C-47 History and Paint Scheme help needed

[Scotty G]

Hi Gang,

Been away from WIX far too long..!

I'm working with a Foundation that has a C-47A-DL that, I'm told, has a wartime history that spans Operation Torch as well as D-Day.

Our records show the airplane is SN 42-23518, MSN 9380, built in 1943, current N53ST.

I'm sure there are some of you here that have first-hand knowledge of this airplane, so I'm hoping we can find some facts relating to our airplane's history.

Specifically, we're going to have the airplane put into, hopefully, the markings it wore during Operation Torch. (God and everybody else has a D-day scheme, so we want to be different!) If we can't find facts that support this, we'll choose another Torch scheme so we can represent those aircraft and men that fought in that operation.

Let me take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your help. We appreciate it!

Feel free to email me at WarbirdAeroPress@cox.net. Thanks again.

[TonyM]

If your airplane was built in 1943, then it missed Operation Torch.

Operation Torch, the invasion of the North African countries of Morocco and Algiers, occurred on November 8, 1942. Vichy French forces were in control of what was called French North Africa; they surrendered to the US and British Forces by November 11, 1942. The Allies pushed east and by November 16, 1942 had reached Tunisia.

TonyM.

[TonyM]

Friend,

As stated above, if the airplane was manufactured in 1943,
then it could not have participated in Operation Torch, November 8-16, 1942.

On the other hand, it could have operated in the theater during 1943; the airplane could have participated in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily July 9-10, 1943, or Operation Avalanche, the invasion of mainland Italy, September 9-10, 1943.

Operation Husky utilized a massive amount of Airborne Forces. One of the most tragic friendly fire incidents of the war hobbled the Allied Airborne forces when the USN shot down about a hundred C-47s and Waco CG-4 gliders, resulting in a great loss of life.

I want to add that my grandfather participated in all three of the above-mentioned operations--Torch, Husky, and Avalanche.

TonyM.

[Second Air Force]

Yeah, that airplane may have flown over my father as well. He was in the First Armored Division from the beginning in North Africa to the end of hostilities in the Po Valley. I like the idea of painting her in the Husky/MTO scheme as well.

Do you know what Troop Carrier Group (if any) the airplane may have been assigned to during the MTO days? I'll try to help if I can.

Scott

[Scotty G]

I'm going to get the records we have for the airplane, so I'll take a look. I have found, on the net, a reference that it served in the 60th Troop Carrier Group, but this hasn't been confirmed or found elsewhere.

Thanks.

[noizeedave]

Hey there Scotty. Im going through the same thing with our C-47 currently. Dont want tthe same old paint job, but am looking for very specific sqaudron identifiers. I have purchased the microfilm for the 4th and 7th TCS's and I purchased the rest of rolls on ALL the other TCS's in the Italian theatre from 1944 to 45. I will look through the 4th and 7th for your tail number this week, and the rest of the rolls of microfilm are due in on 30 March. I will be searching franticly for our tail number and sqaudron, so I will add your tail# to my search.

[Scotty G]

MUCH appreciated, Dave! Thanks!

[noizeedave]

scott - do you have your individual aircraft record card?if not, email AFHRANEWS@maxwell.af.mil and tell them youd like to request your IARC for your serial number. somtimes 1 week service, sometimes 3 weeks. state your prefer an email copy , but include your mailing address as a backup.

good start to see the airforce it belonged to and moements of the airframe

see my website for ours

[Scotty G]

That was my project for this week - so many thanks for the email address! I appreciate it!

[noizeedave]

i have many contacts for th 47s, please email me with specific questions and check you rmaiobox for my cell # if you require some other info on researching 47 histories. I have someone who is 2 miles from the National Archieves where all the original documents are kept, and i have held documents coverd in blood and dirt still. Very interesting stuff.

[noizeedave]

i have many contacts for th 47s, please email me with specific questions and check your mailbox for my cell # if you require some other info on researching 47 histories. I have someone who is 2 miles from the National Archieves where all the original documents are kept, and i have held documents coverd in blood and dirt still. Very interesting stuff.

[Azpathfinder]

Hello -

I know I'm resurrecting a long-dead thread, but I'm hoping there might be someone who knows something about what happened with the research... did anyone ever find anything about 42-23518?