C-47 Para Pod
The USSAF Aerial Delivery Container were containers that were used by the Airborne Divisions to deliver arms, medical supplies and food. The C-47 "Skytrain" could carry up to six Parapacks in the Paracaissons underslung per flight.
FORM B PARACHUTE, above photo.
The section pictured above is from the original manifest for C-47A 43-15137 for June 6th 1944. This manifest was known as the Form B Parachute. The document contained the aircraft number, chalk number, mission, crew, date, paratrooper names and cargo. It is signed by the chalk leader Lt. James F. Clarke.
The section pictured above is from the original manifest for C-47A 43-15137 for June 6th 1944. This manifest was known as the Form B Parachute. The document contained the aircraft number, chalk number, mission, crew, date, paratrooper names and cargo. It is signed by the chalk leader Lt. James F. Clarke.
"Chalk 40" carried four containers on June 6th 1944.
Container 1: Light Machine Gun (LMG) & Ammunition, 230 pounds
Container 2: LMG Ammunition & Anti-Tank (AT) Grenades, 220 pounds
Container 3: LMG Ammunition & Anti-Tank (AT) Grenades, 221 pounds
Container 4: S-4 Bundle (Rations), 150 pounds
Container 1: Light Machine Gun (LMG) & Ammunition, 230 pounds
Container 2: LMG Ammunition & Anti-Tank (AT) Grenades, 220 pounds
Container 3: LMG Ammunition & Anti-Tank (AT) Grenades, 221 pounds
Container 4: S-4 Bundle (Rations), 150 pounds
All containers were cushioned by Griswold bags that were packed with cotton, horsehair or more Griswold bags for breaking down the loads into carry bags.
Then wrapped in an outer canvas bag for slinging under the aircraft , these could have coloured ends to aid in identification (Arnhem campaign)
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| A-4 delivery container 1m long by 60cm Width x 60cm depth 24KG capacity |
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| A-5 Delivery container 113cm x 60cm x 60 90KG capacity |
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| The end of one cover is marked: CO. F for Company F, 2nd Battalion. |
A6 delivery container
The A-6 delivery container was heavy duty cavas packed with stiff Cardboard boxes inside for specialist ammunition, 37mm antitank ammunition, bazooka ammunition, small arms ammunition or mortar rounds . Max weight 90 kg 70cm x 60 x 60cm
A7 Special delivery container
A-7 delivery container is a heavy duty canvas bag, and heavy cardboard packs for special weapons, 81mm mortar, tripod, bazooka, 30 cal and 50 cal machine guns. 2m x 60 x 60 max weight 90 kg
Type A-1 Aerial Delivery Container Identification Lamp Assembly, above photo.
The Type A-1 Lamp was used to mark the Parapack when deployed at night. The lamp, or light, aided the paratroopers to find and identify the equipment on the ground. Green lights were used for Quartermaster Corps Class III items - rations, water, clothing; Amber or Yellow lights were used for Ordnance Corps items - ammunition, weapons, spare parts; Red lights were used for Engineer Corps items - mines, explosives; and Blue lights were used for Chemical Warfare Corps items - gas related
The Type A-1 Lamp was used to mark the Parapack when deployed at night. The lamp, or light, aided the paratroopers to find and identify the equipment on the ground. Green lights were used for Quartermaster Corps Class III items - rations, water, clothing; Amber or Yellow lights were used for Ordnance Corps items - ammunition, weapons, spare parts; Red lights were used for Engineer Corps items - mines, explosives; and Blue lights were used for Chemical Warfare Corps items - gas related
items, chemical grenades (AN-M8 Smoke, M-14 Thermite, etc) smoke shells, and the 4.2" Chemical Mortar and shells.
The Type A-1 Lamp was held to the parapack via two metal loops that could be tied to any part of the pack. A small piece of
plastic was placed between two metal electrical contacts, and when removed, the lamp would illuminate. The lamp was
powered by two BA-30 Batteries or Type "C" cell.
The lamp corresponded to the parachute color for visual identification, when the parapack was descending. Ordnance cargo would have a yellow parachute and yellow lamp. These colors were also used on the crates for shipping these items overseas. These markings were known as "corner markings". An Ordnance Corps crate would have yellow corner markings.
The Type A-1 Lamp was held to the parapack via two metal loops that could be tied to any part of the pack. A small piece of
plastic was placed between two metal electrical contacts, and when removed, the lamp would illuminate. The lamp was
powered by two BA-30 Batteries or Type "C" cell.
The lamp corresponded to the parachute color for visual identification, when the parapack was descending. Ordnance cargo would have a yellow parachute and yellow lamp. These colors were also used on the crates for shipping these items overseas. These markings were known as "corner markings". An Ordnance Corps crate would have yellow corner markings.
This restored 1943 M3A4 Hand Cart, Utility, in the QuestMasters Museum collection, was made by John Wood Manufacturing Company, Serial Number 19602. The cart is shown with an A-5 Aerial Delivery Container with A-1 Lamp with yellow lens and yellow parachute. The yellow color denoted that the contents of this container contained ordnance supplies, such as ammunition. Colored lamps and parachutes
were used for easy recognition of parapacks or containers during recovery.
The Merville Battery C-47 Skytrain is the only Snfau Dday aircraft is the only one I have seen fitted with the containers and Cassions
Matt
