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Basler BT-67

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Douglas DC-3 modified with turboprop engines

BT-67
A BT-67 of theGuatemalan Air Force
General information
Type	Utility aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Basler Turbo Conversions
Status	In service
Number built	68^[1]
History
Manufactured	1990–present^[2]
First flight	1990
Developed from	Douglas DC-3 Douglas C-47 Skytrain

TheBasler BT-67 is autility aircraft produced by Basler Turbo Conversions ofOshkosh, Wisconsin. It is aremanufactured and modifiedDouglas C-47 Skytrain /Douglas DC-3; the modifications are designed to significantly extend the DC-3's serviceable lifetime.

Design and development

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Basler Turbo Conversions was founded in 1990 solely focused on converting existing C-47/DC-3 airframes into the BT-67.^[2] Basler configures each new build to the client's specifications. Industries served include cargo, military, cloudseeding, and scientific research.^[3]^[4] The conversion includes fitting the airframe with newPratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines,^[5] lengthening thefuselage, strengthening theairframe, upgrading theavionics, and making modifications to the wingleading edges andwingtips.

Due to the 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

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The Basler BT-67 has agunship version used by theColombian Aerospace Force as of 2017^[update] forcounterinsurgency operations.^[6]^[7] The Colombian gunships are equipped with aforward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enabling the aircraft to conduct effective nighttime missions.^[8]^[9]

Operators

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Basler BT-67 conversion No. 1, N200AN of World Air Logistics, atMissoula, Montana in 2000

Military

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Colombia

El Salvador

Salvadoran Air Force^[12]

Guatemala

Guatemalan Air Force^[10]

Mali

Malian Air Force^[10]

Mauritania

Islamic Air Force of Mauritania^[10]

Thailand

Royal Thai Air Force^[10]

Civilian

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Australia

Australian Antarctic Division^[13]
A BT-67 operated by Enterprise Aviation Group atOshawa Executive Airport

Canada

China

Polar Research Institute of China^[16]^[17]

Germany

Alfred Wegener Institute^[18]

United Kingdom

Bell Geospace^[19]

United States

United States Forest Service^[20]

Future operators

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Argentina

Argentine Air Force:

On 18 April 2024, theState Department approved a possible sale of BT-67s intended for theArgentinian Air Force with an estimated cost of $143 million, with the main contractor beingBasler Turbo Conversions.^[21]^[22]

Accidents and incidents

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

As of 2019, a total of 15 BT-67 aircraft have been involved in crashes or other incidents since the 1990s.^{[citation needed]}

Specifications (BT-67)

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Data from Born Again Basler^[23] and Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994–95^[24]

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-bladedHartzell 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)

References

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^"DC-3 News".
^^a ^b"History".
^^a ^b"Power and Performance".Archived from the original on 2015-07-01. Retrieved2015-07-01.
^"BT-67 Worldwide".
^Spaeth, Andreas (February 2023)."Making old new again: Reinventing the legendary Douglas DC 3".AEROREPORT. MTU Aero Engines. Retrieved9 January 2024.
^"Aeronave AC47 Fantasma culmina fase de inspección mayor en CAMAN". Colombian Air Force. Archived fromthe original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved10 August 2017.
^"Basler BT-67 Utility Aircraft, USA".Airforce Technology. 2024-04-26. Archived fromthe original on 2024-09-01. Retrieved2024-09-02.The Mauritania Air Force employs it for logistical support, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks while the Colombian Air Force uses it as a gunship for counterinsurgency operations.
^"Colombia's AC-47T Fantasmas Are Still Going Strong".War Is Boring. 3 October 2016.Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved16 August 2017.
^"Argentina to reinforce Antarctic operations with US Basler BT-67 aircraft".Army Recognition. 2024-04-19. Retrieved2024-09-01.In addition, a gunship version of the Basler BT-67 has been in use by the Colombian Aerospace Force since 2017. These aircraft, equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enhance their capability for nighttime missions.
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e"World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved15 April 2022.
^Rivas 2015, p. 120.
^Hoyle 2015, p. 37.
^"Basler BT-67 aircraft". Australian Antarctic Division. 31 October 2012.Archived from the original on 2019-07-02. Retrieved2019-07-02.
^Charter flights page for Enterprise Aviation Group operated by ALCI Aviation
^"Air Fleet page at Kenn Borek Air". Archived fromthe original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved2011-02-25.
^"China to facilitate aviation support in Antarctic research expeditions". Archived fromthe original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved9 January 2014.
^"China to deploy aircraft in Antarctica expedition".Xinhua. September 25, 2015.Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved15 February 2019.
^Ehemalige Flugzeuge Archived 11 April 2013 at theWayback Machine(in German) Alfred Wegener Institute – Former airplanes, accessed: 18 April 2009
^"Low-flying plane returns to Cornwall for surveys".BBC News. 13 December 2024. Retrieved13 December 2024.
^"As civilian, reservist 'leads' in fight against forest fires". arpc.afrc.af.mil. 21 September 2015. Retrieved15 April 2022.
^"Argentina – Basler BT-67 Aircraf" (News Release).Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 2024-04-18. Archived fromthe original on 2024-08-11. Retrieved2024-09-01.
^Hill, John (2024-04-19)."Argentina makes progress in air force modernisation with BT-67 aircraft".Airforce Technology. Retrieved2024-09-01.
^Flight International 24–30 April 1991, p. 42.
^Michell 1994, pp. 245–246.

