The Douglas C-47 is the plane that basically won us WW2. With its load capacity and versatility, it allowed the US to transport and air drop troops into the battlefield. During the Over the Wabash Airshow, a C47 called the Hairless Joe was parked on display at the show. The Hairless Joe was operated by Lt.Col. Dick Cole of the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron within the 1st Air Commando. A little known fact about him– he was Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot during the 1942 raid known as the “Doolittle Raid.”

At the Over the Wabash Airshow, attendees were able to take a ride on this aircraft, for a fee of course. I was one of the 24 people that took a ride on this amazing piece of American history.

The plane lifted off from Wright Airfield and went on a 20 minute cruise around Oblong, Hutsonville, Robinson, and Palestine. It even flew down the Wabash a little bit. Now for an old airplane, it is safe; it was a really smooth ride from the hum of the engines to the glide of the plane.