Dakota cargo belly hooks

[JohnT]

Just watching a documentary about the crossing of the Rhine in WW2 and during the airborne section there is film of different aircraft types taking off. I stopped and rewound to the clip of 2 Dakotas getting airborne.  Poor quality pictures but look to be US Air as I think I can see those large numbers on the side just behind the cockpit.  What I spotted was the silhouette of cargo under the belly between the wheels - unless some bright spark decided to copy the He-111 bomb load 😀

 

I had not heard of that before but a look on line finds a reference to belly cargo hooks in text but no piccies. Not seen it in modelling form either

 

i can’t make out the load on the video but looks like 4 cylinders side by side.  I am guessing stores containers?

 

Anyone know more?

[noelh]

I recall reading something about external cargo on C47s recently. I think in relation to Operation Manna over Holland. Although it might be Bastogne. Possibly in a magazine like Aeroplane. I'll check. 

[EwenS]

Some photos here of Daks with containers under the fuselage.

 

https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/douglas-dakota-aircraft

 

[noelh]

I came across this photo. Really quite clear. 

https://books.google.ie/books?id=4ZseDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA74&lpg=PA74&dq=c47+external+cargo&source=bl&ots=mKCG2vKP9N&sig=ACfU3U3LmbmuGdkFRsbveryYp2_3_vLAWg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjctLGd8b_oAhW2VRUIHWizBHcQ6AEwFnoECAYQAQ

Edited March 29, 2020 by noelh

[busnproplinerfan]

I remember seeing the maintenance manual for these years ago when I worked for Air Manitoba. I only had a quick look in it and wish now I could've copied it. It did show all the options for mounting items under the center section. The one that I remember the most was the mounts for hauling built props, two I think, at the same time. Maybe get ahold of someone restoring one, they may let you see the manual.

[Sky dancer]

Hi there,

 

I have seen them referred to as "Para Packs", not sure of their official designation..

 

A gent was selling 1/72nd scale ones on Shapeways a while back (without the actually packs), I hope this link will work:-

 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/8NRVXBFXV/c-47-1-72-parapack-rack?li=shortUrl

 

I think Lone Star Models used to do them in 1/48th scale.

 

Colour photo's of the real thing:-

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_e_abbott/42989549245/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_e_abbott/28957322407/in/photostream/

 

Hope that helps!

Edited March 29, 2020 by Sky dancer
Links to photos added

[JohnT]

Thanks guys. Really interesting

[Aeronut]

Parapack fairings was the US method and was well suited to their (soft) parapack method of crating loads. On the other hand the RAF had got into Airborne Forces (in a serious way) before the US and had developed the rigid CLE containers which were sized after 500 b GP bombs as they had to fit the bomb bays of redundant bombers whose bomb bays had been designed around said bombs. As a result RAF Dakotas carried CLE containers on six externally mounted bomb slips as the CLE containers were not considered to be suitable with the US Parapack fairings. However, when it was realised that British troops would have to be dropped by US aircraft trials were conducted that showed that with the lower half of the Parapack fairing removed CLE containers could be carried and dropped.

Edited March 29, 2020 by Aeronut
spelling correction

[busnproplinerfan]

4 hours ago, Sky dancer said:

Hi there,

 

I have seen them referred to as "Para Packs", not sure of their official designation..

 

A gent was selling 1/72nd scale ones on Shapeways a while back (without the actually packs), I hope this link will work:-

 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/8NRVXBFXV/c-47-1-72-parapack-rack?li=shortUrl

 

I think Lone Star Models used to do them in 1/48th scale.

 

Colour photo's of the real thing:-

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_e_abbott/42989549245/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_e_abbott/28957322407/in/photostream/

 

Hope that helps!

Those must be super rare and to see them on a restoration, wonder if they were built recently.

[Sky dancer]

Hi,

 

This page suggests that while they have fabricated some items on "Turf and Sport Special" the para-packs are original items:-

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/243923-more-work-on-the-air-mobility-command-combat-vet-c-47/

 

More info on what can be carried in the U.S. version:-

 

http://www.questmasters.us/M18_Paracaisson.html

[Junchan]

Here's a diagram of the Para-Pack installation.

 

This is a C-47 of the 9th Troop Carrier Command with full Para-Pack load.

 

This photo shows racks for Para-Packs.

 

This C-47 of the 51st Troop Carrier Wing is loading Para-Packs in different configuration.

 

Jun in Tokyo

https://www.flickr.com/photos/horaburo/albums