VC-47 "The Grizzly" ...
Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:16 pm
Photos of the VC-47 "Skytrain" Executive Transport (Serial No. 43-15579) assigned to the Fresno based 144th Fighter Wing. Also known as, "The Grizzly" it was used by the Governor and Adjutant General of California.
Today, this aircraft is on display at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside County.
"March Field Air Museum's VC-47A serial number 43-15579 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California and delivered to the Army Air Force on April 12, 1944. It served in the Air Transport Command before it was transferred to the California Air National Guard. Until its retirement in October of 1972 43-15579 carried the nickname "Grizzly," and served as the governor’s personal aircraft during the tenures of governors Earl Warren, Goodwin “Goodie “Knight and Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. After acquisition by the museum, the aircraft was disassembled with the fuselage being used as a trailer, it was brought to the museum on freeways where it was re-assembled and restored. This aircraft is on loan from the NMUSAF".
Today, this aircraft is on display at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside County.
"March Field Air Museum's VC-47A serial number 43-15579 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, California and delivered to the Army Air Force on April 12, 1944. It served in the Air Transport Command before it was transferred to the California Air National Guard. Until its retirement in October of 1972 43-15579 carried the nickname "Grizzly," and served as the governor’s personal aircraft during the tenures of governors Earl Warren, Goodwin “Goodie “Knight and Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. After acquisition by the museum, the aircraft was disassembled with the fuselage being used as a trailer, it was brought to the museum on freeways where it was re-assembled and restored. This aircraft is on loan from the NMUSAF".
Re: VC-47 "The Grizzly" ...
Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:44 pm
Mark,
This cockpit picture is from a version of a Beech 18. Pretty fancy, though.
IMG_2798 by tanker622001, on Flickr
This cockpit picture is from a version of a Beech 18. Pretty fancy, though.
IMG_2798 by tanker622001, on Flickr
Re: VC-47 "The Grizzly" ...
Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:01 pm
Whoops! I posted the wrong cockpit photo ... (very red face)
Re: VC-47 "The Grizzly" ...
Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:18 pm
Pretty crude job covering the rear freight door, at least compared to the ex-C-47 DC-3Cs I've seen.
On those, you could not tell a large door was ever installed.
The passenger door and airstairs also look "homebuilt".
So, probably done in-house, not at a depot or contract.
On those, you could not tell a large door was ever installed.
The passenger door and airstairs also look "homebuilt".
So, probably done in-house, not at a depot or contract.
Last edited by JohnB on Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: VC-47 "The Grizzly" ...
Mon Sep 18, 2023 4:54 am
Love that first shot - thanks for posting Mark.
43-15579 was available at Douglas, Long Beach on 11 April 1944 and accepted the following day. It was slated for mods including glider tow and allotted to Baer Field but the requirement appears to have changed. Instead it remained overnight at Baer on 12 April and departed for Palm Springs on 13 April prior to being placed on indefinite loan to Long Beach from 17 April. It then bounced around numerous ATC ferry assignments including Palm Springs, Stockton and Davis Monthan by the end of 1946.
43-15579 was available at Douglas, Long Beach on 11 April 1944 and accepted the following day. It was slated for mods including glider tow and allotted to Baer Field but the requirement appears to have changed. Instead it remained overnight at Baer on 12 April and departed for Palm Springs on 13 April prior to being placed on indefinite loan to Long Beach from 17 April. It then bounced around numerous ATC ferry assignments including Palm Springs, Stockton and Davis Monthan by the end of 1946.