These upgraded aircraft had new outer wing panels with modest sweepback, a longer and strengthened fuselage, enlarged tail unit, modified nacelles to enclose the undercarriage totally and up-rated R-1820 engines. As a result, the overall capability and performance factors were increased substantially.

Affectionately known as the "Gooney Bird", the last naval C-117 in operation retired in 1982 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan. Ferried to the United States, it was reassembled and made its last flight from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, California, to MCAS El Toro, California. Many commercial versions of the DC-3 remain in use throughout the world.