Roll Call A-H

A - H
This is a listing of anyone that has
assembled, flown, crewed, worked on, ridden in or admired
the DC-3/ C-47/ R4D/ Dakota
Or any of its variants

Owners of N345AB at College Park Airport. based there while they renovate it back to its glory days.

- Ozark Air Lines, Feb 1968- F/O DC-3, now Captain for TWA, based in STL, flying the Boeing 727

- Flew as Radio Operator on EC-47's in Vietnam (1972). - 2nd Generation of DC-3 operations. His father flew often in a C-47 in the Yukon Territories in 1949-1950 on supply missions.

- I enjoyed a vacation in Florida in December 95, I visited Leehigh Acres Lee County Mosquito Control, For those interested in the Dak, this is well worth a visit,

former US Navy C-47,LC-47and C-117 flight mechanic. 1958-1968 Naval Air Station Quonset Pt. RI and William’s Field Antarctica.

flew as a purser on DC3's for Southwest Airways Co. in 1955-1956. Southwest was a local service operator in CA with a fleet of DC-3s. The airline pioneered the two minute, one engine stop and the purser did all the paper work and loaded and unloaded mail, freight and baggage. Southwest had a fleet of about a dozen threes. They changed their name to Pacific Airlines and eventually merged to form Airwest to Hughes Airwest to Republic to Northwest.

I flew C-47s for years as a pilot, instructor pilot, and flight examiner. It is a great airplane, probably never be another like it.
I am in the process of writing a book about the C/AC-119 flying boxcar, shadow, stinger aircraft.
I am interested in any interesting experiences in these aircraft or the AC-47 "Spooky."

I currently fly as First officer in DC-3's for Dodson International Air. We are based out of Atlanta, GA and I am thrilled to be flying the most historic aircraft of all time. It is great to fly into an airport and be greeted by a group of people every time you land.

During 1978 while working as a maintenance rep/mechanic for Hughes Airwest, I was lucky enough to be assigned to work with NORCANAIR and they still had the DC-3 working every day going as far north as one could fly. I have not checked to see if NORCANAIR is still in operation or if so still flying the Grand OLE DC-3. NORCANAIR was operating in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Captain Haley flew the DC-3 from 1941 to it's phase-out of United Airlines. He began flying in the Midwest out of O'Hare avoiding the thunderstorms of the Midwest Summers. At times he can remember asking the passengers to state their choice of going under or through a front! He continued to fly the DC-3 during WW2, spending years in the Pacific islands as a ferry pilot. Captain Haley has stated that the DC-3 was his most favorite aircraft to fly, Since he finished flying with over 30,000 hours in the air, finishing with the 747, that's saying a lot!!

Any one wishing to contact Capt. Haley please leave e-mail with his son at phaley@bellmicro.com

Crew Chief/Engineer flying on Gooney Birds out of Wheelus AB, Tripoli, Libya (1603rd Air Transport Wing, MATS). Flew all around the Mediterranean Sea. Transferred to 7206th Air Base Group, Det. 1, stationed in Ankara, Turkey as Crew Chief/Engineer on C-47's and a L-20, 1954 - 1955. I was also a Crew Chief/Engineer on B-25's.

G'day
I am a member of the Royal Australian Air Force employed at a unit called Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
We operate four C47Bs as flying laboratories and as general transport.

- As A kid I had the honor of being a passenger on a DC-3. I fell in love with the aircraft and am now a A&P in ATL.

UK based aviation researcher with a Web site devoted to Old Airliners & Transports

I am a retired pilot from Eastern Airlines. Early in my career I flew co-pilot for several "non-sked" airlines in Southern California during the early 1960's. These included Blatz Airlines (Burbank), Avalon Air (Long Beach) and Consolidated (Long Beach).
In 1963 I went East and joined Eastern Airlines in 1963 and flew until my medical retirement in 1985. Other planes I have been a crew member on include, Lockheed L-1049G Connies, DC-7B's, DC-9's, DC-8's and B-727's.

Retired Douglas Aircraft Company Historian
His contact with Douglas lead to many friendships not least with Harry Gann,
the company archivist who provided Arthur with many hundreds of DC-3 photographs
while head of Media Relations, Don Hanson, hosted Arthur and Audrey on many occasions.

Not only did the Douglas 'family' think so highly of him;
in 1973 the US Navy invited Arthur to be a crew member
on the last scheduled Super DC-3 flight in Europe making him an honourable member of the
Mildenhall Naval Air Facility at its conclusion.

His books 'Fifty Glorious Years' and 'Sixty Glorious Years' and his final work, 'Berlin Airlift'
are recognised as the difinitive works charting the pictorial history of the DC-3.
But Arthur didn't limit himself to researching just the DC-3.
He wrote definitve volumes on Lend-Lease aircraft of World War Two
and a superb history of Douglas's propliners ('Douglas Propliners DC-1 through DC-7')
which filled in yet more gaps in the DC-3 history trail.
Yet another book featured the history of the US Coast Guard Service
showing the diversity of his knowledge and interests.

We are reassembling an R4D5 to static display as the featured attraction of the "DC-3 High Adventure Club". The club will be located in McCall, Idaho serving as a base for outdoor activities in the beautiful McCall area. Our "Doug" was built for the US Navy, transferred to the US Army and was eventually acquired from the US Forest Service. As part of the project we are building a DC3 Wall of Fame and seek any information, photos or memorabilia and tall tales related to the Plane that Changed the World. Join us for adventure and nostalgia in another year or two when we finally get clearance to "take off".

I have been in love with the -3 since reading how this aircraft made the difference in the Berlin Airlift (1948 - 1949 at one time there was a C-47 on static display on the grounds of the Tempelhauf Airport, Berlin Germany, It was sitting on display on the north side of the grounds near the picnic grounds.

Michael T. Harris - 76304.275@compuserve.com - Crestline, CA USA

I remember as a boy living in Los Angeles climbing aboard a United Airlines DC-3 scheduled flight between LAX and Santa Catalina Island. I vividly remember walking out past the chain-link fencing, onto the tarmac to this beautiful airplane, climbing up the ladder which I couldn't believe was also the door, and walking up the aisle to hop in my seat. I remember the sputtering of the engines, and then taking off. What a thrill! That's when I first fell in love with the old DC-3. My dream is to learn how to fly, then to buy my own DC-3.

Clément Fortin - fortin@login.net - Montreal, Que., Canada

Interesting information on a famous aircraft. Thanks.

Ted Duncan - teduncan@usa.pipeline.com - Washington, DC USA

I flew EC-47P/Q's in Southeast Asia during 1969-1970. Planes had been re-winged/re-engined. Does anyone have information on the many different models?

I flew U S Marine C-47's out of Iwakuni in 1970-71 while assigned to a HAMS squadron.

I Flew as a radio OP in a support group at Manston, UK (1949 - 1951)
I flew with COL. HILPERT, Base Commander. (He Flew P-38's in the Pacific also) I can remember returning home safely with one engine more then once. What a great bird that C-47 is.
I would like to hear from anyone that flew out of Manstron or Bovingdon during that same time period.

I flew DC-3s for a number of years in Southern Africa. We were a cargo hauling operation designed to deliver 'sensitive' goods to Angola. We used to land anywhere, quickly unload and depart (sometimes under heavy gunfire).

I no longer fly Daks but miss them like a long lost love. The greatest plane ever built.

Back in the late 60's early 70's I was involve in the development and testing of 2 Air Force programs involving the DC-3.
Puff the Magic Dragon (DC-3 Gun Ships) and Phillis Ann Program. (DC-3 outfitted with very sophisticated electronic equipment)
All A/C's (about 200 of them) were done in Miami, Florida. and those in the Phillis Ann program were sent to Sander's and Assoc. in New England to install the electronics and they were classified as Secret due to the nature of the electronics.
They were used in Viet Nam to fly at night and search and destroy troops positions with infrared equipment.
They were fitted with R2000 engines rather than the R1830
Generators were upgraded from 100 Amps to 300 Amps. They were renamed as AC-47 (Gun Ships) and EC-47 (Electronics Ships).

