Basler BT-67

The Basler BT-67 is a utility aircraft produced by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a remanufactured and modified Douglas C-47 (DC-3); the modifications are designed to significantly extend the DC-3's serviceable lifetime.

BT-67
A BT-67 of the Royal Thai Air Force
Role Utility aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Basler Turbo Conversions
First flight 1990
Status in service
Produced 1990–present[1]
Number built 68[2]
Developed from Douglas DC-3

Design and development

Basler Turbo Conversions was founded in 1990 solely focused on converting existing C-47 airframes into the BT-67.[1] Basler custom configures each new build to the client's specifications. Industries served include cargo, military, cloudseeding, scientific research, and various other applications.[3][4] The conversion includes fitting the airframe with new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, lengthening the fuselage, strengthening the airframe, upgrading the avionics, and making modifications to the wing leading edges and wingtips.

Due to the slightly higher fuel consumption of the turbine engines of the BT-67, compared to the original piston designs fitted to the standard DC-3, range on the standard fuel tank, with 45 minute reserve, is reduced from 1,160 to 950 nautical miles (2,150 to 1,760 km). Basler provides a long-range fuel tank which increases the aircraft range to 2,140 nmi (3,960 km).[3]

Gunship version

The Basler BT-67 has a gunship version used by the Colombian Aerospace Force as of 2017.[5] The Colombian gunships are equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enabling the aircraft to conduct effective nighttime missions.[6]

Operators
A BT-67 with the Guatemalan Air Force
Basler BT-67 conversion No.1, N200AN of World Air Logistics, at Missoula Montana in 2000

Military
 Colombia
 El Salvador
 Guatemala
 Mali
 Mauritania
 Thailand

Civilian
 Australia
 Canada
 China
 Germany
 United States

Accidents and incidents
Further information: List of accidents and incidents involving the DC-3

As of 2019, a total of 15 BT-67 have been involved in crashes or other incidents since the 1990s.

Specifications (BT-67)

Data from Born Again Basler[17] and Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95[18]

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two (pilot & co-pilot)
  • Capacity: 38 Passengers
  • Length: 67 ft 9 in (20.65 m)
  • Wingspan: 95 ft 0 in (28.95 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 11 in (5.15 m)
  • Empty weight: 15,700 lb (7,121 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 28,750 lb (13,041 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, 1,281 shp (955 kW) each
  • Propellers: 5-bladed Hartzell constant speed propellers, 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 285 kn (328 mph, 528 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 210 kn (240 mph, 390 km/h)
  • Range: 2,140 nmi (2,460 mi, 3,960 km) with 45 minute reserve and long-range fuel tank
  • Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. "History".
  2. "DC-3 News".
  3. "Power and Performance". Archived from the original on 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  4. "BT-67 Worldwide".
  5. "Aeronave AC47 Fantasma culmina fase de inspección mayor en CAMAN". Colombian Air Force. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  6. "Colombia's AC-47T Fantasmas Are Still Going Strong". War Is Boring. 3 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  7. "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  8. Rivas 2015, p. 120.
  9. Hoyle 2015, p. 37.
  10. "Basler BT-67 aircraft". Australian Antarctic Division. Archived from the original on 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  11. Charter flights page for Enterprise Aviation Group operated by ALCI Aviation
  12. "Air Fleet page at Kenn Borek Air". Archived from the original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  13. "China to facilitate aviation support in Antarctic research expeditions". Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014.
  14. "China to deploy aircraft in Antarctica expedition". Xinhua. September 25, 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  15. Ehemalige Flugzeuge Archived 11 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine (in German) Alfred Wegener Institute – Former airplanes, accessed: 18 April 2009
  16. "As civilian, reservist 'leads' in fight against forest fires". arpc.afrc.af.mil. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  17. Flight International 24–30 April 1991, p. 42.
  18. Michell 1994, pp. 245–246.
  • "Born Again Basler". Flight International. Vol. 139, no. 4264. 24–30 April 1991. pp. 40–43.
  • Hoyle, Craig (8–14 December 2015). "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International. Vol. 188, no. 5517. pp. 26–53. ISSN 0015-3710.
  • Michell, Simon (1994). Jane's Civil and Military Upgrades 1994–95. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.
  • Rivas, Santiago (October 2015). "Fighting Colombia's Drug War". Air International. Vol. 89, no. 4. pp. 118–121. ISSN 0306-5634.
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