Information on C-47A 43-15510

[AFROBINSON808]

Joe Baugher's web page states that C-47A serial number 43-15510 was delivered to the USAAF on 23 October 1943. Anyone know whether this is correct or not?

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
From Longbeach Douglas production list -
construction number: 19976 - C-47A-85-DL
http://www.abcdlist.nl/douglas_longbeach_02.html

This book has a table that gives the a/c "Chalk Number" as being "50".
Also four crew names are given on page 120.
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=...-15510&f=false

Alex

[DavidIsby]

Its listing on p. 485 of Jennifer Gradidge's DC-1-2-3, the First 70 Years v. 2 (Air Britain, 2006) shows it in the hands of the 1st Troop Carrier Command at Baer Field on 3 APR 44 and with the Ninth Air force on 28 MAY 44. It does not give an explicit delivery date but none of the airplanes with similar serial numbers have any 1943 activity recorded.

[AFROBINSON808]

Does that mean the a/c's supposed delivery date of 23 October 1943 might in fact be incorrect?

[DavidIsby]

Aircraft with lower serial numbers were delivered in March 1944 in Gradidige's listing. Before going to Baer Field -- which was from 43 on where Troop Carrier outfits went overseas from -- It would have probably made a stop for modifications and fitting of government furnished equipment (GFE) that was not on board at the time of acceptance.