He was a 2nd Lt. who didn't get overseas until 1945.
Part of his time was spent at Brindisi as part of a squadron detached from Troop Carrier Command and tasked with flying supplies to Tito's partisans.
These were 2 and 3 plane missions that dropped supplies by parachute or landed in farm fields for off-loading. The flights across water were frequently low and slow so as to prevent the few remaining German fighters from getting to them.(Slow flight characteristics of the aircraft were such that when on the deck the fighters couldn't get down for a decent shot at them.)

Later he flew the Green Project which was designed to get troops from European theater’s to the U.S. rapidly so they could be transported to the West Coast to stage for the anticipated invasion of Japan. The route was from Italy to Marrakesh, to the Horn of Africa, to Ascension Island, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Miami. Pilots earned points and advanced toward the U.S. on portions of the route as their points accumulated. Aircraft flew this route, including the South Atlantic route 24 hours per day about 30 min. to 1 hour apart at times. At the time, it was the greatest people moving project ever attempted by air.

What is remarkable is the safety record of this project considering the Atlantic hurricane season and total lack of Navaids.
Dad told me that after the transatlantic flight they received RDF signals from commercial stations in Brazil. The flight path was offset so they knew which way to turn upon crossing the Brazilian coast. The result of a mistake was a forced landing in jungle or on un-populated shoreline.

A concurrent project named Red Project departed Great Britain for the U.S. utilizing 4 engine aircraft. Because of the more dramatics events surrounding the end of the war in Europe and the continuing Pacific conflict, these efforts seem to have taken a backseat in history.
My research has turned up nothing but vague reference. I would very much like to hear from pilots, ground crew, or passengers of Green project for a possible magazine article, book, or oral history project.

Since my last message, my father has sent me some prints of C-47's at work in the Italy theater during WW II and specifically of his aircraft re-supplying partisans in Yugoslavia sometime in 1945. I'll have these scanned and see what we can come up with of sufficient quality for you to post. Unfortunately these are 1945 B&W snapshots and the negs are gone.

Are you aware of the DC-3 owned and operated by a Finnish crew that serves U.S. skydiving clubs for several months each year across the south? If they return to Skydive San Marcos (TX) this year, I'll get some particulars on the aircraft and some photos. These guys are superb pilots. I've enjoyed just watching them stick the plane on a short field with a runway width about 5 ft. wider than the gear track.
Regards,
Al Armstrong

Nanne Dijkstra - navoornn@pi.net - Nanne Dijkstra pilot on PH-DDA
and air traffic controller at Schiphol Airport.

With reference to: PH-PBA and G-BVOL
After a serious illness and recovering Prince Bernard had a wish to make his former DC3 airworthy again.
A committee (named Prince Bernard Alpha)was set up and funds were raised to investigate if this was possible.
It was decided to use the fuselage of the PH-DDA only , because the wings were too expensive to repair and also because the SN plate stays with the fuselage.

A dc3 was bought in South Africa. The chairman of the DDA had good connections there. The fuselage of PH-DDA was sent to Coventry and the wings stayed with the aviation museum at Schiphol. The fuselage of G-BVOL was sent to Schiphol and was attached to the wings. So the museum had a complete aircraft again.

And PH-PBA had new wings and will made airworthy again in England and will be used by the DDA. (Dutch Dakota Association, Postbox 75090, 1117 ZP Schiphol Holland)

I just finished a weekend of flying a C-47 (N8704) belonging to the Yankee Air Force from the Willow Run Airport in MI to the Frederick Airport in MD. The event was an airshow and we had a great time.

Can anyone help me locate the following C-47s belonging to the USAF at RAF Mildenhall in the 60s?

49409, 50940, and 50887 I flew 50887 from RAF Mildenhall to Udorn Thailand in 1965 by way of Chateauroux, France, Naples, Athens, Beirut, Dharan,Masirah, Bombay, Madras, Rangoon, Bangkok, Udorn.
Cheers for now!

(This is the man that wrote the fantastic article on the DC-3 that appeared in Aviation History magazine
November 1995 page 42..."Bear")

CV Glines new book:
The Amazing Gooney Bird: The Saga of the Legendary DC-3
by:
Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.,
77 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen,PA 19310.
Phone: (610) 593-1777 -- Fax: (610) 593-2002.

I too flew the noble DC-3. I was a co-pilot on 3 or 4 different aircraft
with Austin Airways in Pickle Lake, Ontario. Most of our flying was
freighter related with a little bit of passenger flying.

I have done a little research on the aircraft which I flew.
I was able to track down the history of two of the aircraft.
CF-AAM was registered to Austin Airways, Timmins, Ontario when I flew it.
It was serial # 9862, ex RCAF #10910.
This aircraft was sold to Central Mountain Airways, I believe based out of B.C.
Aircraft C-FBJE was serial # 13453, flown by Austin Airways but carried Air CreeBec livery.
Sadly this aircraft was written off Nov. 1, 1988 at Pikangikum, Ontario.
I don't have a lot of time on the DC-3, about 1,000 hours, but I feel
that I too have had an opportunity to fly a little piece of history.

At the present time I am employed with Canadian Airlines International as
a pilot on another Douglas, the DC-10.

The DC-3/C-47 is my favorite airplane and surely the best airplane ever built. I have 24 years experience working on DC-3s.
I have recently started a web page. Keep up the good work.

I have always loved the DC3. They are 20 years older than I but what a beauty she is. I am fortunate to be able to see a few of then here in South Fla. In fact there is a wonderful reworked one at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Has military markings but has the required N number on the tail. Great site and I have bookmarked it

C-47 PILOT AND ADMIRER I graduated in class 44E in Ft. Sumner New Mexico. Went to Malden MO for C47 transition training. went to Baef Field in Ft Wayne IN picked up a new (12 hours total time) C47 and flew it to Morrison Field in West Palm Beach FL. Flew the southern route to Natal Brazil, across to Ascension Island and ultimately arrived in Naples Italy. Flew with the 60th troop carrier group.

Crewed C-117 for Mag-11 out of Da Nang on flare missions over I Corps area of operations 1968,
Crew Chief was Sgt Don Leamon.
by: Bill Deskin - wrd@ptw.com

I love all kinds of aircraft, but I am particularly found of air planes with round engines especially the DC-3, Thanks for honoring an outstanding aircraft and the outstanding men and women who flew and worked on them.
An outstanding Webpage.

Joe Berberich was a captain when he flew for Gen. Stillwell and the other
pilot that flew with my Grandfather was Col. Tyson or "TY" as they called him. My Grandfather and Col. Tyson were friends for many years until Col. Tyson passed away a few years ago.
I have to get a hold of my Grandfather Joe Berberich and get some information on some of his exploits during his tour in the C.B.I.
My Grandfather always attended the "Hump Pilots" reunion every year until his health started to deteriorate.
I have been informed by my Mother that she has photos of him receiving the D.F.C.
Submitted by: - Terry McKnight - wattshap@psnw.com

I was in the SAC Air Rescue Group at Stead AFB in Reno Nevada.
We used C-47's with JATO bottle assist for take off.
Our landing gear as well as wings were "beefed-up" for short field landings (400ft).
Are there any people still out there, who were from the Air Rescue Group?

I was really surprised at the response to your museum, you receive messages from all over the world, that is excellent. I have been involved with DC-3's most of my life, rebuilding, maintaining and leasing them to commercial operators and fly them.

Ian Abbott - ian@gene.com

In May of 1996 I photographed more than a dozen derelict R4D-8 "Super DC-3s" in Tucson Arizona. All of them still showed their USN or USMC markings, and among them was a very colorful ship which had been used as a navigation trainer.

Bob Boscarelli - bosco@best.com

It's great to see the DC-3 get the continuing recognition it deserves.
I just wondered if there is a way of tracing old plane numbers.
I flew crew on a C-117 at Beaufort, S.C. in 1967-1970. The plane number was
017281. It was attached to Mag-31.
Can you give me any further info or where I can check to get photos or find out the final resting place of this plane?
I flew cross country in it many times and also made it safely thorough the "Devils Triangle". It was simply a great aircraft. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Peter Adderley - adderley@acay.com.au

The Pictures were taken in the 1950's when my father worked with the CSIRO doing the early rainmaking experiments. My father was a scientist and used to carry out all kinds of experiments like measuring the size of the water particles in the clouds. My father took me up in a DC3 when I was very young and I can still remember it like yesterday - looking out of the astrodome at the passing clouds. I have just rekindled my love of this aircraft and would like to know more about how one can get to fly one.

