Translated freely from Ny Teknik:
When German polar researchers needed to acquire a further research plane, they selected the Basler BT-67, a newly built version of the classic DC3.
The Basler BT-67 fitted with skis: image Ny Teknik
The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research needed to supplement its fleet of aircraft that can fly over the Arctic and Antarctic. They already had good experience with their Polar 5 and have now ordered another, Polar 6, to perform measurements simultaneously over the two poles.
The plane chosen is a Basler BT-67, basically a modern version of the classic DC3 built today by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA.
Compared with a classic DC3 the Basler is 40 inches longer, has 35 percent more volume, can load 43 percent more cargo, is 24 percent faster and carries twice as much fuel.
Instead of reciprocating engines in the original DC3 the Basler is equipped with turboprop engines from Pratt & Whitney.
Warren Basler, who founded the company, thought it was a pity that such a sound design as the DC3 would not live on. The company has been making planes since 1990.
The Basler BT-67 is a conversion of the DC-3. Basler refurbishes DC-3s at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, fitting them with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67R turboprop engines, lengthening the fuselage by 40 in (100 cm) with a fuselage plug ahead of the wing and strengthening the airframe in selected areas. The airframe is rated as having “zero accumulated fatigue damage.” This and extensive modifications to various systems and avionics result in a practically brand-new aircraft. The BT-67s have been supplied to civil and military customers in several countries.
The 75th Anniversary of the DC-3’s first flight will be on December 17, 2010.
The Classic DC3 has been flying since 1935: image http://www.wmof.com
Tags: 75th anniversary of DC3, Aviation, Basler BT-67, Douglas DC-3, polar research
The k2p blog 
December 1, 2010 at 2:35 am
A DC-3 also went into service this year with the Chatham Pacific airline in Tonga. This is a regular scheduled service, rather than a tourist novelty. Chatham Pacific also operates 1950s Convair CV580s in Tonga and in New Zealand.