Douglas C-47 Skytrain D-Day paratroopers
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Cabin lights were fitted down the centre of the roof, and were dome shaped. there were, I think, six of these, each approximately six inches in diameter, and were diffused. They wouldn't normally be used on operations, for obvious reasons, but if they were switched on, they would normally be fitted with a dim blue bulb.
The jump lights were mounted on a rectangular box, about two inches deep, four wide and eight high, just to the right (forward) of the door frame, at eye level. The red 'Stand By' light was on the top of the front face of the 'box', with the green 'Go' or 'Jump' lamp beneath, both approximately three inches in diameter, and dome shaped.
Depending on the unit concerned, there was sometimes a second set of these lamps, slightly smaller in diameter, mounted directly above the door.
Hope this helps a bit, but someone might have more detailed info and/or pictures or drawings.
The jump lights were mounted on a rectangular box, about two inches deep, four wide and eight high, just to the right (forward) of the door frame, at eye level. The red 'Stand By' light was on the top of the front face of the 'box', with the green 'Go' or 'Jump' lamp beneath, both approximately three inches in diameter, and dome shaped.
Depending on the unit concerned, there was sometimes a second set of these lamps, slightly smaller in diameter, mounted directly above the door.
Hope this helps a bit, but someone might have more detailed info and/or pictures or drawings.
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vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Nice piC there VB. Judging by the para's helmets and kit, it's post war, but the interior is the same anyway, apart from maybe the suspension bars above the guys heads. I've got film footage of the jump lights somewhere I think, on old VHS tape, but don't know if I can find a photograph. If you're stuck, I could do a sketch and drawing though.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Ok, this took forever and a day to find:
It's from this website: Gallery Daly History Blog
Hope it helps.
David
It's from this website: Gallery Daly History Blog
Hope it helps.
David
Attachments
James Daly
Recruit
- 1
- Dec 17, 2009
Hi guys, thats me in the pic there 
I hope its useful! It was taken at Shoreham Airshow, August 2009 here in the UK.
My Grandad was an Arnhem Para and would have jumped out of one of these, so its been a lifetime ambition of mine to have a look inside one.
I hope its useful! It was taken at Shoreham Airshow, August 2009 here in the UK.My Grandad was an Arnhem Para and would have jumped out of one of these, so its been a lifetime ambition of mine to have a look inside one.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Well James, apparently you are the only person in the entire world that has a pic of the jump lights so it's much appreciated! Hope you didn't mind me posting the entire pic. BTW, welcome aboard!
If you have pics of your granddad, we'd love to see them.
David
If you have pics of your granddad, we'd love to see them.
David
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I echo David's post. Love to hear more, as I'm ex-Para, though very post war!
Nice work there David. I notice the entire door and frame has been removed on this 'Dak', not unusual for para-drops. However, the design allowed the door frame to remain locked in place, with the door panel being removed by unlatching three clips, and pulling inwards. Most often, the aircraft flew with the panel open anyway or, as shown, the door removed also.
Nice work there David. I notice the entire door and frame has been removed on this 'Dak', not unusual for para-drops. However, the design allowed the door frame to remain locked in place, with the door panel being removed by unlatching three clips, and pulling inwards. Most often, the aircraft flew with the panel open anyway or, as shown, the door removed also.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Very interesting info, thye put some thought into it. I also had no idea you were one of those people that jumped out of perfectly good aircraft 
Pancho
Recruit
Here is a page out of the C-47 manual...
My dad and my uncle were both in the 460th Parachute field Artillery with the 517th PRCT
My dad and my uncle were both in the 460th Parachute field Artillery with the 517th PRCT
Pancho
Recruit
Another view of a jump light in a C-47.
AIRBORNE!
AIRBORNE!
Wingwrench
Recruit
- 1
- Jul 7, 2010
Folks, My name is JimmyG. and am representing the 1941 Historical Air Group in Geneseo NY. Our C47 needs jump lights. In this section, i have seen 2 different variations, and actually saw lights of the dome type in an aircraft on Long Island. However they were located at the top of the door sill. Does anyone know where a set can be found?
Which are the correct lights and where is the correct placement?
Thank You . My contact is [email protected]
Which are the correct lights and where is the correct placement?
Thank You . My contact is [email protected]
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Hi Jimmy. Both types are correct, and both locations also. I'm not 100% sure, but the dome type might have been of British manufacture, fitted by the RAF. As to where you'd get some, I have no idea, as I think they'd be scarce, compared to parts for other vintage aircraft. It might be easier to have some made, to the same or similar style, which shouldn't be difficulat or expensive.
