Li-2, the russian version of the DC-3

[SenorSpode]

Just me, but I'd've landed and taken off from the hard runway; dirt/turf/grass runways are far harder on the struts. The plane was initially built for that kind of life, but the plane is old and parts aren't as easy to come by.

[SenorSpode]

The Li-2 was reverse-engineered from DC-3s sent to the USSR under the WW2 Lend-Lease program. It's nice to see a few examples left, we here in the states call it the DC-3ski as a joke, but reverently so. Keep 'er flying!

[tarkalak]

@SenorSpode Wikipedia says that it wasn't reverse engineered but the russians made contract to produce iit before WW2.

[SenorSpode]

@tarkalak You're right; I have an old copy of Air International Magazine and it features a Soviet-painted DC-3 and they made clear distinction in the footnote that it was not a license-built Li-2, so you're fight. Good observation!

[cessna175]

Nice, very unique sound, totally different than a DC-3...

[TomekKogutah]

@cessna175 yes, DC-3 (or C-47) Have Pratt&Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp engines with 1216hp, but the Lisunov Li-2 Have Shwietsov ASz-62 IR with 1000hp engines (An-2 have the same). That's why you can hear difference.

[GUNNFIGHTER6]

I would think the reason for landing off runway and taking off on runway would be to show the rough field handling of the aircraft. Most all soviet aircraft were built for rough field conditions.

[AK49Gunner]

I flew in a DC3 once, sweet plane.

[BEM5823]

Éeletemben először ezzel a géppel repültem. Az Gödöllőn volt és nagyon tetszett :)

[ness19dsm]

cool plane! it's probably from the 50s!

[Finyo109]

You're almost right:) This plane was manufactured in the USSR, in 1949.

It flew until 1974, and the Goldtimer Foundation made it airworthy, in 2001.