The C-47 was one of the most successful aircraft ever, praised by General Eisenhower as one of the most important instruments of victory in WWII. Largely a military version of the highly successful Douglas DC-3 passenger aircraft, the C-47 Dakota carried supplies, airborne troops, and other personnel in all of the theaters of conflict in WWII. It was used as a troop transport and glider tug during the invasion of Europe and it kept the Allied forces in China supplied by carrying supplies "Over the Hump" of the Himalaya Mountains lying astride the India to China route. More than 13,300 of the DC-3s in all its forms were built, including Japanese and Soviet licensed aircraft. Although it first flew in 1941, many are still being used today. It last saw action in the Vietnam War as a gunship called "Puff the Magic Dragon", firing machine guns and cannons from it's windows for enemy troop suppression.

Taking place in the same year as the Centenary of the Royal Air Force, our popular Aviation Archive range boasts a commemoration of its own and marks the 20th anniversary of the first release in this popular series. Back in 1998, aviation enthusiasts were intrigued by the announcement of a new range of 1:144 scale diecast metal aircraft models from Corgi, which presented the collector with a number of iconic aircraft types from the world of military and civilian aviation.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USAF Douglas C-47A Skytrain troop transport dubbed "That's All Brother", which doubled as the lead D-Day aircraft, on the night of June 5th/6th, 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 15-3/4-inches
Length: 10-3/4-inches

Release Date: June 2019

Historical Account: "Leading the Way" - In order to ensure the defeat of Germany and the end of the Second World War, the Allied powers knew that they would have to launch a full scale assault against continental Europe, an undertaking fraught with potential dangers. In support of this plan, Allied aircraft began a concerted bombing campaign, targeting aircraft and munitions manufacturing plants, as well as attacking strategic targets in the intended landing areas, all designed to diminish Germany's fighting capabilities. These attacks were always carefully masked by strong diversion raids, so as not to alert the Germans to where the anticipated Allied amphibious assault would take place, making D-Day as much about deception, as it was about preparation.

Finally, after months of planning, the order was given to 'Go' and the invasion was on. At RAF Greenham Common in the late evening of June 5th, 1944, paratroopers of the US 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions climbed aboard hundreds of Douglas C-47 Skytrains, as they prepared to drop behind German lines in advance of the main seaborne invasion force, the spearhead of Operation Overlord. At the head of this mighty air armada and the aircraft which effectively launched D-Day, Douglas C-47A "That's All Brother" would lead a force of over 800 Skytrains over the next few hours, as she navigated through thick cloud and German defensive fire to deliver her precious cargo of brave paratroopers onto their designated drop zones in Normandy and the opening combat operations of D-Day.