GI's board C-53 Skytrooper

gisboardc53skytrooper.jpg

These non airborne troops await boarding this C-53. The C-53 was the troop and paratroop transport version of the cargo C-47. It lacked the reinforced floor and had a smaller door.

The USAAF in Europe operated 150 of these, and 850 C-47's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-47_Skytrain