HiRecently I have taken an interest in the DC-3. I was looking up modern DC-3 photos online when I noticed that many modern DC-3s have a forked antenna mounted on the cabin roof. Is this the VOR/ILS antenna? What is the long wire leading up to the tail for?To clarify, here's a pic of N97H on approach. All credit goes to Airliners.net for the great photo.Could somebody please explain in plain English what all the antennae do? And is this example (N97H) representative of all modern DC-3s? Are modern DC-3s IFR equipped?

The wire antennas are for HF comms.The V-shaped antennas are for VHF comm/nav (VOR/ILS), although for most aircraft these days the antenna is fin-shaped.Many moons ago aircraft also sported a loop ADF (MF antenna) above or below the cockpit that the pilot could orient to track NDBs.The X-15 also had UHF antennas for telemetry downlink. Many aircraft today have bulge-shaped and even flat UHF antennas for GPS, and for telephone and Internet satellite links in the case of airliners.Cheers,- jahman.

That long aerial can be the sense antenna for the ADF as well. Most of our older Cessna 172's have them for that reason.

That long aerial can be the sense antenna for the ADF as well. Most of our older Cessna 172's have them for that reason.

But the long wire aerial can't be oriented! Do you find the null by turning the aircraft instead? I must be missing something...Cheers,- jahman.

The loop antenna can resolve the bearing to and from a station but not which is which. The sense antenna is used to differentiate between the two. Newer, more expensive ADF antenna can incorporate both the loop and sensein one housing.Ron

Many DC-3s operated today will be equipped with more modern avionics to allow flights in IMC (see links further down for pics), some modernised ones go even further, such as those created by the United States Aircraft Corporation and Basler, both of which feature replacement PT6A turboprop engines and a stretched fuselage created by the insertion of an extra section (typically 40 inches behind the cockpit). They also get strengthened wings, metal control surfaces, a new electrical system and a fully modernised avionics package. These DC-3s are then renamed as either Turbo Express DC-3s, or Basler BT-67s.If you do a search on www.airliners.net for the Basler BT-67, you will find some cockpit shots of them with modern avionics, or you can take a look at Basler's website here: http://www.baslerturbo.com/DEFAULT.aspxYou can find a freebie Basler BT-67 in the Avsim file library, which is now also available as an expanded FSX payware package with more paint jobs (by Dirk Stuck Design). Note that it is a bit basic and the paint jobs are frankly, crap, so think hard about it before spending the money when you can get the freebie one for nothing, however, I am currently in the process of souping the payware one's textures and a merge with a decent DC-3 cockpit that will have modern avionics, so that'll be available soon (and free). Here' a pic of that in progress, where I am currently adding all the panel lines and door details that are not on it as it comes, which is a tedious process since there is no paintkit, but should make it look considerably better when completed (notice this model has all modern avionics housings and antennas):Al