thedrifter
05-30-04, 09:49 AM
Issue Date: May 31, 2004
The Lore of the Corps
R4D-8 aimed at civilians but served Corps instead
By Robert F. Dorr
Special to the Times
One of the most familiar Marine Corps airplanes of the Korean and Vietnam eras was the result of an idea that didn’t work.
It was called the R4D-8, though when the Pentagon overhauled its system for naming airplanes in 1962, it became the C-117D. Unlike most military aircraft, the C-117D apparently never was given a popular name.
The plane’s origins date back to 1949, when Douglas Aircraft Co. of Santa Monica, Calif., proposed selling America’s airlines a new plane based on the most famous and successful airliner of all — the DC-3.
The new plane was the Super DC-3. The first test ship made its initial flight June 23, 1949, at Clover Field, Calif., with test pilot John F. Martin at the controls.
Douglas built 10,654 regular DC-3s between 1935 and 1947, the largest number of one transport plane in history.
Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called it one of the four most important weapons of World War II, along with the bazooka, the Jeep and the atomic bomb. In the Army, the DC-3 was called the C-47.
Marines flew versions called the R4D-1 through R4D-7, and gave it nicknames like “Gooney Bird” and “Old Bucket Seats.”
The Super DC-3 was another story. With an increased wingspan (now 95 feet), more powerful engines and square-off wing and tail surfaces, it performed perfectly well and would have made a good airliner — but the airlines didn’t want it.
The major companies were more interested in the newer, bigger twin-engine planes being offered by other builders. The small airlines found the Super DC-3 too expensive to operate at a time when plenty of old DC-3s were available.
Except for a trio of Super DC-3s that went to Capital Airlines, Douglas was unable to sell the new plane to commercial carriers. The Air Force bought one and called it the C-129, but had little interest in growing a fleet of them. The Navy, however, was happy to purchase the Super DC-3 and ordered 100 planes, of which 98 were built.
Most went to the Marine Corps as R4D-8s. The planes were powered by two 1,475-horsepower Wright R-1820-80 air-cooled piston engines and had a maximum speed of 270 mph.
They would be some of the last planes in the Marine Corps with a tail wheel.
In their only combat assignment, R4D-8s served as nocturnal flare-dropping aircraft for Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513 during the Korean War.
After that conflict ended in 1953, the R4D-8 became a familiar sight wherever Marines were stationed and was used as a utility transport to haul up to 10,000 pounds of cargo or 33 passengers.
After the name change that transformed the R4D-8 to the C-117D, the plane became ubiquitous in Vietnam. C-117Ds served with all three active-duty Marine aircraft wings and hauled troops on short- and medium-distance flights around the world. The Marine Corps continued to operate the C-117D until the last plane was retired in July 1976.
Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is the author of numerous books, including “Air Force One.” His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@cox.net.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=0-MARINEPAPER-2927566.php
Ellie
The Lore of the Corps
R4D-8 aimed at civilians but served Corps instead
By Robert F. Dorr
Special to the Times
One of the most familiar Marine Corps airplanes of the Korean and Vietnam eras was the result of an idea that didn’t work.
It was called the R4D-8, though when the Pentagon overhauled its system for naming airplanes in 1962, it became the C-117D. Unlike most military aircraft, the C-117D apparently never was given a popular name.
The plane’s origins date back to 1949, when Douglas Aircraft Co. of Santa Monica, Calif., proposed selling America’s airlines a new plane based on the most famous and successful airliner of all — the DC-3.
The new plane was the Super DC-3. The first test ship made its initial flight June 23, 1949, at Clover Field, Calif., with test pilot John F. Martin at the controls.
Douglas built 10,654 regular DC-3s between 1935 and 1947, the largest number of one transport plane in history.
Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called it one of the four most important weapons of World War II, along with the bazooka, the Jeep and the atomic bomb. In the Army, the DC-3 was called the C-47.
Marines flew versions called the R4D-1 through R4D-7, and gave it nicknames like “Gooney Bird” and “Old Bucket Seats.”
The Super DC-3 was another story. With an increased wingspan (now 95 feet), more powerful engines and square-off wing and tail surfaces, it performed perfectly well and would have made a good airliner — but the airlines didn’t want it.
The major companies were more interested in the newer, bigger twin-engine planes being offered by other builders. The small airlines found the Super DC-3 too expensive to operate at a time when plenty of old DC-3s were available.
Except for a trio of Super DC-3s that went to Capital Airlines, Douglas was unable to sell the new plane to commercial carriers. The Air Force bought one and called it the C-129, but had little interest in growing a fleet of them. The Navy, however, was happy to purchase the Super DC-3 and ordered 100 planes, of which 98 were built.
Most went to the Marine Corps as R4D-8s. The planes were powered by two 1,475-horsepower Wright R-1820-80 air-cooled piston engines and had a maximum speed of 270 mph.
They would be some of the last planes in the Marine Corps with a tail wheel.
In their only combat assignment, R4D-8s served as nocturnal flare-dropping aircraft for Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513 during the Korean War.
After that conflict ended in 1953, the R4D-8 became a familiar sight wherever Marines were stationed and was used as a utility transport to haul up to 10,000 pounds of cargo or 33 passengers.
After the name change that transformed the R4D-8 to the C-117D, the plane became ubiquitous in Vietnam. C-117Ds served with all three active-duty Marine aircraft wings and hauled troops on short- and medium-distance flights around the world. The Marine Corps continued to operate the C-117D until the last plane was retired in July 1976.
Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is the author of numerous books, including “Air Force One.” His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@cox.net.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=0-MARINEPAPER-2927566.php
Ellie