C 47 'Skytrain' Serial Nş 43/30719
43/30719

The C-47 Mk. A-DL lost on the Macgillycuddy's Reeks had the serial number of 43/30719. This aircraft was accepted by and delivered to the USA­AF on the 2nd of October, 1943, just ten weeks before its total loss in the crash. The plane was built at the Douglas Aircraft Corporation factory at Long Beach, California, and had constructors number 13,870. On the 10th of October the aircraft was delivered to the Air Force Base at Bear Field, Indiana, which was the Squadron base for the 437th Troop Carrier Group. It is interesting to note that the cost of the aircraft was $109,663 - less than £97,000 at 1984 exchange rates.

In December, or very late in November, 1943, the aircraft was sent overseas, and flew with the 9th Troop Carrier Squadron, 63rd Troop Carrier Group, and the 437th Troop Carrier Group.

The 437th had its Headquarters at Pope Field, Fort Brag, in North Carolina from 10th of October, 1943. At that time its Squadrons were based at Baer Field, in Indiana. On the 29thth of December this group transferred totally to Baer Field. At Baer Field the C-47 crews were trained, and crews were also assigned here. Crews and wives and friends were encouraged to get to know each other, before the departure of the crews to Europe. In this way crew team spirit was built up. Baer Field is about 100 miles northeast of Indianapolis. The Navigator, 2nd. Lt. Frederick Brossard of the ill fated aircraft completed his training at this Base.

The 63rd Troop Carrier Group was based at Grenada Field Air Force Base in Mississippi from June, 1943 to January, 1944, and replacement crews for C-47s were trained here. Two crew members, 2nd Lt. John L. Scharf (Pilot) and 2nd Lt. Lawrence Goodin (Co-Pilot), were trained at Grenada Field.

The Albert Simpson Historical Research Centre at Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama, has advised us that the unit histories prepared during the War by the 9th Troop Carrier Group mention neither the loss of the aircraft or its crew. Likewise the history of the 437th Group does not record the accident either.



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