C-97 Landing Gear Retraction Test UPDATED VIDEO 11-20-07

[Warbird Kid]

See, thats what makes your group so unique! "The Catch" "The Draw" or whatever else you would call it. Its because there is no other group like you guys around. It would be nice to see more of these behemoth haulers in the skies again!

Ive had a brain skip for a second here, What transports took part in the actual airlift?

What a collection it would be to obtain a flying fleet!

[Broken-Wrench]

See, thats what makes your group so unique! "The Catch" "The Draw" or whatever else you would call it. Its because there is no other group like you guys around. It would be nice to see more of these behemoth haulers in the skies again!

Ive had a brain skip for a second here, What transports took part in the actual airlift?

What a collection it would be to obtain a flying fleet!

You wanted a plane to play with! There you go it's close enough to drive to and it's a flyer.

[Django]

I had no idea about this project. Very cool!!

Here's the hulk Gary's talking about...

[Warbird Kid]

I don’t know about close. But its deffentlly closer than other musums. If I’m gonna commit to a particular air museum/ organization/ group, I’m gonna be spending allot of time there! If the group is somewhat out of the way, and you still want to be a constant active member, that just further complicates things.

[Airlift48]

Aircraft of the Berlin Airlift:

C-47's were there in the beginning until Gen. Tunner phased them out for the larger C-54's. (330 of them) 5 C-82 Packets were used for special cargo, and one C-74 Globemaster.

In early May of 49, YC-97A 45-59595, the 3rd built YC-97A (YC-97's had 3350s and a -29 size tail, while the YC-97A's had 4360's and the -50 tail)
was used for test purposes, and to let the Russians know that we have even bigger stuff. The plan was to use a fleet of 97's if the airlift had to go on into the 50's, and do it in half the flights. It suffered a landing gear problem at Rhein-Main and before it was fixed, the blockade was lifted on May 12.

The Brits used everything they could, such as C-47's (Dakotas), Hastings, Yorks, Sundeland Flying Boats, Halifaxes, Modified Lancasters (Lancastrians), and Avro Tudors.

As far as a flying fleet goes, the only C-82 is at Hagerstown, there are no C-74's, therefore a C-47 in RAF colors is probably the only expansion of the Airlift fleet that can be made.

Yes, you can support our project if you're close enough in person, but as you all know, money is the biggest obstacle.

(Sales Pitch)

So, If you want to help keep our C-54 in the air and get our C-97 out on the circuit, you can PayPal the Foundation through our website at www.spiritoffreedom.org. If you prefer the old fashioned way, the address is:
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation
PO BOX 782
Farmingdale, NJ 07727

If you'd like to be a supporting member and get in the loop on newsletters and the ability to come on out and help, please visit the link titled "National Support Group" on our website. We only ask for $50.00 a year to be a Supporting member.

(End of sales pitch)

KK

[Warbird Kid]

Thanks Kevin!

[Pat Carry]

I toured the C-54 at Oshkosh last week. What a great tribute to the airlift you have there!

[Airlift48]

Thanks, Pat. I wish you would have introduced yourself. We didn't know too many at the WIX gathering, but we also got there late and got out just in time for the rain. It was wonderful, though. Zack and Jenn sure did put out a nice spread and provided good company.

[Airlift48]

Pat, arent you the fellow that took a few photos of it while it was owned by Millard? We've talked, I think, via emai. Werent you the guy who took a pic of it in a half hearted TWA scheme while Mr. Millard owned it?

[Jack Frost]

<YC-97A 45-59595, the 3rd built YC-97A (YC-97's had 3350s and a -29 size tail, while the YC-97A's had 4360's and the -50 tail)>

Probably a typo but the 4360 version was the C-97A through C/KC-97L etc. They also had alot of B-50 commonality besides just the tail.

Ex-KC-97 Standboard Co-Pilot in the mid 50's.

[Canso42]

What's a C-74? A variant of one of the other transports mentioned here?
Canso42

[Jack Frost]

It was the preceeding version of the Douglas C-124.

[Airlift48]

Not a typo.

The YC-97's had 3350s and a B-29 tail.

The 3 YC-97A's (preceding the C-97A's ) were the 4360 and B-50 size tail.

Obviously they had more in common with the B-50's, but the easiest identifiers are the tail and engines. (although side by side, the C-97 and B-50 engine nacelles are slightly different.)

A C-74 is the Globemaster 1
The original C-74's had like bug eye canopies for the pilot and copilot, while in production it was changed to a standard cockpit configuration.


C-97 production:

1944 Model 367-1-1/-2 XC-97 3
1947 Model 367-5-5 YC-97 6
1948 Model 367-4-6 YC-97A 3
1948 Model 367-4-7 YC-97B 1 Total: 013

1949 Model 367-4-19 C-97A 50
1951 Model 367-4-29 C-97C 14
1952 Model 367-4-29 KC-97E 60
1952 Model 367-76-29 KC-97F 158
1953 Model 367-76-66 KC-97G 592 Total: 874

1947 Model 377 Stratocruiser Series 56 Total: 056
Grand Total: 943
XC-97
Prototype cargo / troop transport, pressurized,
double deck, B-29 engines / wing / tail section.
Prodcued
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

43-27470 / 43-27472 8481 / 8483 3 Total: 003

YC-97 (YC-97, YC-97A, YC-97B)
Service test models fitted out for various USAF roles.
YC-97A / B models had B-50 components fitted.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

45-59587 / 45-59596 15712 / 15721 10 Total: 010

C-97A
As YC-97A, minor changes, chin radome, more fuel.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

48-397 / 48-423 16009 / 16035
49-2589 / 49-2611 16211 / 16233 50 Total: 050

C-97C
As C-97A, strengthened floor, equipment changes.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

50-690 / 50-703 16234 / 16247 14 Total: 014

KC-97E
As C-97C, tanker version, refuelling boom, extra
fuel tanks, loading doors sealed, engine upgrade.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

51-183 / 51-242 16250 / 16309 60 Total: 060

KC-97F
As KC-97E, engine upgrade, minor changes.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

51-243 / 51-389 16310 / 16456
51-291 / 51-397 16458 / 16464
51-7256, 51-7257 16489, 16490
51-7258, 51-7259 16504, 16505 158 Total: 158
1 (51-390), additional airframe cancelled.

KC-97G
As KC-97F, tanker / transport convertible, fixed
wing mounted fuel tanks.
Produced
Boeing Seattle, Washington (BO)

51-7260 / 51-7271 16506 / 16517
52-826 / 52-938 16520 / 16632
52-2602 / 52-2806 16633 / 16837
53-106 / 53-365 16888 / 17147
53-3815, 53-3816 17148, 17149 592 Total: 592
8 additional airframes cancelled.

Model 377 Stratocruiser
Civil airliner version of the C-97, double deck cabin.
Produced 1947 - 1950
Boeing Seattle, Washington

Model 377-10-19 15922 1
Model 377-10-26 15923 / 15942 20
Model 377-10-28 15943 / 15946 4
Model 377-10-29 15957 / 15964 8
Model 377-10-30 15947 / 15956 10
Model 377-10-32 15974 / 15979 6
Model 377-10-34 15965 / 15971 7 Total: 056



Grand Total: 943


C-97 CONVERSIONS

[Airlift48]

YC-97A 45-59595 during the Berlin Airlift

[Jack Frost]

OK. Obviously you've done alot more research than I have. Thanks.