Inside The Cockpit - C-47 Skytrain/ Dakota/ DC-3 | D-Day Airborne

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

*If you enjoyed the video, please share it!* Hey all! This must the most in-depth and biggest project I work on for the channel so far. Let me know what you thought about it!

[@TheAdaaamski]

It shows that you put a lot of work into this video and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I don't have a lot of time to watch KZbin videos, but your uploads always take priority :)

[@knutdergroe9757]

Sorry Bismarck, Herr Gen. Kurt Student, Not Karl....

[@reddevilparatrooper]

It was awesome to jump out of the Navy version R4D! It was equipped with stainless steel anchor cables for Paratroop use. This plane was in Lancaster TX with the Commemorative Air Force and jump with my old Army Paratrooper buddy with his Airborne Demonstration Team. It was great to experience how my Dad a WWII and Korean War Paratrooper felt like jumping out either for training or combat. All of my jumps were on modern US Military planes.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Narration was too fast but otherwise very good. 👍👍

[@artificernathaniel3287]

And to think you can probably fit several of these into the standard workhorse of todays commercial market, the 737! Crazy how things have gotten so much bigger, I bet you could drop a lot of paratroopers out of a stripped down and modified 737, if you made use of the passenger deck and the cargo deck below it.

[@QueenOfMinecraft]

I'm really glad we have dedicated people like you who produce such high quality content about history

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thank you!

[@RyTrapp0]

In spite of how badly Google is driving it into the ground, KZbin really has become a valuable new hub of knowledge, history, and general education

[@Ok-551]

It’s exceptional.

[@tomjoseph1444]

Very good job. I have worked on DC 2's and DC 3's. My father flew a DC 3 for Argonaut Airlines between Key West and Miami back in the 60's. When I was an engineer for McDonnell Douglas we had a DC 2 as part of out heritage flight which I helped restore. I also assisted on a DC 3 used to haul jumpers. Thus I pretty well know the history of the DC 3 and you really covered it well and in a short period of time.

[@701CPD]

I used to take a DC-3 every once in a while from St. Thomas to Puerto Rico back in the '70s when I got "rock happy." Spend the day wandering around San Juan, go see a movie, and fly back at the end of the day. Round-trip ticket: $25.

[@gilanbarona9814]

My dad flew the C 47 for the Philippine Air Force. His was a transport and then a modified gunship during the conflict in Mindanao in the early 1970s. Thanks for this video.

[@alexanderm9446]

I just want to say that the added audio over the historical footage is amazing! It adds an immense amount to the immersion.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thanks, happy you liked it

[@Spaceman404.]

"Give me 50 DC3s and the Japanese can have the Burma Road" - Chiang Kai-Shek

[@andreinarangel6227]

...and that statement showed the sheer stupidity of Chiang and the rest of the lot, on both sides, in China.

[@ScionofBraggie]

My grandfather serviced these during ww2 (he was ground crew) he nicknamed them 'biscuit bombers' He was based in paupa new guinea

[@siegfried2k4]

Was he based in port moresby?

[@BrockvsTV]

It’s amazing how many of these still fly. And the fact that after more 80 years later there’s a company turning them into bt-67’s is amazing

[@cobwob]

GREAT video Biz! One small correction... The B-18 Bolo was a mess of DC-2 and DC-3 parts. It has the wing and tail of the DC-3 and the engines and landing gear of the DC-2. Most survivors however were converted with DC-3 engines after the war.

[@justinpyke1756]

Secret to becoming a fighter ace: 1. Purchase and wear maroon pants. 2. ??? 3. Fighter ace.

[@johncantdance]

2. Wave your arms non-stop like a demented kung fu fighter.

[@davidtuttle7556]

Fly an F4U or F6F.

[@davidtuttle7556]

And become an ace-in-a-day.

[@chuckhainsworth4801]

The second part is a biggy. Learn to fly, get nurse-maided by an real ace until you can fly combat as a pilot, fly combat missions and slowly accumulate kills. The other factors, like aircraft count less than actual skill. Oh and luck. You need to have luck. Without luck, you can wind up in a Spitfire and be shot down by an American who can't tell the difference between a Spitfire and a ME109 (true story).

[@reddevilparatrooper]

I was very fortunate last year for my reunion to jump out of a Navy R4D in Lancaster TX with my platoon buddy who is the Jump Master for the Commemorative Air Force Airborne Demonstration Team. It was wonderful to jump from this plane. Even though she rattled like a bucket of bolts.

