Douglas C-47 / R4D Skytrain
by: RLindsey
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Word Count: 132
Flying for over 36 years beginning in 1940, the C-47 is one of the most famous cargo planes of all time. Well over 10,000 of the easy-flying C-47s were built for the Army. The Skytrain was used extensively for paratroopers also, dropping over 20,000 American and British troops between June 3rd and 5th, 1944. The C-47 Skytrain and the Curtiss C-46 Commando were the planes flown over the “Hump” of the Himalayas in the to supply China during World War II. Known as a “Gooney Bird” during World War II, during Vietnam they were outfitted with rapid-fire miniguns and called “Puff the Magic Dragon.”
Length: 64 feet 2 inches
Wingspan: 95 feet
Speed: 229 mph
Ceiling: 23,200 feet
Range: 1,500 miles
Engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830 radials, 1,200 hp
Crew:
About the Author
Robert M. Lindsey
http://www.geocities.com/rlindsey58/
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