"Born Again Basler".Flight International. Vol. 139, no. 4264. 24–30 April 1991. pp. 40–43. Archived fromthe original on September 2, 2017.
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.

External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toBasler BT-67.

Douglas DC-3 family

Civil/Commercial

Military

CG-17

R2D
R4D
- -2/4
- -8

After-market

Foreign production

Airspeed (United Kingdom)	AS.23
Kamov (Soviet Union)	Ka-Li-2
GAZ (Soviet Union)	Li-2 Li-3 PS-84
Nakajima (Japan)	DC-2 L2D
Showa (Japan)	L2D

Reporting names

Accidents & Incidents

Notable aircraft

Topics

See also: Douglas DC-4 family; McDonnell Douglas DC-9 family

v t e United Statesmilitary transport aircraft designations, Army/Air Force andTri-Service systems
Army/Air Force sequence (1925–1962)	C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7 C-8 C-9 C-10 C-11 C-12 C-13¹ C-14 C-15 C-16 C-17 C-18 C-19 C-20 C-21 C-22 C-23 C-24 C-25 C-26 C-27 C-28 C-29 C-30 C-31 C-32 C-33 C-34 C-35 C-36 C-37 C-38 C-39 C-40 C-41 C-41A C-42 C-43 C-44 C-45 C-46 C-47 C-47F C-47T AC-47 C-48 C-49 C-50 C-51 C-52 C-53 C-54 C-55 C-56 C-57 C-58 C-59 C-60 C-61 C-62 C-63 C-64 C-65 C-66 C-67 C-68 C-69 C-70 C-70B C-71 C-72 C-73 C-74 C-75 C-76 C-77 C-77B–D C-78 C-79 C-80 C-81 C-82 C-83 C-83A C-83B C-84 C-85 C-86 C-87 C-88 C-89 C-90 C-91 C-92 C-93 C-94 C-95 C-96 C-97 KC-97 C-98 C-99 C-100 C-101 C-102 C-103 C-104 C-105 C-106 C-107 C-108 C-109 C-110 C-111 C-112 C-113 C-114 C-115 C-116 C-117 C-117D C-118 C-119 AC-119 C-120 C-121 C-121F EC-121 C-122 C-123 C-123A C-124 C-125 C-126 C-127² C-127 (I) C-127 (II) C-128 C-129 C-130 C-130J AC-130 DC-130 EC-130/H HC-130 KC-130 LC-130 MC-130 WC-130 C-131 NC-131H C-132 C-133 C-134 C-135 KC-135 C-136 C-137² YC-137 (I) YC-137 (II) C-137 C-138¹ C-139¹ C-140 C-141 C-142
Tri-service sequence (1962–present)	C-1 C-2 C-3 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-7² C-7 RC-7 C-8 C-9 C-10² C-10 KC-10 C-11 C-12 RC-12 C-13¹ C-14 C-15 C-16¹ C-17 C-18 C-19 C-20² C-20A–D C-20F–J C-21 C-22 C-23 C-24 C-25 C-26 C-27 C-27J C-28 C-29 C-30¹ C-31 C-32 C-33 C-34¹ C-35 C-36³ C-37 C-37B C-38 C-39¹ C-40 C-41 C-42¹ C-43¹ C-44¹ C-45 C-46
Revived original sequence (2005–present)	C-143 C-144 C-145 C-146 C-147
Non-sequential designations	C-767 C-880
Related designations	CT-39 CT-43 CV-2 CV-7
¹ Not assigned • ² Assigned to multiple types • ³ Unconfirmed

v t e Royal Thai Armed Forces transport aircraft designations
B.L (Transport)	B.L.1 B.L.2 A B.JL.2 B.L.3 B.L.4 B.L.5 B.L.6 B.TL.7 B.L.8 B.L.9 B.L.10 B.L.11 A/B C B.TL.12 B.L.13 B.L.14 B.L.15 B.L.16 B.L.17 B.L.18 B.L.19 B.TL.20
B.LL (Naval transport)	B.LL.1 B.LL.2