C-47/DC-3

[davparlr]

I was going to list the major land battles fougth by the western allies in which the C-47 played an important role. I think it would be easier to list battles in which the C-47 did not provide important service. Any ideas?

 

[evangilder]

The C–47 and its relatives (Dakota, R4D, etc) not only pioneered in-theater wartime routes but also served as VIP transports, general personnel transports, troop carriers, glider tugs, paratroop assault transports, cargo transports, airborne ambulances, air-sea rescue craft, and special operations aircraft.

According to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Four things won the Second World War—the bazooka, the Jeep, the atom bomb, and the C–47 Gooney Bird."

No other airplane was on that list.

 

[evangilder]

I was going to list the major land battles fougth by the western allies in which the C-47 played an important role. I think it would be easier to list battles in which the C-47 did not provide important service. Any ideas?

I can only think of one place where the C-47 was a second place, "The Hump" across the Himalayas. The C-46 Commando carried a bulk of that, however, the C-47s were also used.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Hi,

If the C47 was the only logistic-capable mechanism of the war then i'd agree.

The vast bulk of fuel, men, ammunition, food and guns was via ships and land supply/trucks. Without the C47 it would be harder, but not impossible.

Without it the war would of probaly gone on longer. But, on the same token, without the other aircraft I mentioned, the war would also of gone on longer.

river

While the other aircraft you mentioned were important contributors to the winning of WW2 by the allies, there has to be a horse in front of the cart. Because of the impact the C-47 DC-3 had on aviation, not only was it the "horse in front of the cart, it was the lead horse on the wagon train."

 

[Junkers88A1]

Hard to say why the data plate doesn't have a delivery date - my guess it was part of a US government contract that allocated money during a specific fiscal year so the delivery date didn't matter, but this is just a guess.

Junkers - I've been told by a few friends who had the opportunity to fly a C-47 that it is a dream to fly and this is another attribute that places it on the top aviation pedestal. I taxied one but never had the opportunity to fly one.

that is really a good guess i think you are on to something there
and YES..its a dream to fly the C-47. if you ever get the oppertunity to try it grab it and hold on
that lady really fly so smooth and reacts to every command as a dream. best plane i have ever flown

and when thinking about the history of the C-47/DC-3 there is none even close

 

[davparlr]

I can only think of one place where the C-47 was a second place, "The Hump" across the Himalayas. The C-46 Commando carried a bulk of that, however, the C-47s were also used.

You are certainly right about the unheralded but important C-46. I am sure, however, that the C-47 contributed mightily on both sides of the "Hump".