Hi. I’m new to this board, and am currently writing a novel which involves a flight of C-45’s dropping supplies by parachute. Can someone help me check that this is right?
I need to know how exactly, a 9500lb load of crates would be jettisoned from a C-45 aircraft safely and quickly.
Would the conventional rear-side cargo door be used, and could all the cargo be pulled out on one drogue chute? I would also appreciate any info anyone can give me on standard procedure for paradropping supplies from this kind of aircraft as part of routine military operations.
ps. how many crew would be involved in dropping, and what are their jobs?
Thanks very much
Nick
By: J Boyle - 28th August 2024 at 22:26
I&M amused by the ancient, long-time original poster obviously confused to the point of thinking the C-45 was some sort of assault cargo aircraft!
Ever see the door on a C-45/Beech 18?
In the 60-70s, when they were cheap, they were used for Mail runs in the U.S.. By that time they had cargo door mods, not so in WWII.
At least today a would be author could find basic information on the net.
Yes, not much use of C-46s in the ETO, I guess the USAAF figured they would be of more use in the Pacific.
Also, I don’t think a C-54 was ever used for air drops in the war.The C-47s could do it, so why risk a more valuable type that could be better used for long range oceanic flights.
As far as the new contributor, does he think he’s telling us information we don’t already know…or can look up?
By: PhantomII - 11th July 2003 at 06:10
How much was the C-45 Expeditor used?
What about the C-60 Lodestar?
I love the C-47/DC-3 the most, but the others are more than just a footnote in my opinion.
There’s a C-60 (whatever the civilian airplane it’s based on anyway) parked at the airport here. It looks so antiquated, but nonetheless pleasing to see as it has a quaint look to it as well.
By: David Burke - 11th July 2003 at 00:44
I think they were popular doing the ‘Hump’ so I guess they were sent off there. I seem to remember they one might have operated out of my local airfield Spanhoe Lodge in support of the Daks.
By: Ant.H - 11th July 2003 at 00:23
I stand corrected,cheers David.Was there any particular reason why so few Commandos were operated in Europe?
By: David Burke - 11th July 2003 at 00:06
Ant – some C-46’s were used as tugs during the Rheine crossing
of March 1945.
By: Ant.H - 10th July 2003 at 23:42
A C46 Commando would be fine,but only if the novel is based in South East Asia or the Pacific.The C46 as far as I’m aware was never involved in the war against Germany.
By: robbelc - 10th July 2003 at 12:07
One small thing a C-45 is the military equivlent of a Beech 18 8 seater twin. The ‘daks were even C-47’s or C-53’s.Most of the films I have seen from WW2 just involve shoving out everything out the door as quick as possable!
By: David Burke - 9th July 2003 at 20:50
The drogue shoot would wrap around the tailplane and most likely bring it down. The most likely method would be for the loadmaster to shove it out of the side door as fast as he could.
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July 9, 2003 at 7:10 pm