Douglas R4D-5 "Skytrain"
Historical Information:
The Coast Guard acquired a number of the ubiquitous Douglas transport from the Navy. The initial acquisition consisted of at least eight aircraft delivered beginning in May, 1943 through mid-1944. They were used for search and rescue duties, as transports, and logistic support work, including flying supplies to the various LORAN stations under construction around the world at that time. At least three other R4D-5's were acquired from the Navy in mid-1946 as well.
All but four R4D-5's were removed from service by 1956 and only one, BuNo 12446, remained in service by 1961.
"The R4D-5, known also as the DC-3 'Skytrain' is a transport type plane used by the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue, intercept, and logistics purposes. Eight of these were acquired by the Coast Guard between May 1943 and July 1944 of World War II."; 29 March 1950; Photo No. CPI-03-29-50-(02); photographer unknown.
"U.S. Coast Guard R4D plane, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Port Angeles, Washington."; June, 1950; no photo number; photographer unknown.
"U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, R4D Overhaul, comp. of."; 28 May 1947; Photo No. 895; photo by Kranz.
No caption; 29 March 1950; Photo No. API-03-29-50(4); photographer unknown; On tarmac, view from starboard, forward-quarter.
Sources:
Gordon Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1990-third edition), pp. 174-175.
Arthur Pearcy, U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Since 1916 (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1991), pp. 186-189.