A vital asset to the Allies during World War II, the C-47 Skytrain was a twin-engine cargo aircraft used to airlift supplies, troops, tow gliders, and drop paratroopers into combat. By the end of the war, 9,348 C-47s had been built, and these aircraft continued to serve during the Korean and Vietnam Wars (and beyond by other nations). Depending on its mission set, the C-47 could carry 28 passengers, 18-22 paratroopers, and 6,000 pounds of cargo.
The C-47 "Whiskey 7" is a combat veteran that flew during the opening hours of Operation Overlord (D-Day) on June 6, 1944. "Whiskey 7" dropped 21 members of the 82nd Airborne near Sainte-Mère-Église, France, at approximately 0140 hours on June 6. Avoiding German anti-aircraft fire, “Whiskey 7” and fellow C-47s raced back to England, flying at an altitude of only 100 feet at times. “Whiskey 7” went on to fly missions during Operations Market Garden in 1944 and Operation Varsity in 1945.