I am overwhelmed, thrilled, speechless, happy, glad and sometimes sad with your Web Pages.
but after all of that, I landed quiet happy in the present time.
Thank you folks. It was plain marvelous like the " old lady " herself.
Ray.

"Ken Goudy Jr." - truckie1@home.com

DC-3 MEMORIES

I was with West Coast Airlines from 1961 until 1968 as a station agent in Pullman, WA. Astoria, Oregon and Yakima, Washington. During that time I was fortunate to fly many thousand miles on the 3. Some of it up front in the jump seat.
I have many fond memories during those years, especially at Astoria, Oregon where we went through the Columbus Day storm in 1962 and through many other adventures including a joint air/sea rescue of a sinking fishing boat at the mouth of the Columbia River with parts being played by myself, one of our DC3s and crew and the Coast Guard.
Through our joint efforts 2 lives were spared. I shall always remember those many stormy days and getting the 3s into AST. All we had in those days was a H Marker, but we got them in almost every time.

Ken Goudy 15140 S. Burkstrom Road Oregon City, OR 97045 truckie1@home.com

My first flight was a round trip in October 1961 from Montreal to Leeds by way of Shannon and Dublin.
Montreal to Shannon by Trans-Canada Airlines DC-8; SNN to Dublin on Aer Lingus Fokker Friendship, and DUB to Leeds on a BKS DC-3 (BKS was a British regional airline).

Returning, LBA to Dublin on an Aer Lingus DC-3, DUB to Shannon by Aer Lingus 707, and SNN to Montreal Dorval on TCA DC-8

An interesting flight; four different types of equipment and DC-3s from two carriers!

Over 20 years ago, I worked on a communication satellite project with a bunch of aerospace engineers and I was the only one who had flown on a DC-3.
Harry Dodsworth Ottawa Ontario Canada af877@freenet.carleton.ca

Although I have never flown on the DC-3, I have come to love it as much as anyone who has.

My father was assigned to an R4D (Bureau number 50777) while serving in the U.S. Navy and has many notable stories.
I'd love to put together a biography of "Bu No. 50777" for him, and hope that you might be able to provide me with any information regarding this particular airplane. If not maybe either you or visitors to your sight might know where I could obtain the information .
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
Mark Dee
mark.r.dee@boeing.com
MARKDEE@JUNO.COM

I treated myself on my 40th birthday by doing an hour flight in the DC-3 based out of California City, CA (The one that used to be in Santa Monica). Both the owner and airplane were superb.

DAVID M BARRON - climax@mindspring.com

Earl A Barron, Captain Wisconsin Central Airlines/North Central Airlines/Republic Airlines

Captain Earl A Barron flew as one of the original Captains for all three airlines flying DC-3's from Madison Wisconsin and Chicago Illinois.
The DC-3 that now rests at Greenfield Village in Detroit has hundreds of hours put on it while my father was at it's controls. I flew that same DC-3 in 1969 out of Minneapolis Minnesota. I grew up under Herman the Goose, the airline logo.

I Put about 4000 hrs. in the "Gooney/Boxcar" during and after WW2.
Only airplane I have flown that flew better than the pilot, if, the pilot let it.
C-54 was almost as good.

This site is so special to me because, I have worked in Maintenance on the DC-3 since 1984.

I wish you success with your organization, and like you to know that the "Dakota fever" is a worldwide madness.

Wayne Hamilton - hamilton@dmi.net

N2298C, N8061A, N3433Y, N707BA, N3FY, N44587,

I think that is all of them. Flew about 2000 hrs. for Salair Air Cargo mostly in the Pacific Northwest US.
Flew one summer in Alaska hauling fish. Flew with many good people:

Bill Hartman, Jerry Ligget, Tim Braidy, Dave Atton, Tim Akin, the list is endless.

In my 2000 hrs I had in flight engine shutdowns 8 times.
The DC-3 is the best single engine 26000 lb. airplane I know.
I haven't flown professionally for a few years but I will always remember my time in DC-3s.

Flew in the 6th Troop Carrier Sqdn. in the South West Pacific during WW2.
C-47 was our airplane until late 1944.
SWPA Gooney Birds:

I am the proud owner of 2 Dakota/DC-3's in South Africa.
I have started a nostalgic airline and am promoting these "Grand Dames" of the skies.
Flying into Africa on safaris and incentives for companies who want to experience the nostalgia of the by gone days.

My website page is http://home.intekom.com/aca

Email : africa@intekom.co.za
Phone Number : +27 11 764 3082
Fax Number : +27 11 768 0236
Postal Address :
P.O. Box 2720
Wilro Park
1731
Johannesburg, South Africa

During W.W.II, I was a young paratrooper serving with the 13th Airborne Division, 515th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
The aircraft that carried us was of course, the venerable, old C-47 "Gooney Bird".
It served us well, both in Europe and in the USA. My first ride in a C-47 was at Fort Benning, Ga.
followed by Camp Mackall, NC.
Although I was a qualified jumper, I spent a lot of time with the C-47 crews towing the CG-4 gliders, because everyone was afraid to let me jump. I was 5ft and weighed 103 pounds.

I worked on Royal Australian Air Force C-47s at East Sale Victoria for two years in the late seventies when they were used for conversion training for the Papua New Guinea Defense Force and RAAF pilots.
I was an Engine Fitter and we also worked on CT4A Air trainers which used Continental IO-360H engines, so we had to be versatile.
At Sale we had two Daks fitted out with VIP interiors and two with cargo interiors.
The VIP Daks were serial no A65-94 and A65-108, and the cargo aircraft were A65-63 and A65-91. I hope soon to have a web page and some photos of some of these aircraft available for viewing. Great site keep up the good work

Phil Boots - kedros@itl.net - Jersey Channel Islands UK

As a longstanding DC-3 fanatic I would be pleased to here to hear from other Dakota nuts!
Jersey was a great place to see Daks in the sixties and one has returned recently- G-DAKK of South Coast Airlines based at Bournmouth.
At a distance its scheme looks much like the old British European Airways colours.Keep the faith!

I was an IP with the FAA in the Flight Inspection Program
I flew out of Kennedy (JFK) and Atlantic City NJ. until promoted to a desk.
I have a lot of time (Type rated) in the DC-3.
I'd Like to see a DC-3 Screen saver with sound.
I'm still working but only about 6 Mo. a year. After next job is done I hang it up.

My first flight was in a DC-3 when I was five months old; my mother took me from Houston, Texas, to Denver, Colorado, to meet my relatives. We were civilians, it was 1945, and she told me she was worried we'd be bumped every time the airplane stopped somewhere.
My second flight in an airplane was also a DC-3, at age 12, when I flew from Denver, Colorado, to Phoenix Arizona, with my father.

We were on the Frontier Airlines flight that hit a mountain over southwestern Colorado and knocked off six feet of wing, yet kept on flying and got us safely to Texas.

I also have some passenger time in C-47s in Vietnam.
Definitely still the best airplane in the world.
I am now a screenwriter here in Los Angeles, as well as an aviation photographer; I've been doing air-to-air photography in California the past 20 years and am published.

I would love to be contacted by an DC-3/C-47 owners in Southern California (or who will be in Southern California) to set up an air-to-air photo session.!
"I'll take the best shots of your plane you've ever seen."

Kanak Mani Dixit - kanak@mos.com.np

I am a journalist in Katmandu, Nepal and edit a magazine, Himal.
The Dakota introduced aviation to my country back in the early 1950s,
and they flew the Nepal skies opening up the country till the late 1970s.
Today, the workhorse of the Nepal skies is the De Havilland Twin Otter.
Sadly, no DC-3s fly these days, but that can hopefully be set right in the future.
Incidentally, enthusiasts will be interested to know that former UN Secretary General Dag Hammerskjold
did the first "mountain flight" in Nepal, when King Mahendra lent him his DC-3
(registration 9N-RF1, formerly Indian registration VT-CBC)
and he flew below Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs.
His write-up on that flight and pictures were printed in the early 1960s in the National Geographic.

