C-46s flying in North America

[Stephan Wilkinson]

I'm trying to pin down the number of active, flying C-46s in North America, for an Aviation History magazine article that I'm writing.

China Doll is NOT flying, SoCal Wing has directly told me. Buffalo Air's sole surviving C-46 is also NOT flying, since their certificate has been withdrawn by the MoT. (Anybody know if that will change soon?) I believe Tinker Bell IS flying, and Everts Air Cargo, in Fairbanks, has one C-46 that they tell me operates regularly.

So that makes only two flying C-46s in North America. Anybody know of any others?

[CraigQ]

Everts is no longer operating Maid in Japan & Dumbo out of Anchorage?

[Stephan Wilkinson]

I contacted Everts a week or two ago and asked them if they were still operating "your C-46." They responded that yes, they were--nothing about more than one C-46--and said they mainly flew it out of Kenai and Fairbanks. So it sounds to me like they have one flying C-46. The only one they show on their website is Dumbo.

[JohnB]

As a side note...Trade-A-Plane is listing a flying C-46 in Bolivia for $250,000. It looks nice in the photos, better than you'd expect it to look.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Yes, I've been in communication with Craig Hill, the guy who is trying to buy it.

[JohnB]

It would be great if a warbird collector would buy it.
The C-46 is one of those aircraft we all assume are still out there somewhere, when in reality, they almost gone now.

Besides, for $250,000 it's got be a great deal for a warbird on a price per pound basis (easy to say since I'm not buying fuel for it).
It would be a great support ship for a touring collection.
I hope it finds a good home.

[CraigQ]

I contacted Everts a week or two ago and asked them if they were still operating "your C-46." They responded that yes, they were--nothing about more than one C-46--and said they mainly flew it out of Kenai and Fairbanks. So it sounds to me like they have one flying C-46. The only one they show on their website is Dumbo.

One out of three flying then. While I was in AK, MiJ & Dumbo flew out of ANC, have pictures of them rolling out of a morning. The third one, no pictures of it as it always stayed up in Fairbanks. All were still flying when I left in late 08.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

All were still flying when I left in late 08.

That's a lifetime in the world of warbirds...

[quemerford]

FAA registry worth a look?

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=CURTISS&Modeltxt=C-46&PageNo=1

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Unfortunately, the FAA registry really doesn't tell me which ones are actually operating in North America.

[Elwyn]

Unfortunately, the FAA registry really doesn't tell me which ones are actually operating in North America.

I looked up a DC-3 that's been on a pole for quite a few years but it still has a valid registry that's good for several more years.

[CraigQ]

All were still flying when I left in late 08.

That's a lifetime in the world of warbirds...

Not really, 7 years is just a sneeze for all the 70+ year old's still flying today. The 'youngest' warbird I have worked is a T-28C.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Well, what I basically meant was that in 2008 there could have been 30 C-46s flying and they're all parked today. My most recent research, despite the six or 10 listed as "active" or "flying" on various supposedly up-to-date websites, there are actually two. A variety of supposedly reputable sources will tell you, "Of course there's the SoCal Wing's China Doll..."

China Doll hasn't moved in several years, actually. She's out of annual, needs work, not flying.

[jannipper]

Everts still has 4 flying, I had a tour with them in July 2015
at Fairbanks I saw 5 Everts C-46's
N23AC stored without engines
N1651M stored fuselage

and airworthy ones
N1822M Salmonela Everts Air Fuel
N54514 Maid in Japan Everts Air Cargo
N1837M Hott Stuff Everts Air Fuel

not seen (and probably at Kenai) was N7848B Dumbo (this was flying from Fairbanks in June 2015)

[norman malayney]

There is a C-46 parked at the Gimli Airport, Manitoba, Canada, for the past five years. The Indian band who operated the aircraft delivering supplies to northern reservations failed to comply to a Ministry of Transport directive for an equipment update. So the MOT pulled their licence to fly the aircraft. It appears in good shape; the props are swung by hand weekly, and both engines run periodically.