Lisunow (Douglas) Li-2P (DC-3)

Lisunow (Douglas) Li-2P (DC-3)

The PS-84 is a modified version of the Douglas DC-3 which was first flown in USSR in 1939, and later produced for the Soviet Government. Before WW II, the USSR looked for a modern passenger and cargo aircraft. In 1936, the Soviet Government recommended the V.M.Myasichev and Boris P. Lisunow, to build the DC-3 in the Factory No.84 near Moscow (later in Tashkent, Kazan and Konsomolsk/Amur) under a licensing agreement with Douglas. When production ended in 1953, 4863(?) PS-84 (on 1942 renamed the Li-2) had been produced for the USSR and foreign owners. They carried passengers and cargo and in a combat role, evacuated wounded, towed troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops into enemy territory. War-time armament - one 12.7 mm machine gun in upper turret, one fixed 7.62 in nose and two 7.62 guns in waist positions. Bomber version could carry up to four 250 kg bombs.
Polish Air Force was using about 20 Li-2T between 1944 and 1974. 40 Li-2P remained in LOT Polish Airlines from 1945 until 1965. Occasionally Li-2 had been used as agricultural and photogrammetric.

Museum Example

Manufacturer: Aviation Factory No.84 (Tashkent - Uzbekistan - formerly part of the Soviet Union)
Manufacture Date: 1945
Serial #: 18423203
Last Registration #: SP-LAS

History

The Li-2P on display painted nickname "Stasiek", had been delivered to the LOT Polish Airlines in 14 June 1946 and flown up to 30 November 1961 (after wing structure fatigue moved to non fly status).
1963, To Tourist Center in Sobieszow.
It was moved to the Museum on September 8, 1989.

Technical data

Wingspan: 28.81 m
Length: 19.64 m
Height: 5.15
Empty Weight: 7,600 kg
Operational Weight: 11,000 kg
Maximum Speed: 320 kph
Cruising Speed: 250 kph
Service Ceiling: 5,600 m
Range: 2,000 km
Crew: two pilots, navigator, board engineer, radio operator + 21 passengers
Powerplant: two ASh-62IR, 1,000 hp 9 cylinder radial engines