C-45/Beech 18 @ II21 Ligonier, IN Now with pics!

[gtokid]

Anyone know anything about the old Beech located at Zollinger Strip (II21) in Ligonier, IN? My dad spotted it while out driving around. I have a few pictures of it that I need to scan. Looks like a RCAF scheme. Doesn't seem to have any registration markings. Here's a link to the sat. view:

http://www.runwayfinder.com/?loc=ii21&view=sat#

If you zoom in, it's located slightly to the west in front of a hangar. I'll post pics later. Thanks!

Todd

Last edited by gtokid on Tue Jun 29, 2010 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mrhenniger]

I am not seeing it. Can you post a lat and lon?

Mike

[Pogmusic]

Yes, Mike, look to the west. I can't see the tail. It appears to be in an odd camouflage scheme.

[gtokid]

I marked it here:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.475467 ... 54846&z=14

41.475467,-85.697651

I'll post pics in abit.

Todd

[gtokid]

Pics as promised.

Todd

[b29driver]

Looks to be a C-45 ex freighter. Cabin air inlet not at wing/fuselage juncture. Has short wingtips and horizontal angle of incidence change. Also has cargo door and cockpit hatch. Brake shuttle valve is on wheel, so most likely is an Air Force G or H model or maybe Canadian.

[mrhenniger]

I created a location dossier...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - C-45G or C-45H

I would like to create an airfrme dossier, but it would be nice to have some ID info first.

Pics as promised.
Todd

In your original photos, would you able to see any markings that might indicate a c/r or military serial? I suspect they were painted over when this current scheme was applied, but it can't hurt to ask.

Mike

[gtokid]

Mike, I can't see anything in the pics I have. My dad took them, and I have yet to see the C-45 in person. Next time I'm home, he & I will take a short road trip. Maybe I'll be able to find the dataplate or just do some door knocking and ask.

Todd

[mustangdriver]

I can check it out, it is just south of here. I saw it from the road and checked it out as well when I was weather training in North Webster.

[Taigh Ramey]

One cool thing, or bad thing depending on your point of view, is the Aeroproducts props. These were used on Air Force C-45G's. These props were removed for safety reasons and are not allowed on US certificated airworthy aircraft (not that this Beech has to many concerns about airworthiness).

[gtokid]

I just bought Michael Blaugher's "Guide to over 900 Aircraft Museums". He has this C-45 listed as c/n AF-95, which should make it s/n 51-11538, a TC-45G. The FAA registry lists AF-95 as a TC-45H; N320F deregistered in 1984 from Hammondsport, NY. I also found an accident report for N302F listed as a Beech 18S. If mustangdriver has a chance, maybe he can confirm the c/n.

Todd

[mustangdriver]

I am going to fly down there tomorrow after work. I was talking about it last night with a few guys and they said that it will never fly again. there isn't enough there they said. It was patched together so that the kids would have something to play in. I am going to go down and check it out and will take detailed photos.