Participants
Transports
Douglas C-47 “Skytrain”
The C-47 military transport evolved from commercial airliner, the DC-3 (Douglas Commercial 3), which first flew in 1935. Today, there are still over 1,000 of C-47s and DC-3s still in commercial service throughout the world which is quite remarkable considering the last C-47 was built over 60 years ago. Its longevity is due to a sound and versatile design, and a very strong and corrosion resistant airframe. In fact, many of the DC-3/C-47s have been re-engined with modern turbines, meaning they will be flying for a long time into the future.
During WWII Douglas Aircraft Company produced over 9,300 C-47s, which became the backbone of the military air transport during that conflict. Besides its cargo and personnel carrying assignments, it was also used to drop paratroopers and tow gliders into combat, especially during the Normandy Invasion, when hundreds took to the sky in mass formations to deliver the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions behind enemy lines in the dark on the morning of June 6th, 1944. WWII was the first war that saw the use of aircraft in the transport role to deliver supplies all over the world to remote locations that were not accessible by other means. The C-47, with its ruggedness, versatility, and ease of maintenance, made it the primary transport aircraft for not only the US Army Air Force but the US Navy and Marines also. In service with the Navy and Marines, it was designated as an R4D. In British service, it was know as the “Dakota”. After the Second World War, the C-47 went on to serve in The Berlin Airlift, Korea, and finally Vietnam, where it not only was used in the traditional cargo role, but was converted to the first gun ship to support US Special Forces hamlets on the ground, with high density fire support provided by 3 mini-guns.
This year the Indianapolis Air Show will have on both static and flying display Douglas C-47 N227GB which was restored by the Great Lakes Wing of the CAF to the colors and configuration of an actual aircraft, the “Black Sparrow”, lead ship of the 302nd Squadron, Troop Carrier Command, 9th Air Force during the D-Day Invasion of Europe in June of 1944.
After WW II the original “Black Sparrow” went to serve in the Polish National Airline, flew for an Iranian company, served in the French Air Force, and then saw duty as a cargo hauler in Canada until being scrapped in 1976.
The aircraft that the Great Lakes Wing flies was built in May of 1945 as a C-47, but then transferred to the U.S. Navy as an R4D military personnel transport. Later on it was modified as a navigational trainer. In 1963 the aircraft was transferred to the FAA and used to check the accuracy of the navigational aids in the National Airspace System. It did its final stint with the Government with the Department of Agriculture. The CAF purchased the aircraft in 1980.
This group will be offering C-47 rides during Air Show weekend. Click here for more information.
