The C-47 "Skytrain" military transport, built by Douglas,
was adapted
from the DC-3 commercial airliner which appeared in 1936. The first C-47's
were ordered in 1940 and by the end of World War II, 10,926 had been built.
They carried personnel and cargo, and in a combat role, towed
troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops into enemy territory.
After World War II, many C-47's remained in USAF service, participating in the Berlin
Airlift and other peacetime activities. During the Korean Conflict, C-47's hauled
supplies, dropped paratroops, evacuated wounded and dropped flares for night
bombing attacks. In Vietnam, the C-47 served again as a transport, but it was
also used in a variety of other ways which included flying ground attack
(gunship) , reconnaissance, and psychological warfare missions.
Source and Link:
U.S.A.F. Museum.
(Scale: 1/72, Length: 11", Wing Span: 16") TM.