Tord S Eriksson - tord.s.eriksson@swipnet.se -Sweden,

who once spent a whole night screwing a new wingtip onto a C-47 -
a few hundred screws a mere nothing with manual tools!

Flying Officer James R Grey

My father, (Pam Grey - pgrey@idirect.com)
flew DC-3's for squadron 437 (Huskies) during W.W.II, Transport Command.
I've grown up listening to his stories flying the greatest airplane ever.

Ed Davies - EDDC3@aol.com

Noted a number of familiar names and aircraft whilst surfing this site.
I co-authored "DC-3, 60 Years and Counting", with Nick Veronico and Scott Thompson,
and was fortunate to fly the north Atlantic in Don Brook's N99FS, msn12425
for the 50th anniversary of D-Day.

In an effort to obtain funding for a DC-3 restoration here in Luxembourg (Europe)
I am trying to chase the origin and present status of a pair of Dakotas.
Let me explain the whole story to you.
I work for a cargo airline in Luxembourg and together with DC-3 experienced mechanics,
I would like to restore to flying condition a DC-3C which used to fly
under Luxembourg registration (LX-DKT) a few years ago.
Now it is rotting away at a coastal airport.

The second aircraft (sub B) is the one which brought our Grand-Duchess
(something like a Queen) back to Luxembourg after the 2nd WW on April 14,1945.

This is a very symbolic Day in the history of our small country
and I want to use this importance to motivate and convince
our government to fund our project.

Therefore, to obtain funding for the restoration of 42-24391 - to put it very sarcastically
- I need to prove that 42-68754 (sub B)! does no longer exist
(or cannot be purchased from, say, a museum).

The status of my information is the following:

A) The aircraft I want to restore is parked in EBOS (Oostende, Belgium)
and has s/n 10253 and was delivered to the USAF as 42-24391 (C-47A-60-DL).
Is it possible to obtain a biography of this aircraft?
B) For the second aircraft, I need the same info.
It is/was a C-53D s/n 11681 delivered to the USAF under 42-68754.
I have no idea whether this a/c still exists and I would like to ask you for assistance on this topic.
I would be very grateful if you could find a response to the questions under A and B,
the latter being the most urgent one.
Best regards and thank you for your time Jo Goedert
Jo Goedert
jgoedert@cargolux.lu

My father was a Gooney Bird mechanic in the USAF,
But is not active.

Karla Damba

Jay Hufman - jhufman@ix.netcom.com

I was a structural mechanic on two C117's at SOES MCAS Quanitco from 1975 to 1977.
After my Marine Corps enlistment I went to Florida and worked for SPADCO Inc.
at St. Petersburg / Clearwater Intl.
I performed repairs on many DC3's .
At the time there were a few scheduled airlines using DC3's.
Those days are long gone though.
I am probably young (44) for having a background in these old birds
but I consider myself fortunate to have worked on them.
I would like to do it again if given the opportunity.

It was great to see some old friends appearing in the "Roll Call", most notably C. V. Glines,
who I worked with at the Air Line Pilots Association so many years ago.
Keep up the excellent job you're doing for us.
After 41 years in military and commercial aviation I retired November 1, 1992
and reside on the shores of the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, reading all those great books,
fishing and playing on the net. It was a great career, for which I am forever grateful,
a terrific ride and I miss it every day.
God bless and keep up the good work. Thanks for allowing me aboard your flight.

Jerry Gordon - gordo97@mindspring.com
looping a R4D

On a flight from New Caledonia to Sydney while flying through a cold front
I think I looped the plane.
let's put it this way...it was pitch dark...lots of turbulence...
a movement I never experienced in 1000 hours of flying this great plane...
Suddenly a flip,and everything that should be on the deck was flying around my head...
my gyro tumbled...and my rate of climb was going down like a rock.
I pulled back on the yoke and seemed to level out.
I really don't know what happened, but the loop felt like it did in a fighter.

J. H. Gordon Lt. Col. USMCR (Ret.)

Anton Coetzer - antoncoe@iafrica.com

I am a keen DC3/C47 engineer.
Living in South Africa you don't get much to do with DC3.
I just wish to thank you for this site.

My very first airplane flight was on Trans Texas Airways
from San Antonio, TX to Corpus Christi, Tx.
The plane, of course, was a DC-3.
I'm planning to build a scale R/C model of that plane and would love to find photos
of a DC-3 in Trans Texas Airways colors.

"Pedro S. Harris" - PSHarris@mail.fm

In early 1991-1992 we were fllying a DC-3 between Guam and Ponape.
The only problem we had was the cost of Avigas which made it very difficult.

John A. Harper - Johnaharp@aol.com

I flew the first and only DC-3 handling qualities flight tests while I was a Research Pilot at NACA.
The flights were conducted in 1949 and 1950.
The Technical report, written by Arthur Assadurian and I, It was issued in 1950.
I presented a paper to the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Symposium
circa 1988 highlighting the pilot's view of the tests.
John A. Harper
Fellow, SETP

Ted has owned 6 DC-3s and has done many Exotic trips around the world,
He is responsiable for many of the established air routes in use in Africa today.
Ted Hunt is interested in contacting people he has lost track of.
submitted by: Kevin Armstrong

Ursula Keuper-Bennett - howzit@turtles.org

Please know there's also a celebration of a special DC3
that worked rounds to the French Frigate Shoals.
She was FAA DC3, N36 and her beautiful story is at:

http://www.turtles.org/ffsn36.htm

I'd appreciate you calling your readership's attention to this airplane
because I'm always interested in "meeting" those who flew in
her and their stories about her.

Ken Cox - kcox@bendnet.com

Subject: R4D
As a young Marine, I made my first parachute jump from an R4D.
I remember it as significantly different from a C47, most notably in
fuselage length and the shape of the vertical stabilizer. I have
searched your excellent site for reference to these differences, but
have not found anything. Have I overlooked something?

Gabriel Martinez E - gmlnad@latino.net.co

Congratulations on your fine work
Do You have any information about the DC-3 "HIPER" that I flew for AVIANCA AIRLINES 1958-1965
These aircraft had the "Big" DC-4 engines (I have lost all my records of them)

Luceen Beardsley (present last name Schmelke) - dmbeardsley@ucdavis.edu

I worked for Douglas at the Long Beach plant in the Blueprint Control department
from September 1941 to November 1945.
I would love to hear from others who were at Douglas at that time,
or receive a list from those on your roster. Thank you.

P.S. This is my oldest son's e-mail address which would be an OK way to contact me through e-mail.

I serviced in the USAFE at Mildenhall England and Upper Hayford AB.
I was an A/1c APG and worked on many C-47s C54S and other aircraft.
We even serviced T-33 and refueled F-100s at the base .
There was also Navy R4D's there. Tour of duty was 1963 to 1967.

Tony Buttacavoli - Buttkolb@aol.com

I have 7700 hrs. in the beautiful Douglas masterpiece,
most of it logged hauling boxes all over the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
I've flown her off of grass runways and coral strips in the south pacific,
I saw the Southern Cross for the first time in her cockpit, and
I've seen the northern lights and the comet from her cockpit as well.
This is the airplane that taught me how to fly,
I treasure every hour spent aloft in her,even all those hours I logged single engine.
These days I'm in larger equipment but through Gods grace and the Yankee Air Force
I still get to log 10-15 hrs a year in the finest airplane ever made
the DC3/C47/R4D/Dakota,long may she rock,rumble and fly.

L.R. Berryhill - JBerry2849@aol.com

Puff's Crew Members
Vietnam USAF and Crew Members

Gilbert A. Bergeron - g.a.bergeron@worldnet.att.net

I was a radio operator on C-47's stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines in 1959 and 1960.
Two of the aircraft were Tail Nos. ??-48481 and ??-49495.
I am very active in radio controlled models now that I'm retired
and have built a replica of the ??-49495. (I set the tail number as 0-49495) ...
Airman Third Class (then) Gilbert A. Bergeron Salem, NH

Richard C De Angelis - rcdeangelis@snet.net

C-47 ECM in Korea
I flew 1800 hours as a special radio operater with the 6053 RGM
(a unit of the 6920 USAFSS Wing) out of K-14 in 1956-58.
Operation "Blue Sky" had four goonies with special radios and was,
I believe, the first "ECM" op that began in late '54 or early '55 at Kimpo.
I don't recall the full a/c numbers, but I believe one ended in 680 - (42-690 or 44-680??) and another was 259.
I always wondered where these tired old birds ended up.
One of our C.O.'s, a Col. Vince Jordan (then a Captain, and since has passed on)
could land that plane and fool the crew sometimes; we used to bet on who could feel the gear touch down.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who knows anything of these a/c
or who later served with the unit after it moved to Osan.

