DOUGLAS R4D-8 “Super Gooney” R – TRANSPORT 4 – 4TH MODEL D – DOUGLAS 8 - MODIFICATIONS The R4D-8/C-117D configuration was based on the 1935 design of the Douglas DC-3 transport.  Douglas reconfigured the DC-3 to better serve the military mission and the C-47/R4D was produced.  Over 10,000 were built to serve all the nations of the Allied Forces during World War Two.  Versions of the DC-3/R4D/C-47 have served with almost every Air Force in the world  including Russia, the Imperial Japanese Army and Nazi Germany.  After World War Two there was a proposal to replace the R4D/C-47.  Douglas decided to improve the R4D/C-47 by stretching the fuselage by 35 inches adding new wings and tail and changing the engine to the lighter more powerful Wright R-1820. This aircraft was initially delivered as an R4D-6 on 28 December 1944. It was sent to Santa Monica, CA and upgraded to the R4D-8 configuration and redelivered in 1952.  It has served with VR –1(Fleet Logistic Support Squadron) VR-3, VR-4, VR-13, H&MS-17 (Headquarters & Maintenance Squadron), MWHS-1 (Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron) and MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.  It was retired in 1982 with a total of 23,316 hours. SPECIFICATIONS WING SPAN   90’ WING AREA   969  SQ FT LENGTH   67’ 9” HEIGHT   18’ 3” EMPTY WEIGHT  19,537  LBS GROSS WEIGHT  31,000  LBS ENGINE   2 x Wright R1820 1475 HORSE POWER  EACH MAX SPEED   270 MPH CRUISE SPEED   238 MPH CLIMB    1,300 FEET PER MINUTE RANGE    2,500  NAUTICAL MILES ARMAMENT   NONE