[@arya31ful]

The most beautiful aircraft for me, i can't understand it but something about this aircraft just feels right.

[@garygralton7570]

Shape of the nose, tail, and wings just looked beautiful to me.

[@johnmcnaught7453]

Recently found your channel and as a fan of aviation history i enjoy your work very much. Your in-depth research and presentation is very good and I look forward to your posts.

[@larrybrown1824]

A minor quibble. The C-47 didn't save Berlin during the airlift all by herself. She had help from Douglas C-54's and Curtis-Wright C-46's...and probably a whole lot of other plane types.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Yup, a lot of different planes (even floatplanes) helped buy the C-47 was amongst them :)

[@claudecarrier5463]

Military Aviation History i

[@DFX2KX]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory yeah, pretty much, anything with a bit of cargo space and a pair of wings got used.

[@alexmontgomery255]

I had the pleasure of flying in the DC-3 about 40 years ago. It’s a testament to the design that so many of this legendary aircraft are still flying.

[@hardlydank932]

Great video! South Africa still uses it today in it's military for electronic warfare!

[@Charles-ox3yv]

Outstanding video, my father was a C-47 crew chief stationed in India during WW2, I watch every C-47 video I can find. Thank you.

[@cannonfodder4376]

A simply superlative video Bis. Informative, concise and engaging.

[@cavalier5423]

It's cool how the engine gauges have two needles instead of having two separate gauges. I've never seen that before. Awesome video!

[@brucemacdonald1509]

In 1976 I flew from Terrace to Dease Lake in a DC3 operated by Northern Thunderbird Air. What a ride! With the high dihedral on the wings, the plane flew like a powered leaf. Unforgettable.

[@SeanBZA]

Flew in them a lot, as well had a nice tour during the Junkers being restored, seeing the aircraft stripped down to near bare metal. With the Dakota, plenty of hours in them, though they were a lot more modern inside, upgraded avionics in most cases, and slightly better canvas seats. With the original P&W engines it was always wise to check for oil dripping out of those oil coolers, because if there was none dripping, there was no oil, and not a good thing. However there are quite a few upgraded to a turboprop arrangement, with much better fuel economy and operating cost, and those are great to fly on. Converse applies there, the oil coolers actually work. Only one time I was worried flying on one was when we had undercarriage failure, and had to circle till empty before landing, after a few cycles of the gear, with me as the human lifeline holding the flight engineer, as we both were leaning out the door looking if the gear was down ( it was), and it looked like it was locking ( no green light on the pedestal). Best, smoothest, landing ever, though slightly marred by the 45 ton Rosenbaur fire engine that was pacing us down the runway with a running foam cannon. Switch was sticky, percussive maintenance and it was fixed enough to fly us the rest of the way. Got in to my destination 6 hours late, walked in and was asked why, replied the Dakota broke down, and we all had to get out and push.

[@johncolwell7554]

My father worked at Douglas Aircraft Santa Monica ca during this period as a aeronautical engineer he told me that this Aircraft was the best he had anything to do with ,this is a very nice video thanks.

[@pog5808]

Cant wait to see that amazing bird fly on Tuesday and Wednesday

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Great vid Bismarck. Love the in depth stuff as well as the actual look at a real plane. Keep up the good work good sir.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Cheers James!

[@neilbone9490]

If the P-51D is the ‘Cadillac of the Sky’ the C47 is the ‘Chevy Pick-Up of the Sky.’ Local boy and former C47 aircrew Sir Freddie Laker named his airline Skytrain after it. Well done Bisz

[@Nialll138]

i saw one fly over my house two weeks ago for the D day memorials.Beautiful looks and sound.

[@mandernachluca3774]

Aaah yeah, the DC 3, a truly iconic aircraft..... By the way, when are you planning to do a video on the He 162?

[@rudesandelius7343]

Ah I have had a ride in the DC-3. It was wonderful

[@SlavianAesthetics]

This is great, considering that within the next week (as of writing this) will be the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, which these were used famously perhaps. Thank you and I will definitely share it!

[@Wrang15]

They plan to have 15 over fly Normandy i think. I know they have been working on flying in formations to do drops.

[@steveb6103]

The lead plain of D Day named That's All Brother was fully restored and is on the way over. It was going to be used for parts then be scrapped. When the owners found out what they had it was rebuilt to a new airframe state. You can find the videos here on KZbin.

