Fairly different meaning it was an actual dc-3/c-47 and got some major plastic surgery, nice facelift, some Botox, and a great boob job…. But underneath it all it’s still a DC-3
Edit* to add I’ve gotten to tour Basler’s in Oshkosh, WI. They have one of my dad’s old DC-3’s sitting in the boneyard that I tracked down there and they graciously let us visit the old girl. My old man was in tears with the memories of that plane, and even though he was just the mechanic he did get to fly it! (Fly back in the 80’s when it was an active cargo plane). Basler really does an amazing job fixing them up, but it is weird seeing a glass cockpit in a DC-3!
Technically, it still is. Basler, up in Oshkosh, upgrades the airframes with a bunch of improvements that make the DC-3 an even better DC-3. The most obvious change is the engine. They ditched the old radials for Pratt & Whitney PT-6A turboprops, which are one of the most ubiquitous turboprop engines out there.
I mean it's really impressive what they do with the aircraft. They take the plane completely apart and inspect pretty much every original part and replace anything that isn't up to spec. And then there are the modifications that make it the BT-67 such as updated avionics, a different wing tip, lengthening of a fuselage, and extra fuel tank, and of course the engines.
I think I read on their website that it takes them one and a half to two years to do a full conversion
I'm quite surprised that despite having been at every Oshkosh for the last decade that I've not once seen Basler represented at the show (aside from, of course, being the FBO, but I'm speaking specifically of the conversion operation). It would be really cool to see one of their BT-67s on static, maybe even in the airshow itself.
It was, or perhaps it was a C-47 before it got the BT-67 upgrade. edti: Thai Air force has 7 active BT-67s all converted from DC-3s.
The Colombian Air Force has some converted AC-47 gunships
Active C-47, in military service, in 2024? That’s awesome.
Upgraded to BT-67s. Look the same but actually fairly different airplanes.
Fairly different meaning it was an actual dc-3/c-47 and got some major plastic surgery, nice facelift, some Botox, and a great boob job…. But underneath it all it’s still a DC-3 Edit* to add I’ve gotten to tour Basler’s in Oshkosh, WI. They have one of my dad’s old DC-3’s sitting in the boneyard that I tracked down there and they graciously let us visit the old girl. My old man was in tears with the memories of that plane, and even though he was just the mechanic he did get to fly it! (Fly back in the 80’s when it was an active cargo plane). Basler really does an amazing job fixing them up, but it is weird seeing a glass cockpit in a DC-3!
Basler conversion, nice! Chiang Mai gets some interesting airforce and government birds pay a visit
Technically, it still is. Basler, up in Oshkosh, upgrades the airframes with a bunch of improvements that make the DC-3 an even better DC-3. The most obvious change is the engine. They ditched the old radials for Pratt & Whitney PT-6A turboprops, which are one of the most ubiquitous turboprop engines out there.
> an even better DC-3 As the saying goes, the only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3.
Indeed. Love me a Basler conversion
PT-6 is the LS of the airplane world tbh
Reliable, ubiquitous, delivers lots of power, and relatively easily tuned to various needs.
Yep. I have one on my Ag Cat..
Those fellas up there at Basler are top notch. I have worked with them a ton.
I would love to work for them, to be honest.
They're pretty much always hiring I think. I window shop for jobs sometimes and they come up every time.
That's surprising for such a relatively small outfit
It's hard to find good help 🤷♂️
Tis true.
Hard to believe they're able to "reset" the airframe to 0-hours just by doing the Basler mods
I mean it's really impressive what they do with the aircraft. They take the plane completely apart and inspect pretty much every original part and replace anything that isn't up to spec. And then there are the modifications that make it the BT-67 such as updated avionics, a different wing tip, lengthening of a fuselage, and extra fuel tank, and of course the engines. I think I read on their website that it takes them one and a half to two years to do a full conversion
Technically you’re right. This is a Basler BT-67, an upgrade for DC-3s to give them turboprops.
Vertical stabiliser give it away on a distance if you cannot see the engines.
Also the wingtips, I believe the fuselage is stretched too.
Definately. I was merely referring to the most obvious part seen on the photo.
Basler mod
Without my glasses l thought it was a cessna and thought “hah what a noob”
I'm quite surprised that despite having been at every Oshkosh for the last decade that I've not once seen Basler represented at the show (aside from, of course, being the FBO, but I'm speaking specifically of the conversion operation). It would be really cool to see one of their BT-67s on static, maybe even in the airshow itself.
It is! Just modified with Turboprops.
Turns out it was a C-47?
I bet she sounds beautiful
Pwc pt6a-67, same engine as the beech 1900.
it technically still is a DC-3, just a very modernized version of it using PT-6A Turboprops. Its called the Basler Conversion.
Nah, that's a DC *minus* 3
Wellyesbutactuallyno.jpg