Warbird Information Exchange

I was watching the old "Victory at Sea" series on DVD and on the disc on "D DAY" it showed them connecting the communication and tow rope to the socket in the tail of the C-47. Is there any D-Day survivor C-47 still equipped with the towing rig? The Victory at Sea series was put together in 1952 and they used a lot of stock war film that really didn't fit in the story being told. Showed some Sea Furies on the deck elevator for the Battle of the Mediterrian but they weren't in British service till much later in the War.Showed waist gunners shooting their .50 cal. --on a B-29!!!! Overall a good DVD set to own,but I did get tired of the Richard Rogers music.

One bit of trivia about Victory at Sea's music. Each episode has music specifically tailored for that episode, so while it all sort of sounded the same, there are differences. Something you won't ever hear again on any TV series and one of the luxuries of having a professional orchestra at your disposal (the NBC Orchestra).

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

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Just part of the team keeping them going
F111 Ex USAF 67-109 A8-109
Canberra WT492
PBY USN 46679
Constellation USAF 54-0145
Dakota 44-76774
Skymaster 44-9126
Sabre A64-901
HARS, Albion Park, AUSTRALIA

Does anyone know if the tow rigs in the C47 is the same that was used in the Lockheed C60? I am looking for tow equipment for the C60.

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John Cotter

I don't think they installed the tow rig yet, but the Greatest Generation guys have big plans to restore a CG-4A and tow it behind Southern Cross.

I thought I read where a glider was being built to original specs. by a group of people who built them during WW2, I think somewhere in Minn. or Wisc. What a gas that would be to see a C-47 release a glider to land at an airshow. But all the footage of glider landings usually showed the only thing arresting the landing was something hard . Did they have drogue chutes to help in their landing rollout? The original thought was to retrieve the gliders after D-Day for reuse again but there was so many damaged very few were recycled, from what I've read.

Heres the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxZSznMhjlU

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Just part of the team keeping them going
F111 Ex USAF 67-109 A8-109
Canberra WT492
PBY USN 46679
Constellation USAF 54-0145
Dakota 44-76774
Skymaster 44-9126
Sabre A64-901
HARS, Albion Park, AUSTRALIA

_________________
Just part of the team keeping them going
F111 Ex USAF 67-109 A8-109
Canberra WT492
PBY USN 46679
Constellation USAF 54-0145
Dakota 44-76774
Skymaster 44-9126
Sabre A64-901
HARS, Albion Park, AUSTRALIA

The "Victory at Sea" series is one of my favorites. Perfect for a rainy NW Sunday afternoon.

There were two tow release mechanisms. They were the same design. The one used in the C-60, C-47 intended to tow the CG-4A was rated at 10,500 lb at maximum 45 degree angle of pull; part number 42G1205-2. In the U.S., the C-60 was used as CG-4A tug in training only and mainly at Lubbock.

The tow release did not vary based on the tug, only the method of installation varied depending on the tug, such as the P-38, the C-47, C-60, B-23. The tow release used in the glider and in the tug was the same.

The heavier model was rated at 25,500 lb., at maximum 45 degree angle, item number 42G1205-4. This was designed to be used primarily in aircraft that were to tow loaded CG-13A, CG-10A. I have not seen that the heavier release was installed in U.S. C-47 tugs that towed U.S. Horsa gliders into Normandy.

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Charles Day,
Silent Ones WWII Invasion Glider Test & Experiment CCAAF Wilmington Ohio

Does anyone have any information where I can find the tow equipment for the C60? Since it was the same as the C47, that should make it much easier to find.

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John Cotter

Way, way back in the mid or so '70s, didn't the CAF have a CG-4 they were going to restore? ISTR a pic of some CG-4 remains next to a pic of a Sikorsky R-4 that was to be restored too.

I think you have to keep Victory at Sea in context with when it was produced...they used whatever footage was readily available at the time. I'm sure they didn't have historical researchers uncovering footage they way they did years later, or the emphasis on historical accuracy that some documentaries have. It is rather interesting to note that a lot of the footage used for Victory at Sea turns up in later documentaries, even ones produced 50 years later.

The music for Victory at Sea is spectacular, with no less than the great Arturo Toscanini conducting the NBC Orchestra. My grandfather went out and bought the LP for the soundtrack in 1952, which he gave to my Dad. We still have the LP somewhere at my parents' house.

I always like the narrator's voice (I wish I could remember his name), especially the episode where he talks about the "conquest of Micro-NEEEE-sia". To me Victory at Sea and The World at War are among the two best documentary series, especially when you consider the context of when they were produced.

Leonard Graves. "Midway BLAZES. But Midway STANDS."

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Just got back from a WW2 Re-Enactment in Benton Harbor , Michigan and the Yankee Air Force DC3/C47 was there and I looked and it did have the tow ring in back. I checked it and found "42D8750" stamped on it. I asked and it was for towing gliders. A nice show for all, I did get to take a flight in the Huey 369 medevac helicopter, pretty neat, flew over Lake Michigan . Their B-17 was taking up full loads all day, good for them to offer this experience. First time to this event and was surprised for the free parking and admission, left me money to put in donation jars at various Vet booths. Got to support these events or they will not be coming back.