What was the meaning of the symbol L4 on a Douglas DC3 slash C47 airplane?

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There are websites devoted exclusively, or partially, to the Douglas DC3/C47 aircraft. I've found pictures of some DC3/C47's. I've not yet found one with L4 on the tail. I'm still searching for the answer to your question.

• The Douglas AC-47 "Puff-the-Magic-Dragon" was marked with large letters EL over small numbers 059 on the tail.

• The Douglas C-47 "Gooney Bird" had USAAF markings with Invasion D-Day Stripes, but nothing on the tail. No L4 at all.

• NASA's "Grand Old Lady" had the medium sized N817NA on the side and smaller NASA over the same sized numbers 817 on the tail. Still no L4.

• Other countries produced DC3/C-47 under license from Douglas Aircraft.

• Russia's version was the Lisunou Li-2. They might have put a L4 on the tale for some reason or another,although I've not yet found one.

• NATO's version, the Showa L2D might have a L4. Again, nothing with that marking on the tail has yet been found.

I've referenced several links that you might peruse.

KEZZART:
L4 was the code name for C-47's of the 50th troop carrier wing that carried troops (probably 101st airborne) for the D-day invasion - L4 was painted on side behind cockpits

The L4 was a aircraft identification for the 91st Squadron of the 439th TROOP CARRIER GROUP, IX Troop Carrier Command. Check out the link for the reference to all the codes used by IX Trooop Carrier Command and the link of an artists rendition of the 101st Paratroopers boarding a C-47 on D-Day.

http://www.aviationarthangar.com/avarthaweweb.html

The above info is correct, the 439th TCG carried the 506th Paratroop Infantry Regiment on the 5th/6th June 1944 for the Invasion of France, as depicted in the HBO production 'Band of Brothers'. Have a look here for some addional info:

http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/en_9tcc.php

The L4 code was applied to the nose of the aircraft as shown in this photo:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:91tcg-c472.jpg

The individual aircraft code letter was always applied to the tail of 9th Air Force C-47s and the unit code on the nose.

First answer by Elthron. Last edit by Micetro 109. Contributor trust: 15 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 29 [recommend question]