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Posted

I need someone who knows their Dakotas  please!

 

The cowlings on this Dakota are noticeably different from ones I have seen, they are more rounded and narrower opening.

Any explanations please, different engine perhaps?

Thanks :)

Wild-geese-dakota.jpg

Posted

Wright Cyclones as fitted to original civilian DC-3's rather than P&W 1830's used in military C-47's of which there were/are many , many more around.

 

 

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Posted

Not the original cowlings as fitted to DC-3, Li-2 and some military or militarised variants.   The Cyclone cowlings were larger, shorter and more open.  These are post-war cowlings and may be one-offs.  Or not many.

 

PS They look like DC-7 cowlings.  Not I suspect with DC-7 engines inside.

 

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Posted

They certainly don't look like Cyclone cowlings, and they have what appears to be standard R-1830 oil coolers beneath them. Post-war C-47s and DC-3s had a variety of cowls fitted, depending on the engine fitted and the operator, and this was especially so in South America (where I suspect this example originates).

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Posted

I think these cowlings are part of Super DC-3 kit, which apart from the name had nothing in common with new post-war Super DC-3 (DC-3S or C-117D) aircraft type. I believe the kit included aerodynamically refined nose and cowlings, added main landing gear doors and some other minor improvements. Engines were regular P&W R1830 14-cylinder radials. I am away from my books at the moment but I think a photo of one of so equipped Air France cargo DC-3s had been published in an Old glory or similary titled book. Will have a look when I return home. Cheers

Jure

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Posted

Hello

Correction, it was AiResearch "maximiser kit": new cowlings, buffers, oil coolers ducting, main undercarriage doors and exhaust system. These provided increase of speed of 20 mph. Also, the photo of so "maximised" Air France DC-3 (F-BEFN) is published in Vintage glory book, will try to find it online. Cheers

Jure

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Posted

Internet Movie Plane database lists this aircraft (from "The Wild Geese") As a 1942 built C47 supplied to the USAAC. Probably a post war modification along with the single sheet windscreen.

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Posted

Hello,

here are some photos. Original advert, found here ...

s-l1600.jpg

 

... photo of the Air France F-BEFN found here on Britmodeller in this WIP thread ...

... and there is another photo of this plane on her way to the new owner, found on Airhistory.net, although only undercarriage doors are clearly visible.

Here is another example, but the plane retained original cowling lips ...

N877MG-before-restoration-Tarmac-640x426

 

... found here on Airline reporter. The photo is interesting, as modifications also include converted nose with radar. AiResearch kits also included one with modified nose and radar, but I think this one must have come from another manufacturer. There was also a third AiResearch kit with uprated versions of P&W engines, R1830-92 IIRC.

There are several photos of "maximized" DC-3s here, some also with (I think) AiResearch radar kit installed. Another webpage, compiled by Ron Cuskelly, with very interesting photos of AiResearch kit can be found on Queensland Air museum website here, and includes this photo by David Thollar.

 

PK-RDB-07.jpg

 

I hope it helps. Cheers

Jure

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