[@TheRaptorXX]

Nice one Bizzie!! Informative and as well - presented as ever... Thanks.

[@sawaah0073]

My pop's flew soldiers on leave to and from Germany, Spain Morocco, etc., in the early 50's in a C47 . While he was on leave he met my mom, who was an attendant for an airline on the DC3. From time to time she would dead head the DC3 she attended. They both loved the Goony Bird. So nice to see "props" given to such a workhorse.

[@MyBlueZed]

A wonderfully presented documentary. You are doing a great job Bismarck. 👍🏻

[@bryanjacobs5897]

Well done! I was on a c47 about a year ago at a local air show. Very cool and important plane.

[@angryduck553]

Apologies for the child who walked behind you and dabbed right at the end. That was my friend... Loved the video!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Don't worry about it, it wasn't you. Next time come up and say hi ;)

[@angryduck553]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory Will do!

[@charlescockburn6269]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory you where filming when we went past so we didn't

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

@@charlescockburn6269 appreciate it

[@charlescockburn6269]

Military Aviation History I was the one in red with the trio that had our friend,Elliot, who dabbed and caused great dishonour. My friend and I have now both apologised for his action and we hope you can forgive his severe lack of cognitive capability.

[@gordonlawrence4749]

There are still some of these in operational service (4 I think) and some airlines still use them. Some are now being upgraded with newer type turboprops and the extra fuel efficiency (compared to the original engines) now means a higher cruising speed (260MPH+) and 10+ hours endurance. That means at the right time of year (to get a good tail wind) they can fly from LAX to JFK. That's in the ball park of 3000 miles.

[@thekidfromthesouth4270]

Thank you very much for this great video!! One of my favorite planes ever!! Just beautiful.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent vid bro, thank you.

[@davidford694]

Amusing to hear the long and careful process of getting the aircraft ready to fly. I was for a few times a passenger in one owned by Eldorado Nuclear (source of Hiroshima uranium) in the early '70s. We flew up the MacKenzie River valley, the northern terminal being Tuktoyaktuk, on the Arctic ocean. Gordie, our pilot, was extremely experienced, but he had a ferocious alcohol problem. He would stumble out, severely hung over, onto the gravel strip at Tuk, jump in, pull about 3 levers, and we were airborne!

[@bobbycvsixfour5258]

SIR, I respect your enthusiasm, the history, EVERYTHING!!! WOW, I am very impressed with your presentation. WOW doesn't cut it, there must be another way of saying GREAT JOB. SUPER WELL DONE. For those thumb downers, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

[@bob_._.]

The Japanese version was not the Type O (letter "O"), but the Type 0 (zero). Japanese military equipment, whether aircraft, weapons or other, were assigned type numbers corresponding to the year of adoption. So both this plane and the A6 "Zero" fighter were accepted by the military in Imperial Year 2600, which on our calendar was the year 1940.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

I think something got lost in translation there. I usually refer to 0 (Zero) as 'oh' when counting, think I picked it up in language classes long time ago. I know Zero would be better, but it is engrained now. Obv, the vocal difference between 'oh' and 'O' (letter) is pretty much nonexistent but makes sense depending on the context (like giving a phone number). Will try to keep to 'zero' next time, to make it more obvious - thanks for pointing it out!

[@MikeSiemens88]

In the late 1970's as a young technician in the Canadian Forces I worked on a rather unique 'Dak' named Pinocchio at CFB Cold Lake. It was one of a number of DC3's modified with a CF-104 Starfighter nose complete with radar installed. These were used as radar trainers for CF-104 pilots. A radar console was installed in the cabin with a 't-rack' holding the electronics. A ground power unit bolted to the floor & exhausted through a blanked out window was used to power the system. I believe several other NATO countries operating the F-104 Starfighter, including Germany also had their version of Pinocchio.

[@bobjones5166]

WOW!! Thx m8. I got the privilege of making about a dozen skydives (civilian not military) out of the DC 3 about 20 years ago. Made me dig out the old video camera and watch the jumps again. :)

[@3550rebel]

Took a flight in one in February ( DC 3 spec that was originally a RAAF Dakota). Remarkably comfortable and not that noisy. Nice bounce on one of the landings in true DC3 style.