Myke Feinman - ifcomics@webtv.net

I have been a journalist for many years.
I am also a cartoonist, writing novel-length stories about a reporter in 1936 who flies a DC-3.
You can check out the fan site below.
http://community.webtv.net/ifcomics/FreedomTower
I have also written many articles about DC-3 pilots
(Including Richard Hawker of Bonfield, Illinois whom I believe is now in the aviation Hall of Fame)
and the plane itself including a story about the Prairie Aviation Museum in Bloomigton Illinois.

I am also currently the City Editor of a daily newspaper in Streator,
The Times-Press.

Capt Michael T. Connolly - WConno1020@aol.com

Capt Michael T. Connolly flew DC-3 for Provincetown & Boston Airlines 1981-1984
as well as M404 YS11 EMB-110 and C-402

Capt John Connolly - WConno1020@aol.com

Home Town, Manchester By The Sea Mass.
Flew the DC-3 For Eastern Air Lines "The Great Silver Fleat"
Also flew her during WWII and during Korea
did a lot of flying out of Alaska went to the top of the World with her.
Retired Eastern 1980, flying the A-300

http://www.centercomp.com/cgi-bin/dc3/memorial?18
From: "Mark Fouche" - fouchem@mweb.co.za

He flew over 3000 hours on "Daks",
and was the Founder and first Chairman of the Dakota Association of South Africa.
My father was still flying Daks at the age of 63
(Yes he was born the same year as the DC-3)
He had passed his ATP medical with flying colours the morning before he died so tragically.
Funny thing is that most people expected him to die in an Aircraft,
as he was totally devoted to flying, in general,
and flying Daks, in particular, but that would have meant "bending" an airplane,

if there's one thing that I can say about my Father
it is that in over 30 years, and 20,000 hours of flying
he never once so much as scratched the paint on an aircraft...
despite several narrow escapes and close calls.

My Father, Victor Philip Fouche', flew Daks both in peace-time and in war,
and did humanitarian aid in Africa,
as well as claiming "kills"
in the South African version of the "Puff the Magic Dragon",
a C-47 with a 20mm cannon mounted in the door.
He flew many missions against the enemy, and saved many lives during cas/evac operations,
and the faithful old Dak never let him down.

He will be remembered as one of the many people who owed his life
to the excellent design of the graceful lady that we call the Dak.
I will remember his dedication to this grand old lady of the skies,
and hope that I can walk in my Father's footsteps as the new
Chairman of the Dakota Association of South africa,
and that I can do his memory proud.

Eduardo Cuggia - EdNavy1@aol.com

When I got my wings, 1949, in the Argentine Navy,
my first assignment was to a Squadron of DC2 and DC3.
Flew as copilot and later as Captain, the Patagonian route, which ended in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego.
This route is characteristic because of it's severe turbulence, specially due to the
Andes Mountains and it's strong winds,
I will never forget how the sturdy DC3 could resist such treatment.
I also flew a DC3 owned by Tennessee Oil Co, and later for Aerolineas Argentinas
till this Co, grounded them in 1964.
These are the planes I also flew:
DC4,
Lockheed Lodestar,
Avro 748,
Comet 4,
Catalina PBY
Boeing 707;
of all of them, my special memories are for the noble DC3.

Earl U Conley, submitted by: R Brown Ritter - britter@home.com

Earl U Conley and I flew C47 41-18696 during WWII as part of the 314th Air Transport Squadron,
31st Transport Group, 9th USAAF.
Our crew chief was Raymond L Bloomfield.
We were stationed at Grove and Biggin Hill in the UK and Cherbourg & Chartres in France.
It would be nice to hear from any of those who served with us in the 314th.

Submitted by: Randy Hils - CPTHS70@aol.com

I would like to add the name of my father, SSGT Ralph J. Hils .
He flew with the 440th out of England and Europe during WWII.
Survived alot didn't talk about it till near the end of his life,
loved his C47's.
Love to hear from anyone who knew him.
Randy Hils

From: hobbstipler - hobbstipler@netscape.co.uk

As a current DC-3 CAA type rated maintenance engineer
I would be grateful of knowing the whereabouts of any Dakota's still in operation.
Lets keep the "Gooney Bird" flying.

My first flight on a DC-3 was San Diego to Santa Barbara on a United Flight in December, 1942.
I had a couple of hops on an Army Air Corps C47 from Espiritu Santos to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in 1943. During the Bougainville Campaign I was attached to HQ Squadron, Marine Aircraft Group 24.
We operated under AirSols and frequently flew on Marine MATS R4Ds up and down the slot.

Bob Henson - bobbethens@uswest.net

I was in Taiwan in 1969-70 and was able to catch a flight
from Taipei to CCK on a ROC AF DC 3.
I don't remember how many zeros were in front of the last number,
but the last number was a 7 and it was the only number that was not a zero.
Talk about having second thoughts about getting on an aircraft, I did.
We made it OK; only lost power to one engine enroute to CCK.

Philip Hill - Navyintel@aol.com

Philip Hill and Michael Leonard took a first ride on 1/16/00 at Falcon Field,
Mesa Municipal Airport - 6 DC-3's were on display with one providing rides.
It was 20 minutes of history and heaven.

I worked on C-47's at Kirkland AFB, NM in 1958.
I also flew DC-3's for Ozark Air Lines from 1967 to 1968.
Retired from TWA in 1992

Bill Ewing - westwing@escape.ca

I did a total of thirty-seven years with the RCAF (Canadian Armed Forces Air Command at the end),
as an Air Frame Technician and Tech Crewman on C47 Dakota aircraft, including three separate times on the ol' Dak. Love the beast.
#1 girl in my heart...but don't tell the wife!!
Finished up as a Technical Training Sargeant with 402 "City of Winnipeg" Air Reserve Squadron.
Finished my career just after my favourite aircraft was "flown west" into retirement in 1989.,
A few scary trips, but they were usually the fault of the guy in the left seat, not the aircraft.
She never let me down and I am proud to be able to have her listed in my flight log.
we flew the last of the Dakotas in NATO service (with the exception of a few ratty individuals with the Turkish AF).
Our birds were all built 1943/44.
On retirement, we painted one up in RCAF European markings (circa 1945)
and one in SEA (circa 1944). I had the privilage of providing the colour scheme drawings.
Some photos were seen in Air Classics.
"Three mighty cheers for the Dak and the men who busted their butts to keep her flying."

Sgt. W.L. "Bill" Ewing, 402 "City of Winnipeg" Air Reserve Squadron...
final RCAF/CAF operators of the C47 Dakota
(aka ol' Sarg)

Robert Figuly - peau@webtv.net

Having flown the DC-3 as a Dakota (Saudi Arabian Airlines, )
A C-47 for a corporation,
A DC-3 for a charter operation and lastly but not least for a state spraying operation
I have found that the interest in the aircraft. at the various places I have landed at is just phenomenal.
Some of the younger pilots and non-pilot's have never seen a "3" up close
They all expressed a desire to be able to have the chance to fly, or at least get a ride in one.
I have flown behind PW 1830-92-90-72 engines never a WRIGHT 1820 on a "3".
Flew the WRIGHT on a L-18 loadstar and a P&W on an L-18. prefer the PW.

I also flew a "3" for an individual who I guess just wanted to own one,
he figured, rightly, that because he wanted to have his family and friends with him
a smaller aircraft would just not do and for the price a "3" was just fine.
his passengers also included my family, of course. it was great!!

