Designed and flown originally since 1935 as a commerical aircraft known as the Douglas DC-3, the military quickly saw the plane's merits as a transport, tow plane, air ambulance and more during World War II. Designated by the American armed forces as the C-41, C47, C-48 and many more names, including the Navy's "R4D" and Canada's "Dakota" monikers, as the military version of the DC-3, the DC-3 and various models were a very successful platform with 16,079 constructed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. Many are still flying today (2023).