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Type: Utility Transport (Later Gunship)
Origin: Douglas
Models: C-47, AC-47, R4D, C-53, Dakota, C-117, L2D and Li-2
Crew: Two
First Flight: December 17, 1935 (DST)
Service Delivery: October 1938
Final Delivery: N/A
Production:
   American: 10,048+
   Japanese: (L2D) 571
   Russian: (Li-2) 2,700+

Dimensions:
Wing Span: 95 ft. (28.96m)
Length: 64 ft. 5½ in. (19.64m)
Height: 16 ft. 11½ in. (5.16m)
Wing Area: 987 sq. ft. (91.69m²)

Weights:
Empty: 16,970 lb. (7700 kg.)
Loaded: 25,200 lb. (11,432 kg.)
Maximum Overload: 33,000 lb. (14,969 kg.)

Performance:
Max. Speed: 230 mph (370 kph) at 8,500 ft.
Cruising Speed: 207 mph (333 kph)
Initial Climb: N/A
Service Ceiling: 23,200 ft. (7070 m)
Range (Max. Fuel): 2,125 miles (3420 km)

Powerplant:
Typical
  Model: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90D or 92 Twin Wasp
  Type: 14-cylinder two row radial
  Number: Two       Horsepower: 1,200

C-117D
  Model: Wright R-1820-80 Cyclone
  Type: 9-cylinder radial
  Number: Two       Horsepower: 1,535

Li-2
  Model: M-621R (Derived from Cyclone)
  Type: 9-cylinder radial
  Number: Two       Horsepower: 1,000

L2D
  Model: Mitsubishi Ki-43 or Ki-51 Kinsei
  Type: 14-cylinder two row radial
  Number: Two       Horsepower: 1,050 or 1,300

Payload:
C-47: 6,000 lb. (2722 kg) or 28 paratroops or 14 liters and 3 attendants.

Variants: Partial List

Douglas DST: Original model with accomodations for 28 day or 14 sleeper passengers. Powered by Wright Cyclone engines. 21 Built.
Douglas DST-A: As DST except powered by P&W Twin Wasps. 19 built.
Douglas DC-3: Basic day passenger version with accomodations for between 21 and 28 passengers. Powered by Wright Cyclones. 266 built.
Douglas DC-3A: as DC-3 except powered by P&W Twin Wasps. 114 built.
Douglas DC-3B: Convertible model with seat/berths in forward cabin and seats in the aft cabin for 28 day passengers or fewer night passengers. Recognizable by small window on each side over 1st and 3rd main windows. 10 built.
C-41A: prototype military model. Derived from DC-3A with military instrumentation, swiveling chairs and R-1830-92 radials. Used as command transport. 1 built.
C-47: Initial production military model. Revised tankage and addition of small astrodome. 965 built.
C-47A: Improved C-47 with 24-volt electrical system. 5,253 built.
RC-47A: postwar modification. Used in Korea for reconnaissance and flare dropping.
SC-47A: postwar search and rescue variant, redesignated HC-47A in 1962.
VC-47A: Postwar modification to produce staff transports.

C-47B: version developed for use in Chine-Burma-India theater with improved heating and more powerful engines. Marginally successfull and majority were converted to C-47D standard. 3,232 built.
TC-47B: Navigation trainer. 133 built.
VC-47B: conversion of C-47B for use as staff transports.
XC-47C: Experimental aircraft used to develop float plane version. 1 built (150 set of EDO floats were built for field installation.)
C-47D: C-47Bs with high blower removed.
AC-47D: Gunship version with three 7.62mm GE miniguns.
RC-47D: Reconnaissance version.
SC-47D: search and rescue variant, in 1962 redesignated HC-47D.
TC-47D: Trainer modification.
VC-47D: staff transport conversion.
XCG-17: Experimental glider version.
R4D-1: Initial naval version. Similar to C-47.
R4D-5: 238 C-47As transferred to U.S. Navy fro U.S.A.A.F. stocks. Redesignated C-47H in 1962.
Lisonev Li-2: Russian licence-built version.
Showa L2D: Japanese licensed built (at least until start of hostilities) version.

Sources:
The Complete Encyclodepia of World Aircraft, 1997, Barnes & Nobles Books, ISBN: 0 7607 0592 5