Mike Crawford - gmike@gateway.net

I flew the C-47 as a pilot with the 9th Air Commando Squadron, Pleiku AB, RVN
fron June 1968 thru June 1969.
Psy-ops (BS Bomber) and night flare ships. Greatest airplane in history!
When the manned Mars shuttle lands, a Gooney will take the crew up-country.
Wish I could fly it.
MOONSHINE 25

I would like to have the names of Harry Jensen and Dan Gross added to the Roll Call list.

These two were instrumental in saving DC 3 serial number 2198 from the scrap heap in Terrace B.C.
and restoring her to a static display aircraft, currently located and Langley Municipal Airport in Langley, B.C.
These two put in close to ten years of there lives and countless amounts of money, blood sweat and tears to bring this bird back to life.
When they started, she had sat at Terrace airport for 17 years, abondon, with virtually nothing left
of her save the centre section and the fuselage.
She was Pacific Western Airlines first DC3 which came to them via Queen Charlotte Airlines
when they merged.
2198 was originally American Airlines Flagship Texas,
having replaced a DST of the same name.

No, they are not pilots and no, she does not fly, but that really means nothing,
they preserved the only DC3 in Canada with a left hand door, and note,
I say DC 3, not A,B, or C 47 conversion,
but an actual DC 3, period.
She rolled off the assembly lines in 1937.
Extensive pictures were taken as she was restored and moved to her present location.
Unfortunately, due to an uncaring municipal gov't and a few other seedy people,
Dan and Harry were forced to surrender or move the DC 3 so, they did the honourable thing,
so they thought, and donated her to the Museum of flight located at the Airport
a few years ago, after seeing her completed. She sits today,
still waiting for the museum to do simple maintenance on her,
and there is a rumour that Dan Gross may step in to save her from deteriorating again.

Harry Jensen, the driving force behind a ten year project that took the derelect hull
of DC 3 Serial # 2198 from Terrace Airport where she sat,
stripped out and abandoned for 17 years and not only got her moved to Cloverdale,
to the now defunct BC Transportation Museum on a shoestring budget,
but was also instrumental in the following ten years that it took for us,
The Friends of the DC 3, to rebuild her into the finest static display DC 3 in Canada,
and possibly the world.
She now sits as the gate guard and showpiece of the Langley Aviation Museum
in Langley, British Columbia.
This massive effort was also accomplished with very little money,
but alot of help from owner-operators of DC 3's who realized what a unique bird
we had saved from the scrap heap.

The Friends of the DC 3 North America owe you a debt of gratitude
that was never paid to you and I hope that this is the first step towards it.

Submitted by: "Barbara Zeisman" - barbz@axion.net

Robert Hyde - rjhyde1924@hotmail.com

Like a lot of other C 47 pilots I started out in New guinea and wound up in Japan.
I carried all kinds of cargo from ammunition to money and mail.
Much of my time was spent free dropping supplies to the guerillas in the Phillipines mountains.
On one occasion we became a bomber dropping 55 gal drums of napalm out of the cargo door.
I wish I could forget that one.All in alI just did my job and made it home.

David Bowen - DAVIDInfiniteone@aol.com

DAKOTA's [RCAF 1953-1959] 408 SQN RCAF
I Joined the RCAF in 1953 and became an Instrument Mechanic working on Dakota's
Lancasters, Cansos, and Beech 18's
I also flew quite a lot of trips with DAK's and Lancasters with 408 SQD, RCAF
408sqn was involved with mapping CANADA, and the DISTANT EARLY WARNING LINE.
At that time in history our DAK,S were employed on resupply. or as we used "SHORAN''.
I spent a lot of time living with eskimos.
One day I had to go to a distant frozen over lake to sevice a DAK.
Any one can reach me at:

Col Don Croston, USAF (ret) - CODOCRO@aol.com

First flew in the DC-3 as passenger with Braniff in 1952.
On another DC-3 Braniff flight in 1957, the pilot noticed my Aviation Cadet uniform as I was
on my way to Primary Pilot Training at Spence AB, GA.
He invited me into the cockpit after takeoff and I was there until just before touchdown
at Midway in Chicago! What a thrill for a young cadet who hadn't flown yet!

Flew the C-47 in Vietnam as Instructor Pilot in the 9th Air Commando
Squadron, B Flight at Pleiku AB, Jun 1968-Jun 1969. At night we dropped
flares (Moonshine 25) and in the daytime flew Psychological Warfare Operations
(Bulls### Bombers) dropping leaflets and playing tapes over giant
loudspeakers installed just aft of the cargo door. It was an honor to fly
the DC-3 and I'm proud to say that I did!! I have flown many other
aircraft (including jets), but the C-47 is the closest to my heart!

Daniel P Duffy - twodees3@juno.com

I am Daniel P. Duffy and I started working on DC-2's and then DC-3's out of school
in 1943 for Colonial Airlines for 9 1/2 years then moved on to TWA
for thirty five years I have worked on every part on the Threes
from wheels to reskining wings, fuselages and interiors.
Many hours on night shifts over engine repair
then came the C-54 with time out for a spell in the pacific flying and working on B-17G's
then to the real world of Jet
aircraft 880, 707s, 727s, then on to 747s and 1011 & 767s now retired in Virginia
making models of years gone by. every year was a great there was always something new,
aviation is the only way to go. Dan Duffy

Harold "Sarg" Burrell - rjbaloha@msn.com
My father Harold "Sarg" Burrell, who is now 88 years young,
was a recip engine mechanic on the DC-3 for Allegheny Airlines,
and later Capitol Airlines at Washington National Airport.
He later went on to work for United Airlines and retired after 36 years
from United's Flight Training Center in Denver Colorado.
Just wondering if anyone out there remembers Sarge Burrell?
He can be contacted through my email address above. Great
webpage. Keep up the outstanding work.

Regards
Ron Burrell

Hello to all... My dad Charles Ervin Giles had many hour's in C-47's and C-46's
And He flew the "Hump" in the CBI Theater.
Any one who knew him or of him. Please contact me.
I do not know what unit or group he was in.
All I know is he was the pilot and flew transport missions over the Hump.

Subject: C-47 Airplane
I was a Crew Chief on Douglas C-47 and C-46 Airplanes.
Was a Sgt.in the USAF flew out Anchorage Alaska.
To The Aleutian Island.Nome. Fairbanks.
The C-47 was a great Airplane.
Flying in extreme cold weather at times it always got you back to to your base.

SMSGT PAUL A. Barnes (USAF Retired) - Kefolic@aol.com

I was a Radio Operator assigned to Gazes AB, Casablanca Morocco,
where I accumulated about 1000 hours in 11 months in 1944
on flights throughout North and Central Africa and as WWII progressed on up into Italy.
My flying time was on C-47s & C-46s.
In 1948 I was assigned to the U.S. Air Attache office initially in Tehran Iran.
We ferried a C-117 across the N. Atlantic to Tehran.
After arriving in Tehran my orders were changed and
I joined the U.S. Air Attache in Baghdad Iraq.
I parachuted out of a C-47 over western Turkey in 1948
while stationed with the US Air Attache, US Embassy, Baghdad Iraq.

My father, Lt. Leo Harmon Clary, was a pilot of C-47's during WWII.
He was in a troop carrier division, unfortunately I do not know exactly which one.
(he talked about it only very rarely)
He dropped troops in France on D-Day and also towed gliders.
He passed away in 1994.
If anybody flew with Lt. Clary, I would love to here from them.
Thanks: Brian Clary euro72@aol.com

Robert (Bob) Dunphy LTC (ret) - Frdunphy@cs.com
39th troop carrier squadron (jungle skippers)

I flew goonies at Travis AFB, Nouasseur AB, Morocco and at Danang.
I joined the reserve at Bedford AFB, near Boston Mass.
Flew T-6's, T-7's, T-10's, T-11's and C-45's, it was kind of like a flying club.
I was able to fly any bird any time, and fly the Link Trainer any time I wanted.
Sport flying ended when we were included into a new troop carrier wing
and started flying C-46's.
Even that ended when the wing was mobilizd for active duty.
I was assigned to another troop carrier wing at Sewart AFB, TN.
The squadron that I was assigned to was a prototype assault troop carrier,
we flew C-122's. Strange bird, fixed landing gear with B-17 wheels,
when we carried a jeep with a cannon, the gun barrel came right over the throttles.
There were only eight of these type birds produced and they did not stay around long.
But neither did I, when I found out that there were openings for officers
to attend electronics school leading into a nuclear weapons career,
I volunteerd and pretty much spent my remaining time with munitions.
I'll always believe that my graduation present before retirement
was a year at Danang as the munitions squadron commander in the
366th Tactical Fighter Wing (The Gunfighters).
The wing got that name because they carried the most gatling guns
on the wing in pods. The trouble was that I supplied the guns
and was forever telling the pilots not to hold down the trigger too long--
---BURNED OUT THE BARRELS!---

Dixon Gourley - dxngrly2@yahoo.com

I have about 1200 hours in N17890, at the time,
owned by the Symington Wayne Corporation in Salisbury, MD.
It had the speed conversion kit; wheel door fairings and
the 1850-94 P+W, M-2 version with the blowers.
The interior was "Exec" configuration.

