CAF Central Texas Wing
San Marcos, TX


Douglas C-47A-15-DK Skytrain USAAF 42-92847 on 6 March 1944 was delivered to USAAF
4/26/44 assigned to 8th AF, but following day assigned to
9th AF, 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, 9th AF
This is the airplane that was the lead pathfinder of the D Day invasion! C-47 "That's All Brother"
Was delivered to the C.A.F. Central Texas Wing in San Marcos TX where it will be based.

 

Below are photos taken from the Website www.americanairmuseum.com

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Photos 1 & 2
C-47 Skytrain 42-92847 'That's All Brother' of 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, 9th AF. Lead ship of Mission Albany the air dropping of 6600 US paratroops into Normandy, France on the eve of D-Day.

Photo 3
C-47 Skytrain 42-92847 'That's All Brother' of 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, 9th AF. Lead ship of Mission Albany the air dropping of 6600 US paratroops into Normandy, France on the eve of D-Day. Arrow indicates the distinctive dome housing the SCR-717 radar underneath the belly.

Photo 4
The photo shows some of the paratroopers wearing helmets covered with fabric scrim strips for camouflage. The soldier in the bottom right hand corner is carrying his reserve parachute on his upper chest or "rezzie" and below that is his musette pack which was very loved by airborne, tankers, officers, marines and any soldier that could find one. They were better than the M1928 haversack which was standard issue for the infantry where the entrenching tool "spade" was attached to it and couldn't be used with a parachute and was very uncomfortable sitting down in an aircraft or apc "armored personnel carrier" because the entrenching tool shaft would dig into your back.

Photo 5
Crew pose in front of C-47 Skytrain 42-92847 'That's All Brother' of 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, 9th AF. Lead ship of Mission Albany the air dropping of 6600 US paratroops into Normandy, France on the eve of D-Day.

Crew:
Lt. Col. John M. Donalson, Command Pilot (438th Troop Carrier Group Commander)
Lt. Col. David E. Daniel, Pilot (87th Squadron Commander)
1st Lt. Barney Blankenship, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. John N. Shallcross, Navigator
S.Sgt. Harry A. Chalfant, Crew Chief
2nd Lt. Robert G. Groswird 2nd Navigator
S.Sgt. Woodrow S. Wilson, Radio Operator (wounded by flak during the D-Day mission).