[@badguy1481]

I flew the C-47 in the military. The problem for people of your height: On landing, with a quarterly trailing cross wind, the large "barn door" (vertical tail) causes reverse command on the rudder pedals. Normally, on landing, if the aircraft begins turning to the left, one depresses the right rudder pedal to bring their aircraft back straight. In a quarterly trailing cross wind, situation, the opposite happens, i.e. depressing the right pedal makes the aircraft turn more to the left. To counter that, the pilot MUST "peddle" the rudders, like a bicycle, to determine which peddle produces which result. And while doing that he must bring the yoke back into his stomach, to assist the rear tail wheel to come down to the runway. IF the pilot has long legs, doing that becomes a problem. The control arm for the yoke can get caught on his leg, while he's trying to peddle the rudder pedals. Often times it keeps him from making the necessary corrections and he can easily run off the runway. Just a guess, but I would imagine in the early 30's, when this aircraft was designed, pilots, and people in general, were a lot shorter and the above problem was not an issue.

[@bmused55]

I am looking forward to seeing of the Dakotas flying over Normandy!

[@Adonnay76]

Such an iconic plane... it was also the first model airplane I had as a kid while my brother had the JU-52. Ah... memories ;)

[@MikeyMcBryan]

15:30 Why is it called a Hamburger door?

[@jasonworks1362]

i thought you covered that on Planes Savers Mikey lol, BTW your DC3 looks great , Good Job

[@juliuscaesar5197]

He said auxiliary door, not hamburger door.

[@redrb26dett]

Never a truer word said “what a machine “ simply beautiful

[@badian37]

Great channel....the starting procedures for this episode are really amazing! You really do your homework; keep up the great work!

[@whoareyou1034]

I was fortunate enough to enter the C - 47 that was the 2 airplane or the lead plane of the 2nd wave at D - Day of paratroopers. Based on the inside, I think it was of the 505th Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Dovision. At least I know it was from the 82nd. It could still fly.

[@672egalaxie6]

Wow! I would love to see that plane!! My bro-in-law's Dad was in the 505/82nd Airborne and went in few minutes past midnight on the 6th of June. He was a Pathfinder. Amazing.

[@whoareyou1034]

@@672egalaxie6 dude, that is awesome! Anyway I got to do it in an Airshow. There was a donation box in the form of a bomb. I would not be suprised if there is a website. After all it was at an airshow and was still air worthy

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Super episode about such an important (if not the sexiest) aircraft from WWII.

[@imageeknotanerd9897]

I saw the only airworthy C-41a flying just a couple days ago! Not even at an airshow or anything; I was just in the right place at the right time as it flew overhead! It's currently owned by Golden Age Air Tours, and you can pay to ride on it for a large fee.

[@derb009]

Sgoimg to Dakotas over duxford, it's going to be awesome to see 30+ flying together ...

[@Battleship009]

There's only one thing that can replace a DC-3 and that's another DC-3.

[@allangibson8494]

Douglas was thinking of the DC-5. Fokker took the idea and changed to turboprop engines and got the Fokker 27. (Fokker was Douglas's agent in Europe).

[@timeweaselproduction]

It truly is an iconic plane. My great uncle flew a C-47 over Normandy as part of the 100th AAF Troop Carrier Squadron, transporting paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division the night before D-Day. He was killed when his C-47 crashed in Germany in April 1945.

[@vanguardactual1]

Simply amazing Biz, Great job and keep up your awesome work! Thank You from North Carolina

[@jvbenjamin]

I'm happy I found your channel. The content is excellent! Keep up the good work! 😎

[@markholderness9494]

She's at the museum where I'm from in Elvington York, been on board many times with my daughter. She's a living icon and a dream to have to pay respects to all who served and flew in her

[@charlescockburn6269]

I got in too I was in red. We never came up and said hello cause you where filming and zack was a chicken

[@artificernathaniel3287]

You should of! (When he wasn't talking to the camera of course). I'm sure he would of loved to meet a fan

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

This was truly awesome! Thank you!

[@maxkordhard3565]

I am 183 cm tall. I was sitting in the cockpit of the Soviet modification of this plane - Li-2. (In the Monino Aviation Museum, not far from Moscow). It's funny that I described my feelings 100% in the same words as you: in principle, it would be possible to fly, but it was a bit cramped. The pedals are too close, and so that my knees don't hit the control column, I have to spread my legs a little to the sides. On a long-haul flight, I would get tired of sitting like that after half an hour. And taking the pilot's seat (and what's more important - quickly leaving it) would be extremely uncomfortable. I normally perceived the fact that I didn't fit comfortably in any Soviet fighter from the Second World War (the average height of Russians at that time was only about 164 cm, and many pilots, for example, our best ace Ivan Kozhedub - were about 155 cm), but the fact that I was cramped even in a transport plane was a surprise.

