Louisiana Memorial Pavilion February 25, 2011

The Museum's C-47, on display in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, was purchased from a private owner in Hondo, Texas, with funds donated by Lulu and Paul Hilliard of Lafayette, Louisiana. The C-47 carried up to 6,000 pounds of cargo. It could easily handle an assembled jeep or a 37mm cannon. As the troop transport it carried 38 Marines, soldiers or sailors in full combat gear. As a medical airlift airplane it accommodated 14 stretchers and three nurses. The C-47 "096" was present at major airborne missions including D-Day Normandy and Operations Market Garden and Varsity. The airplane was restored to its operable condition and is a cornerstone of the Museum's historic items.