Aircraft of the Berlin Airlift: the "Gooney Bird"
One of the many unique aspects of the Berlin Airlift was that it transformed the humble cargo plane into a hero. And it all started with the short-range workhorse of both the USAF and RAF, C-47 Skytrain or Dakota -- known affectionately as "the gooney bird." The military transport that came to be called the C-47 Skytrain by the USAAF and the Dakota by the RAF derived from the Douglas Aircraft Company's DC-3. This twin-engine aircraft powered by two Pratt and Whitney Wasp engines made its debut flight in December of 1935 and first went into commercial service in June 1936. It became an instant success. The DC-3 was the first aircraft that could carry passengers from one coast of the U.S. to the other in less than 24 hours. It was roomy enough to accommodate 14-16 sleeping berths, but it was the version with 21 passenger seats that rapidly became most popular. By 1939, 90% of all airline flights across the globe were made in DC-3s. What no one could foresee at the tim...