Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Which was the better one? DC-3? Ju 52? SM.82? What did the Japanese, VVS or RAF have to compare to these?
WWII Transports....
- Thread starter Lucky13
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
fastmongrel
1st Sergeant
If the war hadnt got in the way the RAF would have had a nice transport similar in size and performance to the DC 2
de Havilland Flamingo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Till it got the Dakota it had to make do with the Bristol Bombay
Bristol Bombay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and the Handley Page Harrow
Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neither of them star performers but probably roughly the same performance as the Ju 52
de Havilland Flamingo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Till it got the Dakota it had to make do with the Bristol Bombay
Bristol Bombay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and the Handley Page Harrow
Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neither of them star performers but probably roughly the same performance as the Ju 52
syscom3
Pacific Historian
The DC-3 (C47) is one of the all time legendary airplanes of all time.
Your question should be what is #2.
Your question should be what is #2.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
DC-3 hands down. Other aircraft might have been a bit faster and carried a bit more payload, but when you consider all other tangibles the DC-3/ C-47 was probably one of the best over all aircraft ever built - PERIOD!
Colin1
Senior Master Sergeant
Is it true that it was so docile that just about anyone could fly one or is that urban myth?
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
True - my former room mate with about 125 hours flew one and was even coached in landing it.
imalko
Chief Master Sergeant
There's not much to add to this. Even Russians copied it and build it under designation Lisunov Li-2.
In my opinion Ju-52 would take second place for best wartime transport.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I think Igor's got it. It has to be DC3/C47 first, followed by Ju52/3M, and then possibly the Curtiss C46 'Commando', often overlooked.
syscom3
Pacific Historian
The US also had the C54 that played an important behind the scenes roll for the allies.
The C46 Commando is also no slouch, considering its performance in the CBI theater.
The C46 Commando is also no slouch, considering its performance in the CBI theater.
There is no contest here.
The number one transport (and the best aircraft of WW2 in my opinion) is the DC-3/C-47. I do have a sweet spot for the Ju 52 though...
The number one transport (and the best aircraft of WW2 in my opinion) is the DC-3/C-47. I do have a sweet spot for the Ju 52 though...
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
True. I hadn't realised how many C46's were used in the ETO either, until I saw some footage of some para-dropping at Arnhem.
Glider
Captain
It has to be the C47, the Ju 52 achieved a lot but that was probably more to the skill and tenacity of its crews than the ablity of the aircraft. The first time I went in a Ju52 I couldn't believe how small it was.
The Japanese built the DC3 but not in numbers.
The Japanese built the DC3 but not in numbers.
Thorlifter
Captain
I agree with most here. The DC-3/C-47 was the most valuable aircraft of the war.
The Ju-52 was an honorable and distinquished distant 2nd place.
The Ju-52 was an honorable and distinquished distant 2nd place.
syscom3
Pacific Historian
Could the Ju-52 lift the same as the C-46 over the Himalaya's? Did it have the range, payload and speed as the C-54?
The Ju-52 deserves recognition as a good transport for the pre-war era, but not in the same class as what the US deployed after it entered in the war.
Last edited:
The Japanese, VVS and RAF all used the DC-3
I remember watching a video of a Commonwealth airbase somewhere in the Pacific and the ground was a wreck, mud and pools of water everywhere. The other planes were grounded and the C-47's kept taking off and landing delivering crucial supplies. I don't know to many other aircraft that could of done that.To make this thread a little more interesting, what about the best light transport?
Last edited:
RAF Liberators
Airman 1st Class
B-24 Liberator transport conversion (come on what else was I going to say )
But seriously I have to go with what everyone else is saying Dak all the way, hell they are still in operation in some countries, how many other aircraft have that kind of logevity?
)But seriously I have to go with what everyone else is saying Dak all the way, hell they are still in operation in some countries, how many other aircraft have that kind of logevity?
drgondog
Major
The C-46 was a very good 'heavy lift/rough field' C-47.. If the C-46 had been fully operational in 1940 and only one could be picked, I wonder? It had some development problems with the electric pitch control, lack of self sealing tanks, etc but was ideal compromise for twin engine/long haul cargo with a broader capability of loads due to the cargo door size.
I am NOT saying it replaces the legend - but there are still a few operating around the world
drgondog
Major
The lost a bunch on the Rhine drop but so did the C-47 and every other ship that was exposed to German 20/40mm flak.
Interesting thread, since transports are often overlooked, but are usually more important in the overall scheme than other types. IMHO, the drawbacks of the C-46 lead to it's 2nd place showing against the C-47. Fisrt, Curtis had production commitments for other types that didn't leave much room for the C-46. And second, the demand for R-2800 radials for other aircaraft didn't help it's cause. Finally, it's delivered cost and operational expense was so much higher than the C-47 that the operators could get a lot more bang for the buck with the Douglas. I always thought the C-46 was a nicer looking aircraft though.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Yes, as Bill stated, if things had been a little different a little earlier, the C46 might have become the aircraft wearing the 'Workhorse to the World' crown. Just taking into account the para dropping role alone, it was a more suitable design, having exit doors on both sides, allowing sim sticks, which, of course, provided a quicker and more compact deployment of troops and/or equipment, and at a greater range if needed.
But, the DC3/C47 was the one that was there and did the job, as it still does in some places, in a very comptent fashion, so it has to be the best of the bunch, in general terms.
But, the DC3/C47 was the one that was there and did the job, as it still does in some places, in a very comptent fashion, so it has to be the best of the bunch, in general terms.
