Pacific Wrecks - C-47-DL "Swamp Rat II" Serial Number 41-38678 Nose 62

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Chronology

C-47-DL "Swamp Rat II" Serial Number 41-38678 Nose 62

USAAF
5th AF
374th TCG
6th TCS

April 1943

5th AF April 1943

William S. Phillips 1994

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas. Constructors Number 6073. On November 30, 1942 delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47-DL Skytrain serial number 41-38678.

Wartime History
On January 6, 1943 this C-47 was one of ten that took off from Hamilton Field Piloted by 2nd Lt. Kenneth A. Young on a flight for Hickam Field. Departed on January 9, 1943 for Christmas Island. On January 10, 1943 to Canton Airfield. On January 11, 1943 to Nadi Airfield and departed on January 14, 1943 bound for Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield and encountered a storm along the way. On January 15, 1943 departed Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield before arriving at Amberley Field. Afterwards, maintenance was performed at Archerfield Airfield.

In Australia, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 347th Troop Carrier Group (347th TCG), 6th Troop Carrier Squadron (6th TCS). On January 17, 1943 departed for Townsville. On January 18, 1943 departed for 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby.

In New Guinea, assigned to the 2nd Echelon with crew of pilot 2nd Lt. Kenneth Young, Co-pilot 2nd Lt. Ear E. Winters, Navigator 2nd Lt. Frank S. Smith, Radio Cpl Leroy V. Nolan and crew chief Sgt Charles E. Westerfield. By the end of 1943, this C-47 had flown 97.1 hours total in the Squadron. After the loss of C-47 "Swamp Rat" 41-38601, this C-47 was nicknamed "Swamp Rat II". This version featured the same rat, but was angled downward and a bent tail, with "II" next to the name. Assigned nose number 62, which was painted in large numbers behind both sides of the cockpit.

A photograph taken during April 1943 shows this C-47 bound for Wau escorted by P-39 Airacobras from the 41st Fighter Squadron.

On January 20, 1944 this C-47 was flown back to the United States for the remainder of World War II.

Postwar
On October 2, 1945 transferred to RFC and later sold to Air Cargo Transport Corporation and registered as NC13726. Later, this registration was canceled. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
WWII Pacific Air Transport History List, Volume 2, page 350, 323, 338
The Art of William S. Phillips "Nanette" depicts this C-47 pages 40-41
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
October 22, 2020

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