Chapter 11 - "The Numbers - In a Wicked, Vengeful Mood" Summary and Analysis

Gann continues to fly the C-47 out of Goose Bay, hauling cargo for the military effort. A new aircraft, the C-87, is also introduced. It is larger than the C-47 and has four engines, a greatly increased cruising range, a higher altitude, better fuel capacity, and a much larger cargo capacity. Unfortunately, it is a very unreliable and cantankerous aircraft, which is nearly impossible to fly with even light icing. The C-87 is used for cross-Atlantic airlifts while the C-47 is used for shorter hauls. While the C-47 is crewed by three men, the larger C-87 is crewed by five, including a navigator and a flight engineer. Most crews are assembled from relatively inexperienced civil volunteers. Gann, like most pilots, flies...