Hello DC-3,Nuts,
I , along with several other people are rebuilding a DC-3, Serial number 3294,
I am a member of Save a Connie Inc. We started this progect in 1993,
and are at the point of being maybe two years out from compleation remaining .
Its an old T.W.A. - North Central airplane with Wright enginges,
come see us at downtown airport, at Kansas City Missouri, or
write to me at , at this address. sudib@webtv.net

I went on a pleasure flight at Coventry Airport in 1985 in a DC3
(G__AMPY).This aircraft was liveried in Northwest -airlines and operated by Air Antlantique.
From the moment I boarded and walked uphill to my seat
(bolted on just for the pleasure flight as this aircraft normally flew cargo)
I fell in love with this wonderful veteran and have been hooked ever since.
LONG LIVE THE DC-3 ---------.

Subject: L/Col. Richard G. Hoyer, DFC, USAF
Aloha, All;
My father flew CBI in WWII after resigning from RAF in 1943 in India.
As he spoke little of his adventures, I seek any information from anyone regarding his missions.
Towards the end of the war, he transferred to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
and was a flight instructor to Brazilian flight cadets as part of the Air Attache operations
for the American Embassy. Resigining after the war,
he rejoined the USAF, flew in Korea, Germany (Wiesbaden), St Louis
(as part of the Aeronautical Charting Service--preparing lunar landing maps)
England--while stationed at South Ruislip, Scott AFB, IL and Vietnam in C-47's.
He was awarded the DFC for actions during WWII-
-but I don't know what for as I have no papers.

I flew C-47s in the 12th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3rd C.C.Group,
10th Air Force in China-Burma-India, January to July 1945
and later in the US for about 1600 hours.

In addition I flew C-46, C45, B-25, A-26, T-33 etc
but the old "Gooney Bird" has a special place in my heart.

I just recieved my part 135 FO rating in a C-47. We are based in Denton, Texas.
Her name is "Vera Lynn II".
I am attempting to become qualified 135 captain in the C-47 as soon as practical.
--keep'em flying!--

Captain Greg Fox, 4000 hrs in DC-3s,
Flew in RCAFas radio operator and radar operator student in 1962
and as pilot in 1970,
trained in RCAF Trenton by Flt Lt Donn Campbell,
first became captain in April 1971 on DC3,
training captain in 1973,
CAF regulars and reserves,
Ilford Riverton Airways, Ontario Central Airlines, Transport Canada and Canadian Coast Guard
and once ferried super 3 (R4D) for SkyFreighters Ltd.
Flew DC-3 on skis,
dropped Canadian Army Skyhawks parachute demo team for summer tour,
flew SAR, trained navigators, carried anything that would fit through the doors,
flew all over North America and Arctic.
Presently check pilot on A320 and A340 with Jamaica CAA.

George Felton" - gfelton@flycapeair.com

I was type rated in the DC-3 in 1969 while I was Chief Pilot for Provincetown-Boston Airline.
I flew them until I resigned in 1975
and then checked out on them again in 1984 when I got back into flying.
Between flying the line, training and conducting checkrides,
I accumulated a couple of thousend hours in them.

Bill Becket - xpressbooks@btinternet.com

Malayan Airways DC3's
I regularly flew as a passenger in - and remember with considerable affection
- the DC3's which Malayan Airways operated between Singapore and
the North Coast of Borneo between 1952 and 1959.
If anyone has any details of the aircraft used
(VR-OAA was the only registration I commited to memory)
- where they came from and where they eventually went, I should be most grateful.
Bill Becket, North Wales, UK

Jack B Harvey Major USAF ret. - jharvey@defuniaksprings.com

Instructor pilot. Flew C-47s with the First Air Commando Squadron at Bien Hoa, Vietnam in 1964-65.
One of four initial pilots (along with Captain Lee Johnson, Captain Richard Waring, and later Captain Charles Gray) checked out in FC-47 Puff The Magic Dragon,
the first side firing gunnery plane used in combat.
Subsequently served a one year TDY tour instructing in gunships at Hurlburt field, Florida,
and wrote the first Air Force manual on side firing gunnery.
Retired 31 Dec, 1969 and spent the next 26 years flying as a crop duster.
Website www.crystallakebooks.com.

Chase Donald L - Donald.Chase@ci.irs.gov
R4D Roster

The first time I hopped a ride on an R4D, I was a senior in High School.
As a member of the USMCR, I got to ride on a hop from Youngstown, Ohio to West Palm Beach, FL.
It was my introduction to long dull flights.
I guess I was actually on a C47 because it had USAF painted on it.
A couple of buddies and I thought it would be fun. Hey, we got to stay in an a barracks,
eat free chow at the mess hall, and fly for nothing. All while we were still in highschool.
I think I can remember looking out a hatch at the ground below watching cars going faster than we were.
How was I to know that after becoming a full fledged Jar head that I'd get the chance to do more of the same.
But then I guess the aircraft became an R4D cause it had USMC painted on it.

Don Chase
(702) 455-1075
(702) 455-1113 (FAX)

Capt William Beal - poohbeam@humboldt1.com

Hi, just found your great page while looking up stuff for my Dad.
My Dad is, William Beal (From: "Winifred A. Beal") who flew in the USAirCorps.
Trained at Burgstrom Field, Austin Texas
and after that was attached to the 315th Troop Carrier Group..
He left them to move on to MATS, Mediterrean Air Transport Squadron
of which there were 3 groups.
If anyone can give me information on the 315th or any squadrons
connected with the 315th, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

F, Reed Hoisington III - MAJ USAF Ret - Reed3rd@aol.com

VC-47A #93753
15-28 Feb 1959 - I ferried this bird from:

Evreux AB, France,
via Chateauroux,
Nouasseur AB,
Morrocco,
Lajes,
Torbay,
McGuireAFB,
Maxwell AFB.

Arthur E. Neumann, retired from the NTSB as Western Area Supervisor.
During WWII he flew the R4D in VR-7.
The South America route filled a lot of log books.
And as with most pilots the hours in the R4D just added more love for the aircraft.
Art is my father, he is fighting cancer
and would love to hear from any of the VR-7 or utility folks he flew with.

Joined 253 in July of 42 After a few months flying SB2C's from Goleta
(Refinery shelled by a Japanese sub)
rejoined Mag 25...to Pago Pago...then to Tontuta.
Col Ross and I dropped parapacks on New Georgia.
WE Want to salute the nurses who flew with us. They were outstanding!
To Edenton and Cherry Point in PBJ's

CMSgt Chuck Blair (Ret)
I have 1000 hours of AC-47 Gunship time.
I was at Bien Hoa in 1968 and 1969
We saw a few airplanes come back pretty torn up but still made it back.
One of them was the one John Levitow was on.

My father was USAAF,and USAF retired 1963 flew the hump in 47s and 46s
flew the Berlin air lift and was an instructor pilot in the 47 and DC-3s
dad was in for 26 years and was given the next grade on retirement Sliver Leaves
he taught me to fly this grand bird, Maj TF DobbsSr.,
my dad and I am T F Dobbs Jr, dad had 4000 hrs in the 47s and 3s
I have 200 hrs in the 3s with 100 as PC
dad and I also flew in South America in the early 60s
you know when it was a hummm?
By the by my e-mail tells a lot. (PopsC47@aol.com) (PopsC47)

I was as a radio operator from 9/44 thru 4/46 on C-47's
flying out of Grove, England; Bovingdon,
England and Bremen, Germany.

