C-47

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The Navy's version was the R4D. I flew on one from Osaka to Kobe Japan in 1965. It was the only Navy transport plane I ever flew on that had parachutes on the back of every seat. Never did see any harnesses...guess they were somewhere on the plane...or maybe you had to just hold on tight to the 'chute and hope for the best!
 
when I got to Rhein Main AB we had 2 C-47's. when they sent them back to the states one of the made it but how much further I don't know. the other one made it to Iceland and they were debating on whether or not to fix it (I think it was an engine problem) or just sell it for scrap.
 
Dad flew the C-47 in WWII. He started with operation Market Garden.
There are some great pics he took flying through flak and of Peenemude(sp?). The V2 site and also some shots of the V1 launch rails.
If I can locate them I'll post. I think my brother has them.
It could be a while.
That is my number one bucket list plane to fly before I fly with my own wings( I hope)
 

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My Uncle flew the C-46 and C-47 during WWII. He was stationed in Alaska with the 11th AF. My second airplane ride was in a DC-3 from Denver to Colorado Springs in 1964. Great airplane.
 
My uncle flew C47's and a couple C46's in the CBI as a "Hump" pilot.
We interred his ashes with full military honors around Memorial Day seven years ago. His wife just died a few weeks ago at 95.
I am glad to see others who appreciate this plane.
 
Several years ago I went to A&P school in Somerset KY. They had a C47 that sat in a field and was torn apart and put back together who knows how many times in the many years of sat there. It was the unofficial mascot of the school. I used to climb up in that plane and sit in the cockpit and nose around the engines and fuselage whenever I got a chance. Toward the end of my schooling they sold the plane to a company in WI that refurbishes C47s. They sent 4 or 5 guys down for a few weeks, bolted new engines on, went through the electronics and landing gear and eventually flew it out. We all had mixed emotions, it was very cool to see it fly after so many years of service as a training tool, but it was sorely missed.
Those guys from WI had some confidence though, no test flights or touch and goes, just taxi, power up, and down the runway they went, all the way to WI.
 
One of the two greatest, most versatile aircraft ever built. The other is the C-130. Both have done it all, all over the world. Some 47's and DC3's are still in use, but the Herc will go on for a very long time yet.

I have a soft spot for the Gooney, as it's the only airplane I ever actually flew--for all of fifteen minutes, closely watched by a USAF full colonel.

We survived.
 
Saw this artist work in a shop inside the Luxor, Las Vegas. $11,000 [emoji57]
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Dad flew the C-47 in WWII. He started with operation Market Garden.
There are some great pics he took flying through flak and of Peenemude(sp?). The V2 site and also some shots of the V1 launch rails.
If I can locate them I'll post. I think my brother has them.
It could be a while.
That is my number one bucket list plane to fly before I fly with my own wings( I hope)

There's a C-47 with invasion stripes at the 82d Museum at Bragg. Of course at least half of the newbies have to take their picture in front of it. :D

I for one would love to see your Dad's old pics.
 
I flew in the C47s while in Iceland in the late 50s. We flew the early warning sites with supplies and replacement troops.Good low maintenance planes.
 
The R4 we flew from NAS Norfolk had 4 parachutes on the aft bulkhead. The semi regular pilot had them removed. Figured if there was a problem everyone would run aft to get one and stand the old "Gooney Bird" on its tail.
 
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