C-117 R4D Navy Variant

Here's the Navy version with R-1820s and larger tail. This example had two PRC-25s installed with external antennas for radio relay.

https://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=247

Wayne Stafford

That picture is of the C-117D (R4D-8) that was a mod to the the C-47 that occurred after WWII.

Here are a couple of links that may help.

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models/Aircraft/Douglas-Skytrain.html

http://www.douglasdc3.com/

C-47s

Here's a site that specializes in C-47s. Bet they can steer you straight!
www.ec47.com

C-47 Info/Restoration

Thanks for all the help,Guy's.Keep it comming..Learning alot of additional info
on C-47's and DC-3"s.

SF.Jerry

C-47 Dakota

Well,She's done, except for the nose art work,on Oct ,09.

You can see a photo at www.psam.org and click on Aircraft.We'll have more photos later as were working on our Website.

Thanks to all.

D-Day R4D

Ripper,
You and your crew did her proud! Looks like Ike's own!!

Joe Reed;24572 wrote: Ripper,
You and your crew did her proud! Looks like Ike's own!!

Thanks Joe.If you go to www.palmspringsairmuseum.blogspot.com You can see more recent photo's of it plus Stan Stokes applying the nose art.

Again,Thanks to all for your help.
Semper

C47 Gooney Bird

Saw my first Marine Gooney Bird at the new 3rd Wing Jan 1943. Later while in Vietnam 1964/1968 The Riverine Navy had one that I bummed rides to Nha Trang on. A bulletin came out to inspect the wing attachment area for corrosion & limited depth thereof. The Operations Officer delayed the inspection over objections of the Mainetance Officer. Next flight to NhaTrang in rough weather a wing broke off killing 27 crew & passengers (It was a stiff wing bird). It was still in service at H&MS-36 during my years there 1973/1987. Forget which year they finally scrapped them. Just before that two Sgts (Crew members) on a flight at Atsugi took the old bird and flew it back to Okinawa. They were diverted to the strip at IE Shima. Heard later they were charged with theft of a value of the A/C. Than with a smart lawyer & scrapping of the old birds beat the wrap based on a scrap value !! Many old stories about that old bird!! Another was when Msgt Kane another Tsgt NAP , myself & couple others flew to Arizona from NATTC Memphis Tn. When in the USAF Ops with return flight plan (We were all in our dungarees) The Ops Capt demanded that the Captain flying the A/C file the plan. Took a phone call back to Memphis to get us released to fly out of there. Saw many during my 18 months in the Pacific Islands WW2 1944/1945. SF PM

The last USMC C-117D flew from Iwakuni Japan to NAS Cubi Pt in September 1982. from September 1982 until sometime in 1984 the rest of the C-117D that were sitting by the MAG-15 area were scrapped.

The last C-117D to fly was 050835 and was cacooned and is now on display at 3rd MAW, I believe. It was at El Toro and I think they moved it to Miramir.

Harry

One more story

You mentioned Iwakuni and brought back another trip on the old bird. The H&MS-36 Maintenance officer ( Think it was Capt Jennings , later H46 Rep after retirement) put me in the bird when it was parked by H&MS. maintenace area. He wanted to be sure I got on it for they had a task for me at Atsugi. Than it was taxied over to Ops where all the passengers were boarded. Enroute it landed at Iwakuni , the Marine MPs came aboard & placed me under arrest as a stowaway !! Had to call Okinawa to get it straightened out. SF PM

I took a weekend hop on the one that was at New River once probably 65 or 66. I think I could have drove to NY almost as quick!

I had the pleasure of crewing a C-117D (050838) out of Iwakuni for most of 1967. Originally sent to Iwakuni for SAR duty in UH-34D's, I was sidetracked by the H&MS maintenance chief. He needed a replacement crew chief for the C-117 because the original crew chief, Sgt. Gandy, was due to rotate. I tried to explain that I was H-34 trained, and his answer was ... same engine's!
I must admit, that was the most enjoyable tour of my career.
The last time I saw 050838, it was sitting on top of a hotel on Okinawa, serving as a bar/restaurant.

Sidetracked!

was sidetracked by the H&MS maintenance chief

I always wanted to crew those but never got the chance! Good for you, Top!

The Phu Bai Fly

In late May or early June 1968, as a newly minted 2ndLt, I got to fly right seat in the Phu Bai Fly, with LtCol Ron Nelson, (my former CO in HMH-462),who was then the CO of MABS-36, as the Pilot.
The reason for the trip was that a Typhoon was headed for the Phu Bai area and the plane had to be relocated to Korat, Thailand. The Col was nice enough to give me a little stick/wheel time. It was a great experience and I did enjoy the short R&R in Thailand!!!

Duke Dearing