C-47 N74589 Info Sought

[Jerry O'Neill]

We have a new C-47 based in Connecticut. It's N74589 and it is planned over the winter to paint it in WWII colors.
I was wondering if anybody might have some info on it's WWII history.
I don't have the AF serial number yet, but here's what I have:
N-number : N74589
Aircraft Serial Number : 9926
Aircraft Manufacturer : DOUGLAS





Thanks.
Jerry

[The Inspector]

According to abcdlist.nl who have compiled production lists for AIRBUS, CONVAIR, BOEING, and DOUGLAS lists your mystery bird as;
c/n 9926 C-47A-40-DL 42-24064 then post war NC 74589 then N 74589 then listed as static (display) no dates given.
Hope this helps a bit--

[JDK]

A bit of searching on the Bu No that the Inspector found throws up some stuff.

The scheme looks interesting, with the Union Flag on the nose. Vaguely like the Ruskin Air Services livery from the 1980s Roy Marsden 'Airline' TV series.

[airknocker]

It would appear the Edwards Brothers would have the info you desire.
http://www.rockdalecitizen.com/newtonne ... 03219.html
http://www.centercomp.com/cgi-bin/dc3/techmisc?60080

[WallyB]

Served in Europe with 74TCS 434TCG. Minor accident April 1945 in Germany (or France depending on source).
Demobbed 1947 to West Coast Airlines (later Air West), to Aerodyne at Renton cvtd to freighter, to Salair at Boeing Field/Spokane, to Saber at Charlotte, acquired by Dodson (operated ?), then stored Covington Ga. for some time.
Abandoned and seized by Dixie Jet Services (FBO).
"Sold" to Belgian museum but not consumated.
Restored by Clive Edwards et al and flown to Oshkosh 2010.
Rumored to be UK-bound.

Last edited by WallyB on Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

[The Inspector]

An ex WCA and SALAIR bird huh? I probably have some pax time in her as WCA and peripherally was aquainted with the Salerno Bros. and rode in N3FY as part of the DC-3 50th @ EXPO 86 in C eh N eh D eh along with 262crew as a 12 year old and Mr. Widgeon.
When HUGE AIRWURST ( Hughes AIRWEST) went all turbine (F-27's and DC-9's) they sold the DC-3 fleet to AERODYNE @ Renton Muni who operated them as charter and type rating trainers. One night, one of the 3's vanished from Renton and was the subject of an extensive search for several months until found I forget where but several states away (Montana?) abandoned but showing evidence of having had several 50 gal. drums strapped to the cabin floor and the crossfeed had been plumbed into through the floor.
So be careful, you might find some whackey terbacky under the floor.

[WallyB]

Thanks Inspector, I completely forgot about Aerodyne .

The Salernos went on to found Omni Air.

[The Inspector]

WallyB;

I'm still scraping the 'net trying to find photos of WCA's DC-3's-see I've got this really old MONOGRAM 1/48th kit, and.................
And thanks for the update on the Salerno Bros. They were the center point of a PBS program many, many years ago that showed the commercial fishing catch moving system in the bush in Alaska as they were starting SALAIR, not everyone takes the catch to St. Paul or Dutch-

[WallyB]

I'm still scraping the 'net trying to find photos of WCA's DC-3's-see I've got this really old MONOGRAM 1/48th kit, and...........

http://www.airlinefan.com/airline-photos/2167753/West-Coast/Douglas/DC-3/N74589/
http://www.airlinefan.com/airline-photos/3927525/West-Coast/Douglas/DC-3/N74589/

[The Inspector]

WOW!! THANKS! The green and gold original scheme is exactly what I was looking for, yer an awsome dude!!!

[The Inspector]

HEY! Wait a minute! What was the N # of the ex WCA DC-3 donated to, then much later disposed of @ the OMSI in PDX?

[WallyB]

N56589

[The Inspector]

Wally,
Thanks again! Jerry, do you want us to stop rolling around in the pile of stinky old second level airlines?

[Jerry O'Neill]

Actually, I'm loving this!!!!
Thanks for all the input. Once again, this has proven that WIX is a great resource.
I'm hoping someone might have a photo of her in her wartime colors.
Keep it coming!
Jerry

[airknocker]

By the way the seats look to be old first class USAirways!