C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's storms
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:05 am
I was sent this from a friend that lives in Walterboro, SC. It appears that Spirt of Freedom was damaged by today's storms while parked at the Walterboro airport.
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:08 am
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:27 am
Yes, unfortunately, nature did us dirty.
We have some folks on the ground assessing the situation, it appears to be just sheet metal damage and the wing spars appear to be ok.
As we learn more, I will share what I can.
It’s going to be costly.
Thanks for your support,
Kevin
We have some folks on the ground assessing the situation, it appears to be just sheet metal damage and the wing spars appear to be ok.
As we learn more, I will share what I can.
It’s going to be costly.
Thanks for your support,
Kevin
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:27 am
Airlift48 wrote:Yes, unfortunately, nature did us dirty.
We have some folks on the ground assessing the situation, it appears to be just sheet metal damage and the wing spars appear to be ok.
As we learn more, I will share what I can.
It’s going to be costly.
Thanks for your support,
Kevin
Glad to hear it appears to be just sheet metal and paint. Keep us posted on the fund drive so we can donate!!
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:07 pm
Man, that was some storm. 
Looks like the C-54 might've taken damage to the port flap; did she get blown into that wrecked hangar?
It's awful to see all those wrecked planes- while I'm sorry that the big Douglas got hurt, at least it sounds fixable. That Bonanza and the Cessna blown over the fence into the road? Not so much.
Lynn
Looks like the C-54 might've taken damage to the port flap; did she get blown into that wrecked hangar?It's awful to see all those wrecked planes- while I'm sorry that the big Douglas got hurt, at least it sounds fixable. That Bonanza and the Cessna blown over the fence into the road? Not so much.
Lynn
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Mon Apr 13, 2020 2:14 pm
Official Statement Regarding the C-54 Tornado Damage
To our loyal and dedicated support group: It is with a heavy heart we announce our Douglas C-54, the Spirit of Freedom" was severely damaged early in the morning of Monday April 13, 2020 by tornados that ravaged the Carolinas causing wide spread destruction and loss of life. Our Douglas C-54 was parked at the Walterboro, SC airport on December 18, 2019 for the installation of a new Stratus Transponder to comply with the FAA mandate for transponders meeting the ADS-B requirements by January 1, 2020. Thanks to Swamp Fox Avionics at the Walterboro Airport, our C-54 is now in compliance. It is too early to assess the extent of the tornado damage, however, photographs reveal the leading edge of the right outerwing and the rear left center wing flap area received substantial damage. Due to the many restrictions now in place regarding the Covid19 virus epidemic, it will take some time to reach a full evaluation. Our concerns and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones due to the tornado outbreak. A sincere thank you to everyone for your continued support over the years to the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation to help keep the Douglas C-54 and our Boeing C-97 flying on their missions of history, education, and remembrance about the great Berlin Airlift of 1948 and 1949.
If you want to help, as some have asked, go to http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/donate.html
Thank you.
To our loyal and dedicated support group: It is with a heavy heart we announce our Douglas C-54, the Spirit of Freedom" was severely damaged early in the morning of Monday April 13, 2020 by tornados that ravaged the Carolinas causing wide spread destruction and loss of life. Our Douglas C-54 was parked at the Walterboro, SC airport on December 18, 2019 for the installation of a new Stratus Transponder to comply with the FAA mandate for transponders meeting the ADS-B requirements by January 1, 2020. Thanks to Swamp Fox Avionics at the Walterboro Airport, our C-54 is now in compliance. It is too early to assess the extent of the tornado damage, however, photographs reveal the leading edge of the right outerwing and the rear left center wing flap area received substantial damage. Due to the many restrictions now in place regarding the Covid19 virus epidemic, it will take some time to reach a full evaluation. Our concerns and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones due to the tornado outbreak. A sincere thank you to everyone for your continued support over the years to the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation to help keep the Douglas C-54 and our Boeing C-97 flying on their missions of history, education, and remembrance about the great Berlin Airlift of 1948 and 1949.
If you want to help, as some have asked, go to http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/donate.html
Thank you.
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:20 pm
I'm sure Buffalo Airways will have the parts you guys need to get her flying again.
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Sat Apr 18, 2020 1:31 pm
Why fix it? There are so many good air-frames being scrapped or near scrapping. Make this one a parts bird and save one of the other intact birds to live on.
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Sat Apr 18, 2020 4:54 pm
Mick G wrote:Why fix it? There are so many good air-frames being scrapped or near scrapping. Make this one a parts bird and save one of the other intact birds to live on.
Re: C-54 Spirit of Freedom apparently damaged by today's sto
Sun Apr 19, 2020 9:06 am
Mick G wrote:Why fix it? There are so many good air-frames being scrapped or near scrapping. Make this one a parts bird and save one of the other intact birds to live on.
Your joking right?