Basler BT-67 explained

BT-67
Type:Utility aircraft
National Origin:United States
Manufacturer:Basler Turbo Conversions
First Flight:1990
Status:In service
Produced:1990–present[1]
Number Built:68[2]
Developed From:Douglas DC-3
Douglas C-47 Skytrain

The Basler BT-67 is a utility aircraft produced by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is a remanufactured and modified Douglas C-47 Skytrain / Douglas DC-3; the modifications are designed to significantly extend the DC-3's serviceable lifetime.

Design and development

Basler Turbo Conversions was founded in 1990 solely focused on converting existing C-47/DC-3 airframes into the BT-67.[3] Basler configures each new build to the client's specifications. Industries served include cargo, military, cloudseeding, and scientific research.[4] [5] The conversion includes fitting the airframe with new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines,[6] lengthening the fuselage, strengthening the airframe, upgrading the avionics, and making modifications to the wing leading edges and wingtips.

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 1160nmi950nmi. Basler provides a long-range fuel tank which increases the aircraft range to 2140nmi.

Gunship version

The Basler BT-67 has a gunship version used by the Colombian Aerospace Force for counterinsurgency operations.[7] [8] The Colombian gunships are equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) ball, enabling the aircraft to conduct effective nighttime missions.[9] [10]

Operators

Military

Civilian

United Kingdom

Future operators

On 18 April 2024, the State Department approved a possible sale of BT-67s intended for the Argentinian Air Force with an est. cost of $143 million, with the main contractor being Basler Turbo Conversions.[22] [23]

Accidents and incidents

As of 2019, a total of 15 BT-67 aircraft have been involved in crashes or other incidents since the 1990s.

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History .
  2. Web site: DC-3 News .
  3. Web site: History .
  4. Web site: Power and Performance . 2015-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150701141510/http://www.baslerturbo.com/power-and-performance.html . 2015-07-01 . live .
  5. Web site: BT-67 Worldwide .
  6. Web site: Spaeth . Andreas . Making old new again: Reinventing the legendary Douglas DC 3 . AEROREPORT . MTU Aero Engines . 9 January 2024 . February 2023.
  7. Web site: Aeronave AC47 Fantasma culmina fase de inspección mayor en CAMAN. Colombian Air Force. 10 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105309/https://www.fac.mil.co/aeronave-ac47-fantasma-culmina-fase-de-inspecci%C3%B3n-mayor-en-caman-1. 11 August 2017. dead.
  8. Web site: Basler BT-67 Utility Aircraft, USA. 2024-04-26. 2024-09-02. Airforce Technology. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20240901225429/https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/basler-bt-67-utility-aircraft-usa/. 2024-09-01. 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..
  9. Web site: Colombia's AC-47T Fantasmas Are Still Going Strong. War Is Boring. 16 August 2017. 3 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816233649/https://warisboring.com/colombias-ac-47t-fantasmas-are-still-going-strong/. 16 August 2017. live.
  10. Web site: Argentina to reinforce Antarctic operations with US Basler BT-67 aircraft.. 2024-04-19. 2024-09-01. Army Recognition. en. 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..
  11. Web site: World Air Forces 2022. Flightglobal Insight . 2022 . 15 April 2022. registration.
  12. Rivas 2015, p. 120.
  13. Hoyle 2015, p. 37.
  14. Web site: Basler BT-67 aircraft. 31 October 2012 . Australian Antarctic Division. 2019-07-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20190702002234/http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/travel-and-logistics/aviation/intracontinental-operations/basler-bt-67-aircraft. 2019-07-02. live.
  15. https://www.enterpriseaviationgroup.com/charter-flights/ Charter flights page for Enterprise Aviation Group operated by ALCI Aviation
  16. Web site: Air Fleet page at Kenn Borek Air . 2011-02-25 . 2011-03-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110316041914/http://www.borekair.com/index.php/our-fleet . dead .
  17. Web site: China to facilitate aviation support in Antarctic research expeditions. 9 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140112204514/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-09/26/c_131160781.htm. 12 January 2014.
  18. News: China to deploy aircraft in Antarctica expedition . 15 February 2019 . Xinhua . September 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151015055437/http://china.org.cn/china/2015-09/25/content_36682868.htm . 15 October 2015 . live .
  19. http://www.awi.de/de/infrastruktur/fluggeraete/forschungsflugzeuge/ehemalige_flugzeuge/ Ehemalige Flugzeuge
  20. Web site: Low-flying plane returns to Cornwall for surveys . BBC News . 13 December 2024 . 13 December 2024.
  21. Web site: As civilian, reservist 'leads' in fight against forest fires . arpc.afrc.af.mil . 21 September 2015. 15 April 2022.
  22. Web site: Argentina – Basler BT-67 Aircraf. 2024-04-18. 2024-09-01. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. en. News Release. https://web.archive.org/web/20240811020643/https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/argentina-basler-bt-67-aircraft. 2024-08-11.
  23. Web site: Argentina makes progress in air force modernisation with BT-67 aircraft. 2024-04-19. 2024-09-01. Airforce Technology. Hill. John.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Basler BT-67".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.