Odd C-47 camo scheme

[Maxrobot1]

I spotted this odd looking C-47 while researching the Panama canal during WWII. This photo is of C-47s of the 20th Transport Sq. at Howard Field (later Howard AFB,now Panama Pacific Airport)
The20th Transport Squadron was activated in 1940 and deactivated in 1949, apparently spendind all their time servicing the Canal Zone.
This image is from 1943 and while the left C-47s seem to have Green and O.D. camo, the one on the right stands out.
Would it have been painted in desert-type colors?

 

[Capt. Vick]

Interesting...damned if I know though. Thanks for posting!

 

[GrauGeist]

Looks almost like a desert scheme

 

[syscom3]

That camo was sported on a couple "Puff" gunships in Vietnam.

 

[destrozas]

That camo was sported on a couple "Puff" gunships in Vietnam.

if it seems to be the camouflage of an AC-47

 

[GrauGeist]

Notice some of the other aircraft have a mutli-tone camo, also?

Although not the O.D./Sand coloring of the one on the right, but more of a two-tone green upper.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Yeah it's subtle, but it's there.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Find the book "Air Force Colors: Vol. 1. 1926-1942" and it should explain this camouflage.

 

[Capt. Vick]

I have that. Dana Bell right? I will have to remember to look. Met Mr. Bell once, nice guy.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I have that. Dana Bell right? I will have to remember to look. Met Mr. Bell once, nice guy.

That's the one! I think you'll find that around 1942/ 43 some other aircraft had a similar camouflage scheme as our C-47

Aircraft illustration

 

[barneybolac]

I spotted this odd looking C-47 while researching the Panama canal during WWII. This photo is of C-47s of the 20th Transport Sq. at Howard Field (later Howard AFB,now Panama Pacific Airport)
The20th Transport Squadron was activated in 1940 and deactivated in 1949, apparently spendind all their time servicing the Canal Zone.
This image is from 1943 and while the left C-47s seem to have Green and O.D. camo, the one on the right stands out.
Would it have been painted in desert-type colors?
View attachment 287677View attachment 287678

 

[fubar57]

It belonged to the 20th Transport Squadron or 20th Troop Carrier Squadron depending on the sites I was at