Torres
9th Dec 2004, 01:20
Recently read about C-39 aircraft operating in Papua New Guinea between 1946 and 1950. Intrigued, I discovered the C-39 was a DC-2 with DC-3 outer wings and tail.
Why build the C-39 when the DC-3/C-47 was also in production? Did the C-39 fullfill a particular role?
The C-39 adds credence to a story I heard sometime long ago in my miss spent youth. Someone mentioned either a DC-2 or DC-3/C-47 operated in Australia (or PNG) during the war, with a DC-3 wing outer on one side, DC-2 wing outer on the other. Anyone else heard of this - would be interested to know if it was true.
Lastly, around six DC-5's ex KNILM came to Australia during the war and were operated by either civilian or military crews (or a mix) on the Biscuit Bomber runs to PNG and Indonesia. I know some of the DC-5's carried a civil Government registration (VH-CX series) and possibly a US military number. Was a "C" series designator given to the DC-5?
Why build the C-39 when the DC-3/C-47 was also in production? Did the C-39 fullfill a particular role?
The C-39 adds credence to a story I heard sometime long ago in my miss spent youth. Someone mentioned either a DC-2 or DC-3/C-47 operated in Australia (or PNG) during the war, with a DC-3 wing outer on one side, DC-2 wing outer on the other. Anyone else heard of this - would be interested to know if it was true.
Lastly, around six DC-5's ex KNILM came to Australia during the war and were operated by either civilian or military crews (or a mix) on the Biscuit Bomber runs to PNG and Indonesia. I know some of the DC-5's carried a civil Government registration (VH-CX series) and possibly a US military number. Was a "C" series designator given to the DC-5?