C-133 Update
Sun May 25, 2008 6:27 pm
Lots of questions and comments about the Douglas C-133, over the past few years. I answered most of them in my book, Remembering an Unsung Giant. Lots of other info on The C-133 Project web site, http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/c133bcargomaster/home.html.
The C-133 in best condition is C-133A 62008 at the National Musuem of the Air Force. But, it is shoehorned into a bunch of other airplanes. Next best, only because it is stored outside, is C-133B 90536, the last one built. It went from the SAC Museum to the AMC Museum, at Dover AFB, DE, about five years ago. It looks just like it did on the Travis ramp, when I went out to fly, which is probably its great advantage over 62008.
C-133A N199AB (ex-60199) is still at Ted Stevens IAP, AK, at least for a while. It is the only airworthy C-133.
Chanute Museum has C-133A 62009, but it is pretty much a shell, from all that I know. It was a "training device" for fire fighters, for some years.
The Pima museum has C-133B 90527. It is okay as a display of the type, but missing the rudder and pretty sandblasted in that climate (just as are many of the rest of the collection.
I own a piece of N2276V/90531, the side number from the left side of the nose. I was able to buy it from the salvage yard on Kolb Rd, in Tucson, that scrapped the airplane. It was my high time airplane in both type and career. That number became the logo for Firstfleet Publishers.
The two C-133s at Mojave are still owned by Cargomaster, Inc, in Anchorage. When I stopped there, two years ago, one of the people in base ops said "we'd like to get rid of them." When, how that might happen is totally a guess. They are parts bins for the rest of the fleet, potentially.
The C-133 in best condition is C-133A 62008 at the National Musuem of the Air Force. But, it is shoehorned into a bunch of other airplanes. Next best, only because it is stored outside, is C-133B 90536, the last one built. It went from the SAC Museum to the AMC Museum, at Dover AFB, DE, about five years ago. It looks just like it did on the Travis ramp, when I went out to fly, which is probably its great advantage over 62008.
C-133A N199AB (ex-60199) is still at Ted Stevens IAP, AK, at least for a while. It is the only airworthy C-133.
Chanute Museum has C-133A 62009, but it is pretty much a shell, from all that I know. It was a "training device" for fire fighters, for some years.
The Pima museum has C-133B 90527. It is okay as a display of the type, but missing the rudder and pretty sandblasted in that climate (just as are many of the rest of the collection.
I own a piece of N2276V/90531, the side number from the left side of the nose. I was able to buy it from the salvage yard on Kolb Rd, in Tucson, that scrapped the airplane. It was my high time airplane in both type and career. That number became the logo for Firstfleet Publishers.
The two C-133s at Mojave are still owned by Cargomaster, Inc, in Anchorage. When I stopped there, two years ago, one of the people in base ops said "we'd like to get rid of them." When, how that might happen is totally a guess. They are parts bins for the rest of the fleet, potentially.
Mon May 26, 2008 7:49 am
Thanks for the update on a neat but somewhat forotten airlifter. Your website link is not working by the way...
Mon May 26, 2008 8:05 am
APG85 wrote:Your website link is not working by the way...
*@#&!! angelfire does not allow 'hot-linking' - so copy the link and paste into your browser window... that way it works
I second the thanks for the update !
Martin
Mon May 26, 2008 10:37 am
Swiss Mustangs wrote:APG85 wrote:Your website link is not working by the way...
*@#&!! angelfire does not allow 'hot-linking' - so copy the link and paste into your browser window... that way it works
Martin
Still won't work...
Mon May 26, 2008 10:41 am
http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/c133bcargomaster/home.html
the 'dot' at the end of the original url is the culprit... - try above link
Martin
the 'dot' at the end of the original url is the culprit... - try above link
Martin
Mon May 26, 2008 10:45 am
That worked, thanks. Nice site...
Mon May 26, 2008 11:03 am
The last time I was at NMUSAF, they had the forward cargo door open for some work inside the plane. LOTS of corrosion and rot along the bottom of the doorframe from her years on outdoor display.
Nice website, but a little hard on the eyes..you might want to tone down those colors a bit.
SN
Nice website, but a little hard on the eyes..you might want to tone down those colors a bit.
SN
Last edited by Steve Nelson on Mon May 26, 2008 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mon May 26, 2008 11:04 am
Yeah she is in the middle of a big refurb.
Mon May 26, 2008 11:08 am
I didn't mean that as a slam against the museum..with a collection that size I'm sure it's a constant battle trying to keep the birds in good shape. I'm just glad to see planes like the C-133, KC-97, and B-50 indoors. That way they can be restored as time permits, and the work won't be promptly undone by exposure to the elements.
SN
SN
Mon May 26, 2008 11:23 am
Oh, I didn't take it that way man. She is in the middle of a big clean up. I am glad to see them come in as well. I will be a little more happy when the rest are inside.
Mon May 26, 2008 12:24 pm
I will be a little more happy when the rest are inside.
You and me both!
When I was down there last time (11/07) I noticed the C-60 had a fresh coat of paint. Sad that they still have to leave it outside. I wonder where they'll eventually put the Lodestar and Ju-52 (not to mention the He-111 in storage)..the WWII gallery is already getting crowded. I suppose they could extend the "Early Years" gallery out to the edge of the Memorial Park. Then they'd have room in the "pre-war" section for the Ju-52, B-23, and the "Swoose"...
SN
Mon May 26, 2008 12:28 pm
I Think that may become a plan. THe rest of the aircraft are due to come indoors in the next year.
Mon May 26, 2008 12:33 pm
mustangdriver wrote:Yeah she is in the middle of a big refurb.
PICTURES!!! please...
Mon May 26, 2008 12:38 pm
I wil as soon as I get some updated pics. 
Mon May 26, 2008 1:09 pm
Hey Stang, have you heard when they plan to break ground on Building 4 (Presidential/Flight Test)?
SN
SN