Italeri WACO CG-4A

Yes, I saw that bird when I went to a MOS school outside of Sacramento nearly 20 years ago. Seeing how that bird was assigned to 72nd TCS, 434th TCG, I doubt it carried paratroopers on D-Day. Especially after looking at the mission taskings of each Group. Even if it did not tow the Falcon, it was most likely part of Mission Chicago and that lift. 

The one thing I really enjoyed about the McClellan museum when I was there was the thorough history on each airframe there at the time.Except the Mig-17, and we can't be too choosey when it comes to ex commie warbirds...

jeaton01

Stik, that is a somewhat familiar airplane to me, as in the past I volunteered as a docent at McClellan which is about 20 miles from where I am sitting.

My goodness, that's about 20 mins from my sister's house. I had no idea there was a museum there.

Nice pic, btw.

stikpusher

Well here is a 72nd TCS C-53 that flew on D-Day and was restored to its WWII markings.

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WME38Y_Douglas_C_53D_Skytrooper_AMC_McClellan_CA

here she is in late WWII

Stik, that is a somewhat familiar airplane to me, as in the past I volunteered as a docent at McClellan which is about 20 miles from where I am sitting.  According to the museum's history it flew paratroopers on D-Day, but now I am beginning to wonder if it might be possible that it is the airplane I am looking for. I've given tours of the airplane but the main airplane I was associated with was an F-101B.  Here is a photo of me sitting in Ruby Ann.

Sorry the guys at the NWWIIGPA couldn't help you, John.  I am surprised you got an answer this quickly, as this is the Thanksgiving weekend and everyone is probably busy with family stuff.  I am going to the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum out in Tyler, Texas soon. They have a small aviation library and I'll check to see if they have any books on glider operations there.  I'll keep checking, just for curiosity more than anything. Might just be one of those details that are lost to history. 

Gary

PS> Mr. Day has an interesting article on "The Fighting Falcon" at the museum site, here:

http://www.ww2gp.org/pdf/FLAGShip-FF2_Short.pdf

Well here is a 72nd TCS C-53 that flew on D-Day and was restored to its WWII markings.

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WME38Y_Douglas_C_53D_Skytrooper_AMC_McClellan_CA

here she is in late WWII

Looks like I am going to have to admit defeat and go to an alternate here.  Since I can't determine the identity of the airplane Whitacre flew after contacting the Glider Museum staff and the person they recommended, Patrick Elie, I am going to put the markings of a C-47 from the 73rd squadron on my C-47.  In one of the personal histories in Elie's site this airplane is identified as 43-16052, CN fuselage code, Radio call sign O on the tail.  Flown by 1st Lieutenant John R. Devitt.  Elie says the Whitacre was flying Chalk 1, an HQ ship, which conflicts with a document I found on his site, so it appears some aircraft switching went on at the last minute.  I'd rather keep the facts straight than have a model to represent the one that towed the Fighting Falcon with markings that are guess.

Yes, based off of that Annex, I would agree about a 72nd TCS aircraft being the tug for Glider 1. I presume that the HQ ships carried heavy drop items.

Thanks, Stik and Gary.  I've been to both of those previosly and didn't read the listing correctly, now I understand that although chalk 1 was a C-47 it didn't tow a glider.  Chalk 2 of the 72nd sqdn is my best guess at this point.

I have sent an e-mail to the address you suggested, Gary, we'll see what turns up.  At the very minimum, I'll use a CU code and a serial from a C-47 close to several that I have found were associated with the 434th at that time.  I'm hoping for the real answer, however.  It would be more satisfying.

John,

Having gone through this process before, I have to say finding the markings for a particular C-47 are going to be difficult.  You might try e-mailing Mr. Day at the NWWIIGPA for his input.  I've found the guys at the museum to be quite knowledgable and very helpful.

Addresses may be found here:  http://ww2gp.org/

(Look in lower left hand corner).

