CAF B-23

[T J Johansen]

Found this photo on airliners.net: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/793956/L/
Has the plane ever flown while with the CAF, and what is the plan for the a/c in the future?

T J

[Robbie Stuart]

I was the Maintenance Officer for the Cajun Wing of the CAF, & Crew Chief of the B-23 N62G in the early 80's. We did get the aircraft in flyable condition after sitting for many years at the Lafayette La. airport. We did fly the airplane at air shows for a couple years. Some of the pilots that flew her were; Vernon Thorpe, Walter Wooten, Merle Gustafson, Joe Fortich, Charles "Doc" Lewis, Harry Clark, Ronnie Gardner, Jim Orton, & Ronnie Mount. I flew most of the airshow flights, & nearly all the pilot check outs & training flights. The airplane performed very well & I am told by the pilots it was fun to fly. Due to intergranular spar corrision I was in fact forced to ground the airplane in Harligen Texas at "Airsho 81". We had high hopes that a repair could be made or possibly a spar replacement, but that was not to be. The airplane has not flown since. Hopefully someday the funds can be aquired to accomplish the work needed to return the old gal to the wild blue. It breaks my heart to see her sit & corrode away. I am fortunate however to have flown with some of the best aviators of our time in the B-23, & I will always be proud of that.
Best Regards
Robbie Stuart

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Robbie,

A question about that. I had the opportunity to see the B-23 that Kermit Weeks owns when he had trailered the hull to Oshkosh several years ago. It seemed to me that the whole plane was loaded with corrosion. Is that pretty typical of the breed ? And additionally, since the B-23 was based on the DC-3 wouldn't it be correct in assuming that parts could be found or previous repairs by other operators to similar damage be applicable and availible for use ?

My background is heavy structural repair and if the extent of the corrosion isn't real bad...then splicing, along with the proper FAA documentation would be a fair option I would think. Then again, I haven't seen how bad the damage is. Skin work is cake.....spars and fittings are a touch more involved.

[HarvardIV]

Well Maybe you could get the spar from the crashed B-23 in Wyoming.

[Robbie Stuart]

Hey Guys, I have not been involved with the CAF B-23 since the early 80's. After we grounded the airplane, as I understand it an extensive inspection revealed a lot of real bad corrision in a great deal of the airplane. I was not there when this took place. I do remember seeing a good bit of corrision in other areas other than the spar which was a place in the left wheel well. To be honest I am not that familiar with the spar arrangement or design of the C-47/DC-3, so I would not be able to say if the spars were the same, I don't think they are. I have not heard of the same type corrision problems with the Gooney Birds as with the B-23's. I guess when the B-23's were built they never meant them to last 60+ years. Rob I do seem to remember the CAF B-23 being for sale for awhile. It is too bad the CAF & other collectors have stuff that they can't afford to restore/repair setting around going to H*ll, when there is possibly someone else with the resources to do the work. Please do not take this as I am picking on anyone, just thinking out loud. I am just glad I stood my ground back then & grounded the airplane before something bad happened. I think if the B-23 were a more well known or popular type that someone would have stepped up to the table & gotten a restoration process going. The CAF is a great organization, of which I am a life member. They have saved a lot of great airplanes, so maby this old B-23 will be next. Fly Safe!
Best Regards
Robbie

[bdk]

While we are on CAF aircraft what are they going to do with AM-1 and some of the other derlics in storage, my thought is since they can't find a home for them they should put the4m up for sale and get what every they can. My only requirement would be that the person/group whoi buys them must put in writen that they will make either flyers or static displays out of them. Hey this might help Headquaters raise some funds and also give some airframes new hope on life.

Seems to me that what collectors and collections do is collect (projects as well as flyers). Once a project gets to the front burner, it gets done. Are you suggesting that the CAF will never get to this project? Don't you think they plan to make a flyer out of it again someday? What timeframe for restoration is acceptable to you? What timeframe would you impose on the next owner? How would you enforce this? A viable museum should probably always have some restorations waiting in the wings, don't you agree?

[Jase]

I'm not at liberty to say much more than this: Don't expect the B-23 to continue rotting at MAF for forever. There are units, who have the proven capabilities, and are interested in pursuing this.

And no, I aint gonna explain further, sorry.

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Jase,

Great news. I hate to see classic props rot anywhere. Nuff saud...but glad to hear it.

Paul

[HarvardIV]

Jase wrote:

And no, I aint gonna explain further, sorry.

salty, but ok.

[Robbie Stuart]

Jase, Thats very encouraging news. I hope it works out. Thanks for sharing what you could.
Best Always
Robbie

[Skyrider]

Any change on the B-23's status since 2005?

[airknocker]

Here is the latest:
http://www.1941hag.org/files_restorations/b-23.html
Scroll through their forums for numerous posts on the B-23;
http://1941hagforums.mykingairb200.com/ ... um.php?f=6

[AHancock51]

Here is the latest:
http://www.1941hag.org/files_restorations/b-23.html
Scroll through their forums for numerous posts on the B-23;
http://1941hagforums.mykingairb200.com/ ... um.php?f=6

Yessiree! We are the proud owners of the B-23 - now in Geneseo, NY We plan a restoration on restoring everything to airworthy specs with the possibility of one day flying it again...

Austin Hancock
Volunteer, 1941 Historical Aircraft Group

[tex-fan]

that's GREAT guys, please keep of posted.

[Skyrider]

Wonderful news! Thank you both. I'll follow the restoration with pleasure.