I am starting a project to convert Trupeter’s 1/48 C-47A to a B model. So far, I have not been able to find any materials descibing the external differnces, if any. I have the Squadron Signal book and it is not helpful on this point. The only info obtained to date is that the B model was supercharged for high altitude performance flying “the Hump”. Also some spec sheets show slight differences in wing span and length but not enough to warrant surgery. Direction to any source would help.
The Revell/Monogram C-47 or AC-47 may have the parts you need… I’ve got both kits in the stash… If you can tell me exactly which parts you need, I may have them for ya…
I can’t think of anything that would change the wing span on a DC-3/C-47. The DC-2 which also was used by the military had a shorter span but the fuselage was also very different with flattened sides. The length can vary if a radome was added in place of the nose cap, but I’m not sure that ever happened during the war. The other thing that could affect the length is the tail fairing. It was cropped on some to allow for glider towing apparatus. The C-47A and C-47B might have different air intakes on the top of the nacelles, I think these fairings were much longer on the supercharged engines, but can’t remember for sure right now the exact details. As usual, try to find pictures of the exact airplane you want to model. The C-47 had a long list of designations, from C-39 to C-53 at least.
A good book on the DC-3 is by Carroll Glines, The Amazing Gooney Bird.
The differences between the A and the B are interanl fuel capacity was added, engines upgraded to R-1830-90 and superchargers where added for flying the “Hump” Interesting note, after the war the superchargers where removed and the A/C where then called C-47D