Here is a link to a copy of the annex of aircraft commitments to the 434th's Field Order for D-day. It shows the Group HQ aircraft were not tugs for the Chicago Mission

http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/data/434tcg_04.pdf

have a look at this link for more.

http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/en_page.php?page=docu

There is a roster of ships, gliders and aircrarew for the 73rd TCS, but they start at chalk 17 or 18 of mission Chicago, so the ones your looking for are not listed here... but getting closer... fascinating stuff to me!!!

Off the top of my head, no idea... but now you have me curious about it.... I know there were lots of photos taken on the afternoon of June 5th before take off, and some leaders like that sound like prime candidates for a photo. But searching for such an image...

Stik, I'm trying to figure out the markings for the C-47 that towed this CG-4A.  I know the pilot was Col. Whitacre, the group CO, but so far no luck on whether he used an HQ, or 72/73/74 sqdn airplane.  Any ideas?

Thanks GAF, I am pretty familiar with the tale of that glider's landing. The Airborne in Normandy is one of my areas of keen interest. General Pratt was seated in the co pilot seat and crushed on impact, while the pilot was thrown thru the windscreen and survived with injuries. At least that is how I remember reading it in "The Longest Day". It's been a few years since I last read the book

I think TB is a little confused.  The WACO aircraft company was based in Troy, Ohio.  That's where the name for the glider comes from, not Waco, TX.  As far as I know, WACO gliders were not built in Texas.  Texas did have the glider pilot training school, however. 

Don> Glad you found one!  Looks like the Italeri Horsa is the only glider still readily available in 1/72nd.

Stik> No one else answered your question, but yes, it was this glider in which General Pratt was killed.  Hit the trees at 70-80 mph.

Tanker - Builder

Hi;

  I have had phenomenal luck with Italeri Aircraft . I might just have to find that one . There was a firm here in TEXAS that built planes . Waco , Pronounced Wah co in the town of WACO pronounced Way co . It was a good company and their pre 40s planes were awesome .

 I have always liked the gliders anyway .

They were also built, or major subassemblies at least, in Troy, Ohio.

 

 

Hi;

  I have had phenomenal luck with Italeri Aircraft . I might just have to find that one . There was a firm here in TEXAS that built planes . Waco , Pronounced Wah co in the town of WACO pronounced Way co . It was a good company and their pre 40s planes were awesome .

 I have always liked the gliders anyway .

GAF

John,

Great work!  Having built this kit, I can say honestly that you've done outstanding work on it.  Look forward to the C-47 (I think) you said you were going to do to accompany her.  Oh, and thanks for making me check on the fuselage windows! 

Don>  Amazon lists several places in their alternative suppliers.

https://www.amazon.com/ITALERI-551118-Waco-Glider-ITAS1118/dp/B00061HK9M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1479666644&sr=8-4&keywords=WACO+glider

And there's always Ebay and some "Buy Now" options.

 

 

Thanks- just ordered the kit from Amazon.

Nice build! Is that the glider that General Pratt was killed in on landing in Normandy?

Thanks, everyone for the nice comments and interest.

Gary, I'm working on the new tool Airfix C-47 right now.  Reports to follow!

John,

Great work!  Having built this kit, I can say honestly that you've done outstanding work on it.  Look forward to the C-47 (I think) you said you were going to do to accompany her.  Oh, and thanks for making me check on the fuselage windows! 

Don>  Amazon lists several places in their alternative suppliers.

https://www.amazon.com/ITALERI-551118-Waco-Glider-ITAS1118/dp/B00061HK9M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1479666644&sr=8-4&keywords=WACO+glider

And there's always Ebay and some "Buy Now" options.

Don, yes it is, but i just did a search and could not find any US listings for it, but you should be ableto find it some where.

Is that kit still available?  I have wanted to build that kit.  My Dad's family lived near the town in Ohio where those birds were built.

Excellent!  And the finnish is superb!  

Toahi  

Thats really nice john, i do like those markings.