 conversion powered by three 1,174 h.p. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada PT6A-45 turboprop engines driving five-blade propellers.

Rolls-Royce have recently civilianised their Dart Dakota testbed, KJ829 (c /n. 14168, ex-43-48352), as G-AOXI. It is seen here at Hurn inward bound for Hucknall from Bilbao on 30th November 1956.

Dart-powered DC-3 G-AMDB ‘Claud Johnson ’ in later BEA livery.

До поступления самолетов Vickers Viscount несколько DC-3 компании BAE оснастили ТВД Rolls-Royce Dart. Снимок DC-3 с ТВД сделан в 1950-е годы в Нортхолте. Подобная модернизация DC-3 облегчила компании BAE переход на реактивную технику.

Conroy/Douglas Turbo Three.