Few aircraft are as well known or were so widely used for so long as the C-47, or “Gooney Bird” as it was affectionately nicknamed. The aircraft was adapted from the DC-3 commercial airliner that appeared in 1936. The first C-47s were ordered in 1940 and by the end of World War II, 9,348 had been procured for USAAF use. They carried personnel and cargo, and in a combat role, towed troop-carrying gliders and dropped paratroops into enemy territory.

After WWII, many C-47s remained in USAF service, participating in the Berlin Airlift and other peacetime activities. During the Korean War, C-47s 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.

---

SPECIFICATIONS:

Span: 95 ft.

Length: 64 ft. 5 in.

Height: 16 ft. 11 in.

Weight: 33,000 lbs. loaded

Armament: None

Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-1830s of 1,200 hp each

Crew: Six

Cost: $138,000

Serial number: 43-49507

C/N: 15313/26768

Displayed as: 43-15174

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 232 mph

Cruising speed: 175 mph

Range: 1,513 miles

Service ceiling: 24,450 ft.