C-47 on D-Day question

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I'm making progress on my C-47 dio but I was wondering if there are any pics out there on how it would be parked up? I'm wondering rather than just putting grass every where, would it have been parked up just off the runway?

This would allow me to make a base with the grass diagonally across it and the runway showing also.

Adrian

[eddiesolo]

Most WWII D-day piccies, that I have seen, seem to show embarkation of troops with the C-47's on grassed areas just off the tarmac. Have also seen some parked up on tarmac showing D-day markings, hopefully someone more into aircraft and operations will be able to offer definitive advice.

Si

[flyjoe180]

They would have had them organised in lines, all over the place wherever they would fit. http://www.warhistoryonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ae167944_GGDDay05.jpg

[Alan 45]

I agree with Si , I've seen both so it works either way

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Oh that pic is virtually what I had in mind, I've planned to have the plane with the following around it,,,,2 jeeps, one American staff car with Eisenhower and staff around it chatting to GI's along with an American truck off loading crates of supplies oh and a little Tilly as well. I have everything ready to go and have started the 20 plus figures and the Tilly so far

Adrian

[monica]

sorry no help hear, but sounds very interesting and will look forward to seeing it

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Adrian

This diorama sounds very impressive. It is in 1/72 isn't it and not 1/48?!!!

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Cheers

P

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

It's all 1:48th

Adrian

[Alan 45]

1/48 That's one heck of a size Adrian now I'm really interested

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I'm still finishing off my 1:48th Ju-52, but in between I've made a small start on what I hope will be my centre piece. I plan to base it on a two piece base for transporting

Adrian

[Guest]

Interesting question on the weather front. As at that time there were low pressure areas with gales and lashing rain for a good time (remember it well !). So would the C47's have been parked on grass or hard standing. Do not know but there is some weight on the main wheels. Just a thought.

Laurie

[stona]

The weather was indeed not too clever around the time. The invasion was of course postponed as a result. Nonetheless, of all the photos I have seen of transport aircraft which I am sure were taken during the correct period, the aircraft are parked both on grass fields and hard standings. There are many mis-captioned photographs in cyber-space I assume that if they got stuck the aircraft were just dug or dragged out.

I think for a D-Day diorama you are quite safe going with whatever groundwork you feel will look best.

Cheers

Steve

[Ian M]

You have got my attention. 1/48 scale, that's going to need a big board..

Ian M

[Guest]

When I looked up the weather for the days before D Day came across this. Just wonder how this was laughed at at that time.

May 31st, 1944.

The officer in medical charge reports that a minor outbreak of infectious disease (German Measles 6 cases, Chicken Pox 2 cases) occurred but which now appears to have subsided.

Do not think it affected or is it infected any Dakotas.

First aircraft I ever flew in it was called a Dakmaster(Dakota) at that time. Flew from London to Jersey March 2nd 1962. Captain came on. The noise you here (big clumping banging noise) is lumps of ice falling off the wings and hitting the fuselage. Great entrance to flying. You walked up hill to your seat and were given glacier mints by the bucket loads to combat pressure on the ears and what pressure.

Laurie

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

You have got my attention. 1/48 scale, that's going to need a big board..Ian M

I plan to combine two boards with dowels so I can break it down for shows. The way I am building bigger stuff it will mean I take just a few models to shows rather than the 5-6 boxes of single aircraft I've built, its that or buy a van

Adrian