Flying
in a Gooney Bird.
in a Gooney Bird.
My
family arranged for me to take a flight is a C-47 military aircraft
as a birthday present. It was a very special event, as I have always
been very impressed by the design and product life of this aircraft.
My flight took place on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011.
family arranged for me to take a flight is a C-47 military aircraft
as a birthday present. It was a very special event, as I have always
been very impressed by the design and product life of this aircraft.
My flight took place on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011.
The
C-47 (aka Gooney Bird) was developed based on the DC-3 civilian
airplane. Here is a bit of background on the two versions of the
plane:
C-47 (aka Gooney Bird) was developed based on the DC-3 civilian
airplane. Here is a bit of background on the two versions of the
plane:
The
Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft
whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and
1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II
makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made.
Many DC-3s are still used in all parts of the world. Translated,
that is over 75 years of flying and the clock continues to tick.
Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft
whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and
1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II
makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made.
Many DC-3s are still used in all parts of the world. Translated,
that is over 75 years of flying and the clock continues to tick.
The
Douglas C-47 is a military transport aircraft that was developed from
the Douglas DC-3 airliner. The first flight was Dec. 1941. It was
used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in
front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in
operation to this day.
Douglas C-47 is a military transport aircraft that was developed from
the Douglas DC-3 airliner. The first flight was Dec. 1941. It was
used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in
front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in
operation to this day.
During
World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and
modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo and wounded. The US
Naval designation was R4D. Over 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long
Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The
Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s from March 1943 until August
1945. The 10K units was in addition to the over 16,000 civilian
planes.
World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and
modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo and wounded. The US
Naval designation was R4D. Over 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long
Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The
Oklahoma City plant produced 5,354 C-47s from March 1943 until August
1945. The 10K units was in addition to the over 16,000 civilian
planes.
While
I am not a strong student of aircraft, the DC-3 has always fascinated
me. Many years ago, I arranged a business trip so that I could fly
on a commercial airline that was still flying the DC-3. I was so
thrilled to fly on an aircraft with so much history.
I am not a strong student of aircraft, the DC-3 has always fascinated
me. Many years ago, I arranged a business trip so that I could fly
on a commercial airline that was still flying the DC-3. I was so
thrilled to fly on an aircraft with so much history.
Can
you imagine how thrilled I was to be able to fly on the military
version? The flight was out of the Colorado Springs Airport. The
pilots flew us north so that we could fly over The Garden of the
Gods. All in all, a very impressive and fun adventure.
you imagine how thrilled I was to be able to fly on the military
version? The flight was out of the Colorado Springs Airport. The
pilots flew us north so that we could fly over The Garden of the
Gods. All in all, a very impressive and fun adventure.
Here
are some photos (not the best quality as they were taken with my cell
phone).
are some photos (not the best quality as they were taken with my cell
phone).
The C-47 is a classic “tail dragger”
Looking out the window with an opening
that was used to permit firing rifles during the war.
Taking pictures out the window.
They let us get out of our seats for most of the flight.
Note that you can see the structure of the fuselage
and the seats are very primitive.
Note that you can see the structure of the fuselage
and the seats are very primitive.
Flying over The Garden of the Gods
Looking into the cockpit during the flight.
The right side seems to be original, while the pilot
has a modern display.