[@pablogonzalez8884]

23 minutes and you don't say anything about the autopilot in front of you that worked with vacuum pressure, a true work of art. Much of the operation and start-up of the engines, something really simple and of which there are thousands of videos on youtube that really show it but nothing from the technical part of the aircraft. Not everyone wants to be a pilot ... some of us want to see in more detail the systems of those beautiful classic aircraft

[@alanrogers7090]

Christoph, the "TWA" that requested the DC-1 from Douglas Aircraft was not yet "Trans World Airlines", but, at that time, was known as "Trans-Western Airlines", a mostly American West coast airline. At that time, they wanted to extend their routes to the East coast, but didn't possess an airliner with the capacity or range. This brought the DC-1 into the world. TWA liked what they saw, but made a few design change requests, which resulted in the DC-2. This eventually morphed into the DC-3, or "Skytrain", or "Dakota", as it was variously known. As you are no doubt aware, some are still flying to this day.

[@semco72057]

I first got to fly on one of them after leaving boot camp in San Antonio at Kelly Field. It was suppose to take us to Denver, Colorado to our technical school, but it had problems with one of the engines and we had to return to Kelly Field where we ended up flying on a larger aircraft to Denver. The next time I flew on one was while stationed in Thailand and we flew on one U-tapao air base to Chiang Mei on our R&R. I flew on another one on an R&R during my second tour to U-tapeo. It was a nice aircraft and the first one I saw which had a wing and elevators which was made with cloth on them.

[@Strandjutter]

Excellent video! Thanks!

[@kevindawson9987]

I work in Inverness airport and literally seen two of these today. I believe they must be on their way to join the others marking the anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.

[@Boatperson]

Thank you! Great video, very informative. What a legend.....

[@greg1156]

I sometimes go to the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, Long Island, New York. The C-47 is always there.

[@dougauzene8389]

Whatta Wonderful Plane....

[@tippersteffi1]

I flew the EC-47 in SEA….going from a T-38 to the 47, it could be a handful until you figured everything out, it was very reliable for reconnaissance purposes

[@imapanzer1788]

I love these videos, they're always interesting, and the thumbnails look pleasing, please keep it up

[@moment3104]

My great grandfather was a radio operator in a C-47 in the pacific theater. Pretty neat he was a warrant Jr Officer.

[@Bert2368]

I remember blotter acid in the 1980s with a picture of a DC3 and the words "gooney bird" on them. Carried quite a load...

[@markwilliams2620]

Probably had the same flight time. Just reach a pleasant altitude😎

[@CDeanhartman]

19:20 "Wouldnt get any good reviews on Trip Advisor" Priceless.

[@pietluijken3357]

You are very welcome in The Netherlands for a meeting in our RNlAF Historical Flight at Gilze-Rijen or Vliegend Museum Seppe at Breda International Airport.

[@CheshireTomcat68]

9:21 He's a Wizzard you know!

[@SpacePatrollerLaser]

There was an airline, I think it was New England Air, that flew DC-3's out of New Bedfrod Airport. I saw a few of these as late as 1972

[@gordonlawrence4749]

Buffalo and other airlines still fly them now and some are being up-engine (again) with newer more efficient turboprops giving double the take-off power and lower fuel consumption at a cruising speed 100mph faster than the original.

[@JaySmithKiawah]

Appreciated the history of the Airlift at the museum in Berlin.

[@Bochi42]

The only thing you left out is Flying the Hump to bring supplies into China. I do hope you will look into that. Those crews and their planes are a remarkable chapter in aviation history and don't get the credit & attention they deserve. That took some great flying.

[@Bochi42]

Great book on the plane is surprise: The Plane That Changed the World: A Biography of the DC-3 by Douglas J. Ingells.

[@act7733]

My father was a navigator on a C-47 at Normandy and Arnhem. Dropping the parachutists and towing the gliders. He mentioned to me that the ground fire was horrific. Anyone with a gun was shooting upward. He also mentioned that at that time the Americans did not have self sealing gasoline tanks and should a bullet hit the gasoline tank that plane would have a real problem. Later in the war they were retrofitted with self-sealing gasoline tanks.

