nimrod.michaeli
Airman
- 26
- Mar 28, 2009
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
WTF? I missed the point of that post Waynos. What was it again?
Hi,
No one is doubting the importance of this wonderful aircraft in regards to its history in aviation. But I am not so sure I'd go as far to say it was the most important aircraft of WW2.
river
Hi,
I hear what you are saying, but it is still debatable.
I don't doubt the importance of the C47, but without it in WW2, what would be the effect?
And without a logistic system that would include and efficent and effective transport all these aircraft in many cases would have just sat on the ground lacking parts and/ or fuel.Let's also look at a couple of other highly important aircraft....
The P51
Without this there would be limited cover for daylight bombing operations. The loss od bombers and their crews would be horrendous. less bombers would make it to target and therefore the german industry would not be as damaged, and therefore be able to continue production.
The B17
Without this there would be a vast reduction in bomb laying capacity of the Allies. Again, this would allow the german industry to be less disrupted and be able to manufacture more weapons.
The Hurricane
Without it Britain would of possibly fallen during the BoB.
The B29
Without this the Japanese industry would of been able to continue, and their civilians not demoralised by incendary raids. There would be no nukes, which would of made the taking of the Japanese homeland a blood bath.
The Lancaster
Without this there would be no night operations and half of the 24hr bombing cycle on Germany would be on existant. Again, this gives time for the German industry to be able to produce more arms.
As I said, I don't doubt the importance of the C47, but the above aircraft also worked as hard to help win the war. I couldn't put the C47 as more important than the above aircraft.
river
Every branch of the U.S military and all the major allied powers flew it. The U.S. Navy version was the R4D. The British and the Australians designated it the Dakota (a clever acronym comprised of the letters DACoTA for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft). The aircraft operated from every continent in the world and participated in every major battle. By the end of World War II, more than 10,000 had been built. For all of its official and unofficial names, it came to be known universally as the Gooney Bird. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, termed it one of the most vital pieces of military equipment used in winning the war.
If the Supreme Commander calls it one of the most vital pieces of equipment used to win the war, I would say that it was real important.