At Grove I was in the 310th Ferrying Sq,, the 87th
Transport Sq. and the 325th Ferrying Sq. At
Bovingdon it was the 324th Troop Carrier Sq.,
later the 808th Air Engineering Sq. and same at Bremen.

My call sign at Grove was CYYG
and the tower call was FOIBLE.

11903 North 77th Drive
Peoria, AZ 85345-8251

to encourage everyone to upload stuff....enjoy this picture as long as everyone respects the copyrights.

This one showing F-BEIG (now LX-DKT) in action over Antwerp harbour years back.
We had to gather people to fill the bird and do a sight seeing-tour to enable me to get some pictures ;-)
I myself worked with DC-3's at Brussels Airport in my DHL-days being loader/marshaller !!!!!
Anyone remember walking close to the spinning props to disconnect the GPU ???
Yes, I inhaled the exhaust, who didn't ;-)

WAYNE DAVIS - NO. PALM BEACH FL. - waynno@webtv.net
SOUTH PLAINS AFB=1944/45
I WAS A FLIGHT ENGINEER C47s -
TOWING GLIDER PILOTs IN TRAINING.1944/45==
ANY OLD FRIENDS READING THIS ? ? ?

Hello my Grandfather (Carrol Hall) was with the 318th, the 3rd Air Commandos.
He was a crewchief on a C-47, I believe the tail number was A001. He never spoke of the war.
But when he came to Camp Mackall in 1984 for Volant Rodeo he showed me where all the buildings had been.
I was surprised, I said , Grandpa there are no buildings or roads here.
He scraped the ground until he hit asphalt. He said this was the road, and there was the theatre......
He was always full of surprises.
Once I called him from Clark AFB, Philippines and told him I just got back from running a runway in Okinawa.
He asked where exactly, and I told him Ie Shima, he said oh I was there, we called it million dollar hill.
I just made contact with Mr. Jim Gorman who gave me a lot of history on the unit.
He knew my Grandfather personally. It was an honor!

If anyone has any other information on the 318th, I would love to hear from you.
I was with the 374TAW and the 317TAW from 1981-1988.
I was what you gentleman would call a pathfinder. So I do understand the language...

Patrick Hall

I was with the C-47s that flew from the states after being trained at Forbes AF Base
(kansas) in 1965, special care and training was conducted for all the guys
who were on this top secret mission, we all trained to work, fly load,
and support the birds, (air policemen) and flew with the birds to
saigon, vietnam, as the 3rd and the 4th air commando squadrons,
and were flown all over vietnam in support of the ground troops,
even I, was later covered at dong ha, vietnam, by our C-47's,
one of the birds flew over us all night during a north vietnam attack.

Carl J Dykman - poldermanus@juno.com

I flew C-47 #44-77160 in Japan during the Occupation
from September of 1945 until November of 1948.
The information I have indicates that this aircraft was redesignated as a C-117.
The exact date that occurred is unknown.
All the time that I flew it, it had airliner-type seats for 14 passengers.
I'm interested in knowing of the final disposition of the airplane and
also of anyone who flew it subsequent to my departure from Japan.

I am 71 yrs old in 2002, and I was in USAF during the Korea thing
and I remember hearing about puff the magic dragon being used in Korea
and have several people that have confirmed the fact.
what is you're findings on that ?????

I did most of my service time on C-47 aircraft MOS 43151 and 43171
at Andrews, AFB with the pentagon pilots
scary at times they used our A/C to get their flight skins and stay current.

Tom Brown, A Lawyer in Orange County Calif. and former Marine,
Purchased C-47B/ DC-3 333936 from the canadian government,
Research showed that the aircraft was made for churchill at the end of the war.
Completly restored and flying, the airplane is at Chino, Ca, on display,
while Tom rests from the four year long restoration,
the interior is original the outside is in the livery of Classic Express Airways,
Toms Company that he uses to restore and fly antique aircraft,
especially his first love DC-3 N103NA.
This aircraft has been seen on the US TV series "Flight", and has been in several movies and commercials.

David Appleby - DavidAppleby@compuserve.com

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who served with or is related
to someone who served with the:

9th Army Air Force, 315 Troop Carrier Group,
34 Squadron from 1943-1945 at Spanhoe, England.

I flew the DC3/C47 for Zoom Zoom Air Charter,
later Transwest Air Express from 1977/79 as Captain.
I now fly for American Airlines
out of LAX flying the B757 and B767 to HNL, OGG, KOA

Jack Gildea from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
was a crew cheif on the C-47.
He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II
and received the European Theater of Operations Medal with Eight Battle Stars
(listed in the DZ Europe) and the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.

Subject: Jack Talmage Brown - From: NordicTrk@aol.com

I'm trying to track down some information on my father.
He passed away when I was 6 and would like to learn more about his life.

His name is Jack T. Brown. The T stands for Talmage. He was born in Ochlata Oklahoma.
He wa a pilot that flew "the Hump" hundreds of times for the China Air Charter Service.

If anyone out there knows of him or anything related to him, I'd be most appreicative.

Captain Robert L Anderson (NWA ret) - bestdayever@etech-connect.com

I began my airline flying career in 1967 in the right seat of the DC-3's owned by North Central Airlines.
I flew that wonderful airplane for almost 2 years, accumulating close to 1000 hours.
We operated a fleet of 28 at that point (if memory serves), including 8 pure freighters.
What great memories. I retired in 1998 flying another great Douglas air machine,
the DC-10 owned by Northwest Airlines.

LONNIE W. BRYSON M/SGT. USAF RET. - commando3349@aol.com

I Flew Mmissions In the EC-47 at Na Trang for a short time
and later the AC-47 from Bien Thuy in the Delta
with the 4th Commando Squadron.

My Tour of duty was from Sept. 1967 until Sept. 1968.
awarded the DFC with 2 Oak leaves.
9 Air medals,
the Vietnam Cross of Galentry
and the Viet Air Medal.
Flew a total of 312 Combat missions in one year.
We were "VERY,VERY" busy during the Tet Offensive.
Only by Gods Grace did we make it through this without injuries

Thomas Jefferson "Jeff", Minta McIver Dobbs, and Claire McIver
My grandparents and Cousin- "Lue J. Allred" - luea@allredaccess.com

Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Dobbs, age 53, left his small ranch out of Tishomingo, Olka,
to go to work at Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, in 1943, to "do his part" for the war.
Jeff Dobbs was an accomplished mechanic.
I do not know exactly what position he held in the assembly of the Gooney Birds;
however, he was given a Citation for inventing a small device
that would enable the electrical wiring of the airplane to be completed in a much more efficient and faster manner.
Jeff Dobbs had to leave Douglas to return to the fields and animals on his ranch a while before Minta Dobbs left.

Minta McIver Dobbs, age 52, went along to Douglas Aircraft in either late 1943 or 1944.
I don't know what she did in the assembly process,
but her group was awarded a tiny gold C-47 lapel pin, which she treasured.

Minta's neice, Miss Claire McIver lived with her and worked at Douglas Aircraft in Administration.
Claire, a truly beautiful redhead at 23, remembers that her group was responsible for Inventory
of each and every part used and/or available in the Gooney Bird.
Minta and Claire were working there during "Marketgarden," September 1944.

At some point in late 1944 or early 1945, Claire McIver and a supervisor and several girls were chosen to go to the Chicago plant
and teach the "inventory group" how to organize their department to be as efficient as the Oklahoma Plant.
Claire was put up in the Palmer House Hotel, all expenses paid, for three months.
At age 80 today, Claire has that beautiful smile, although her red hair is silver.
She is ready to go again if Douglas Aircraft needs her!

I served on detached service with the 64th Troop Carrier Group, 17th SQN out of Brindisi, Italy in the year 1944.
I was credited with 72 missions and was given the DFC,
Air Medal with four clusters and my unit received two Presidential citations.
The British controlled our operation and we were briefed and de-bruiefed by them.
My own squadron, the 18th, went to the CBI and I eventualy returned to them.
I participated in the Southern France invasion in August of 1944.
I'm looking for any history and information about this operation of helping the Chetniks and others.

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