Subdeacon Joe Posted June 7, 2024 Posted June 7, 2024 "6 June 1944. Operation Neptune, Captain Thomas Francis Mantell, Jr., His Douglas C-47 Skytrain (6Z), glider tug, `Vulture’s Delight', 96th Troop Carrier Squadron, was hit by flak. He successfully completed his mission, returned to England and was awarded the DFC."
Sedalia Dave Posted June 7, 2024 Posted June 7, 2024 That says a lot about just how tough the C-47 is.
Subdeacon Joe Posted June 7, 2024 Author Posted June 7, 2024 1 minute ago, Sedalia Dave said: That says a lot about just how tough the C-47 is. And how good a pilot he was.
Cypress Sun Posted June 8, 2024 Posted June 8, 2024 Capt. Mantell would be killed 3-1/2 years later (Jan 1948) in a crash while chasing an object thought to be a "UFO". He climbed above 25,000', passed out from the lack of oxygen. went into a spiral dive that he never came out of. The "UFO" was actually a top secret spy balloon code named Skyhook. As the balloon was top secret, he had no way of knowing what he was chasing. As to the Vultures Delight, that was a helleva piece of flying to bring such a heavily damaged aircraft home. May he rest in peace.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.