[@MendTheWorld]

It was a DC-3 operated by Allegheny Airlines that was the 2nd airplane flight I ever took, probably 1960 or so, flying with my Dad from Allegheny County Airport in Pittsburgh to Harrisburg, the state capital. My first flight, however, had been on TWA Lockheed Constellation, from Greater Pittsburgh Airport to NYC LaGuardia, so I wasn't real impressed with the DC-3 in comparison. Seemed a bit rustic and Spartan in design, but both flights were great experiences, and I was very fortunate to have the opportunity at a time when kids didn't get very many chances to fly. In those early days of flight, they would invite children to come up and visit the flight deck during the flight, and the crew would give a metal pin with a set of wings as a souvenir. I might still have it somewhere.

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

6:22 Bismark gets artsy.

[@trexlord1]

The C47's that got converted into gunships in Vietnam, the AC47, were outfitted with multiple 7.62mm miniguns and .50 caliber machine guns. When all the guns fired on a single target the tracers would form near solid column of red light, which is where the name "Puff the Magic Dragon" came from.

[@ellis8238]

Great video military aviation history! A very nice aircraft.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Cheers

[@tisFrancesfault]

It may not be as "sexy" as a spitfire or P 51 or whatever but such an important plane. Very informative video as ever. P.S. I commend your commitment to keeping consistent clothing over what looks as though was multiple day filming (that, or the weather took a turn and it rained, which considering its Britain is as likely). PPS I AM EVER WATCHFUL FOR THE VIDEO YOU KNOW I DEMAND - even if you'll hate me for the ever pestering demand :3

[@Tuning3434]

Indeed she is still flying. If weather permits, they always have one parachute jump out of a C-47 during the Market Garden remembrance parachute jump. You will see C-130 flying on and off, and then suddenly a lonely C-47 appears.

[@hkja99]

Lovely video!

[@emmgeevideo]

I watch a lot of KZbin videos on a lot of subjects. I assume that the good creators will do well money wise by getting lots of views, likes, subscribes, etc. I’ve never chosen to use Patreon. It feels a little like panhandling to me. But damn it, I’m signing up for a Patreon donation for Bismarck. These are the best historical and museum tour videos on KZbin. He goes on site for these types of reviews and has a videographer as well. I want more of these so I’m willing to help fund them.

[@Ph33NIXx]

Really good stuff! My father in law supports a still flying dakota in Denmark. Gives tours some times too. Do you have a movie on the JU 52?

[@badguy1481]

The C-47 played VITAL roles in the Vietnam War. Not ONLY did it serve as a close air support gunship (AC-47), but also as an electronic warfare/intel gathering (EC-47). Both roles significantly enhanced military operations in South-East Asia.

[@bigblue6917]

Okay, here's one for you. I saw a DC 3 fly over me today. And it looked original. Stopped and watched it fly by.

[@ordnps]

Excellent.

[@chuckhainsworth4801]

Ah Dakota. I get all warm and fuzzy thinking about crawling into her belly, even more than a Chinook or a C130. When I served in the 70s, I remember one exercise flight where the Dakota and the pilot had the same birth year, 1945. The plane was older by a couple months. Any hit that doesn't kill her, doesn't count. That is good enough for a soldier.

[@SageManeja]

In the Spanish Civil War, some of the DC-3 aircraft from the postal service were quickly converted into bombers at the start of the war

[@dgf8768]

Can’t stop thinking about dc 10

[@markwilliams2620]

Once a gooney bird, always a gooney bird. Lee County (my fair home) contracts with a turboprop DC3 to spray for mosquitoes. It comes over at night at a few hundred feet. It flies a spray pattern so I see it go by several times. Still working after 7 decades.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

There's a book titled the Gooney Bird, and I remember them saying they had removed the floor to update them for the Vietnam war, and found tons of coal dust, from flying into Berlin in the airlift. This meant these planes had taken off for years tons overweight.

[@paulferrari3921]

Such good content.

[@Ebergerud]

The production numbers are a little tricky. It's true that nobody could get too many C47s. It's also true that the plane was designed for durability and not high performance - and it was not normally put in harms way. So the hours per plane were far higher than a combat plane. Pilots didn't count missions - they counted hours. Anyway, that meant a whole lot of those planes made were in service - after the war also. One reason there are lots of C47s today and fighters are rare.