Warbird Information Exchange

I am looking for some additional information regarding a DC-7 N823D T-110(?) that burned on the ramp one night in May of 1982 in Glendive Montana (GDV). The airplane was either owned or leased by Kinney Aviation, same town.

I believe, but I'm not certain, that Bill Dempsay/Dempsey, not sure of the spelling, converted the airplane to an air tanker sometime in the 1970's. Kinney then acquired it sometime in the late '70's or the early '80's, however, I do not know any particulars on its tanker history which is what I am trying to find out.

I did come across a picture of the airplane, taken in 1973, parked in Florida, before it was tanked, but that is all I can find.

In any event, the airplane was a total loss. The tail section, which did not burn, flexed downward from the fuselage, aft of the wings, and fell onto the ramp, resting on its tail skid. Both wings flexed downward from the fuselage and were relatively intact from their inboard engines. For the most part, they did not burn and they were resting on the ramp at their respective wing tips. The props from at least one engine from each side kept the inboard sections of the wings upright when each blade hit the asphalt. The cockpit section and the nose wheel melted off the forward fuselage and was laying on the ramp on its side. It was a sad sight. No one ever knew, as far as I know, what caused the fire...there was evidence that suggested it originated under the wing center section.

I would appreciate any information anyone out there might have post 1973 until its demise.

Incidentally, T-101 PV-2D N6657D, was operated by Kinney Aviation during this time and was based at Glendive for several years.

Craig Stebbins

Google images finds a few pictures for N823D; most are undated but one (at least) is from 1976. It was delivered to Eastern, sold to California Airmotive, leased to Overseas National, bought by American Sportsmen Travel Club, bought by Central Air Services 1974, converted to tanker (110) and finally sold to Kinney in 1981. I don't know if it actually worked fires with Kinney, being destroyed in May next year casts some doubt.

Incidentally, while in service with Eastern it was struck by lightning which removed 18 inches of the rudder
http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=132

I believe it was Bill Dempsey's plane originally heard about it some years ago in a pilot shack conversation,in, I believe Billings, in '96 .