Warbird Information Exchange

Hi all. Working on the airstair door on C-53 "Beach City Baby". I could really use some pictures of the original C-53 door and after it was modified, the airstair type door. Don't have much to go on and want to get it right!
Thanks!

Left- or Right-hand door?

I don't think the airstairs came about until after the war.

C2j

Left hand

Apologies! didn't see your thread. I have loads of photos. I'll post some asap.

M

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[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

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That would be greatly appreciated! Still not sure if this is a modified original door or if it was a built from scratch airstair. Either way, haven't had much luck on any sort of pictures or documentation!

I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, or how and what you want to see specifically, so I'll post these for now. Please let me know more specifics and I'll see what I can dig up for you.
Link below for the last 4 photos
https://delta.pastperfectonline.com/web ... 4376480957

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[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

Thanks! That will help a lot!

Jason,

I'm still a little confused as to what you are looking for. I've got a lot of pictures of DC-3 LH doors, both original and airstair.

Are you looking for maintenance / installation drawings for the airstair? I do not believe the airstair was a Douglas part, but an STC by a third party. You may find maintenance / installation drawings and information in old Eastern, Delta or TWA manuals. I'd check with museums that operate the type (Delta and National Airline History Museum (TWA)) and with Basler.

I have maintenance / installation drawings for the original door, but that is of no help if the C-53 is equipped with an airstair door. Who converted the airplane to corporate configuration in 1953? Might give you a start on what STC was used.

C2j

I'm working on the door for Jason and crew. Any and all documentation, whether its photos or drawings would help. It looks like we're sticking with the airstair for now, but also trying to figure out if our airstair was built from drawings or if the original door was modified.
For now I'm just reproducing what was originally there, minus a latch that we haven't figured out the purpose of. It isn't in any of the pictures Mark posted.
My biggest challenge right now is the bottom forward corner (as viewed with the airstair open). The wood has turned to mulch and the corner structure is rotted. I've attempted to make this corner from 2024T-3, but think I'm gonna have to get some un-treated sheet. The rest seems simple in comparison.
Additionally, looking for reference pics of the airstair data tag. It's here, but has very little color left on it.
I've reached out to a few operators, but have had the most success here with Mark's pictures.
As said, any and all documentation of either door type is greatly appreciated!

flypa38,

PM me our email address.

C2j

Perhaps the following will help with the original door?

The linked site is a photo-rich source for Dakota/C-53D, 42-68823, LN-WND. By right clicking on website pics and "Open a new tab/window", one can zoom in to rear door details. Some samples:


http://dakotanorway.no/test/wp-content/ ... C_4532.jpg

http://dakotanorway.no/test/wp-content/ ... C_5402.jpg


I'll leave it to others to search their archive of online newsletters and pics at:

http://dakotanorway.no/

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

As I made a right dogs dinner of my last post of information, then what can go wrong with this one.

Well, those are nice pictures of the C-47 door. The C-53 had the original DC-3 passenger door. Apparently the OP is working on a C-53 that has been converted to an airstair door.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to contribute.

C2j

Hi Cubs2jets.
When you knowingly put different information about a certain version of an aircraft, I expected some remarks
to be what a right ++++++. But you were very polite in your reply and I thank you. I could not find anything
on the C-53, but on going through the C-47 and other variations of that aircraft, I found they all had nothing
on the maintenance of these doors except just oil the hinges. It was not until I got into the Spares Catalogue
that I found those drawings and thought I would put them on this thread. In Western Australia they used mainly
C-47 aircraft that were surplus U.S.A.A.F. after the war and stored in the Philippines or ex R.A.A.F. transports all with
the double freighter doors. The photo of our C-47 door should have been really in bits and pieces as the aircraft was assigned to
be blown up by a new R.A.A.F. bomb, but a pilot in the Air Force advised preservation groups about these historical
planes and because of the uproar, they were assigned to museums. The pilot had a Court Martial and never went any
further in his rank, but he married one of the ladies of the prosecution and is now a volunteer at our museum (true story).
One old C-53 wreck is still up in the Kimberley area and can be seen on this site.
https://tonyredhead.com/blog/c-53-skytrooper-crash-site
and the history on it can be seen at the bottom of the page in this site of ADF Serials. http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a65.htm
Again thank you