C-47 Skytrain

Here's a look at the TC-47D on display at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Wash. Photos were taken by Steve Heeb, and are intended as reference to assist model builders in creating accurate representations of this fine aircraft. There are almost 40 shots from a wide variety of angles. I kept the photos pretty big so that they can be used as references by model builders who do not have access to planes like this. Hope these shots will be of some help.

Some captions and details may be included to the right of the photos. I do not claim to be an expert (by any means) but have pointed out a few items that I found interesting. Please forgive any inaccuracies on my part.

Note: this plane is on display at the museum, and some details may have been altered from its original operational condition.

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The C-47 on display at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Wash.
A little better lighting under the wings
The propelleor hub on the starboard engine
Overexposed to show off the wiring for the radial engine, again on the starboard wing
Note that the cowl flaps are "straight" and don't actually conform to the curve of the engine nacelle

Also note the big radiator intake below the engine
Over to the port engine and the nose.

Note the door below the cockpit window level
Another view that shows the position of the access door

Note the ring below the nose, and the antenna wiring that runs below the cockpit
a more head-on look at the antenna

There also seems to be a nose hatch of some sort between the wire antenna mounts and the loop antenna. Not sure if that was the case, since there is a door clearly visible on the port side of the fuselage
Antenna again from the starboard side
Single light on the starboard wing
Starboard wing

Note how wing is faired into fuselage, also the heavily-bolted strip that runs up the wing just outside the engine nacelle
Under the starboard wing
Lowered flaps on the starboard wing
Tail wheel
Starboard side of the tail/rudder.

Note the lightening holes in the tail structure where it meets the rudder
A center white nav light and a red light just starboard of center. The mesh covers a hole in the tail -- I believe installed by the museum to keep birds from nesting inside the plane.

I don't think the red braces were normal equipment, but used only by the museum to keep the elevators immobile.
Looking forward along the port wing. There are several little exhaust vents and a couple of larger caps (I assume for fuel)

Note the fairly large component on top of the engine nacelle
Another angle of the same portion of port wing
Note the supporting strip (present on both wings)

Also note the extra plating on the flaps further out on the wing

Massive doors on the port side of the fuselage. Also how the stars and bars insignia covers part of the huge hinge
Doors and back on the port side.

Note the spacious gap where the rudder is hinged

Fabric elevators (and other control surfaces) felt like a drum in comparison toi the metal body... very cool
Another look at the doors on the port side
Lowered flaps continued all the way across the underside of the plane
Port side wing
Structure and antenna mounts just below the cockpit
Looking up into the port wheel well.

Note the bulge on the far side where the exhaust runs along the engine nacelle
Brake line emerges from a hole in the nacelle separate from the lading gear
Close up of the landing gear and associated bracing on the port wing

Brackets installed by the museum hold the wheel off the ground for display
Looking forward from inside the port wheel well
Same location, facing slightly inboard
Looking up at the back wall of the port heel well
Slightly different, but still looking up into port wheel well from just outside landing gear
Port engine nacelle and exhaust
Port engine structure and landing gear
Two antenna wires under front of plane both are insulated at the ends. The upper wire is connected midway to a wire that runs into a panel slightly off center to the starboard side. The lower wire connects almost at the far end to a wire that runs into the fuselage a few inches from the mount, slightly to the port side.

There were covers on the two mounts, probably doubling as pitot tubes.
Starboard side of the front of the plane

Note separate mountings for the two wire antennas

Also note the forward tilt of the loop antenna under the nose
Only one year old, McKenzie already loves to watch the airplanes flying overhead... But this is her first opportunity to see a vintage plane up close on the ground.

 

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