Sad News China Doll Out of Service

[Dan Newcomb]

The plane is and always has been outside on the ramp. It is a very big bird. We had it in the hangar for ten months for the repair work last year and it really was a problem. The wingspan is 103 feet! The hangar doors spread 104 feet. It was hell getting it in and out. I’m afraid interest in this plane is virtually non-existent. The fighters and the bombers get all the bucks. Another problem is finding enough manpower to keep up with maintenance. Folks I really wish I had answers! I can only hope that somewhere out there we can find enough people to make a difference. I have to admit though as much as I care about this it really doesn’t compare to some other issues we are all facing these days. I have friends in Afghanistan and friends out of work and friends with health issues. If we loose China Doll it will be a hard pill to swallow but in reality, nobody dies.

Dan

[Chris]

So with this in mind Dan, will HQ require you to turn her in for possible reassignment. They will still require the annnuac fees and insurance so even that is pretty steep. That sucks big time!!!!!

[bluehawk15]

I'm not sure about ANNUAC fees, but I know the insurance on a non-flying aircraft (like one in restoration or maintenance) is much, much less than if it is flying.

I'd say there is a possibility that CAF HQ could require the C-46 to be returned for reassignment...[b]IF[b] there was someone who wanted it and were planning to fly it, and could show they had pockets deep enough to support it. Given the lack of interest in Tinker Belle, I doubt that anyone would be jumping up and down to try to get the Doll assigned to them. However, come fall of 2011, if she's not in a hangar, HQ might call for her to be returned to Midland.

[gary1954]

I'm not sure about ANNUAC fees, but I know the insurance on a non-flying aircraft (like one in restoration or maintenance) is much, much less than if it is flying.

That's just it... hardly anyone aside from the folks here give a rat's ass about a C-46 or it's contributions to the war effort.

I'd say there is a possibility that CAF HQ could require the C-46 to be returned for reassignment...[b]IF[b] there was someone who wanted it and were planning to fly it, and could show they had pockets deep enough to support it. Given the lack of interest in Tinker Belle, I doubt that anyone would be jumping up and down to try to get the Doll assigned to them. However, come fall of 2011, if she's not in a hangar, HQ might call for her to be returned to Midland.

Has anyone in the "marketing" section of HQ of the CAF though about trying to find a WWII squadron that flew the C-46, and see if they would be interested in sponsoring the ship. I imagine given the opportunity, they might be receptive, and be interested in having the chance to ride the old bird and chat with folks at airshows and fly-ins etc. just my thoughts.

[Lynn Allen]

I would think they'll put the bird in the hangar during the winter like they do now. But when it's nice outside, I don't see why it can't spend time drawing crowds, that's been the staple of the DFW wing for years as well in that they've always kept the R4D outside during the flying season unless really bad weather or maintenance required otherwise.

And now they have the Mi-26 outside??

Lynn

[bluehawk15]

The problem is most WWII vets who flew or flew on the C-46 have either passed on, or are on very limited fixed incomes. Most being in their upper 80's or low 90's now.

[tom d. friedman]

the doll's last civilian roots are 5 minutes from my house. she was an ortner air service freighter prior to being sold after the demise of andy ortner in 1973. there are still some surviving c-46 parts / cockpit guts here under private ownership. i wrote a 2 part article on the ortner air service in 2002 for air classics magazine. those brothers were amazing, & beyond legend here with warbirders in northern ohio. while doing interviews for the article i was told a story of 1 of their c-46's doing a low level buzz job at the wakeman airport that had to be seen to be believed. it's no b.s., it has been told by numerous employees with all the same details.

[CAPFlyer]

I would think they'll put the bird in the hangar during the winter like they do now. But when it's nice outside, I don't see why it can't spend time drawing crowds, that's been the staple of the DFW wing for years as well in that they've always kept the R4D outside during the flying season unless really bad weather or maintenance required otherwise.

And now they have the Mi-26 outside??

Lynn

I don't know if the Mi-24 is outside yet or not, but when the work is complete it will be. HOWEVER, (if I remember correctly) this aircraft was donated to the wing, not the CAF, so it would not be subject to this rule. In addition, even if it was an HQ asset, it is a static only aircraft (structural damage means it'll never fly again), will be sealed up properly, and I believe will be bolted to its concrete pad when repositioned there.

All-in-all, it's 2 different situations. One is an airworthy aircraft (C-46 & R4D), and the other is a static "Gate Guard".

[marine air]

couple of issues ago there was a C-46 listed in "Trade a Plane". It was gorgeous. Polished metal, new paint and interior, new engines and everything. It was listed for sale in Chattanooga , Tn. but the photos had it with a Mexican registration. Has to be the nicest C-46 on the planet!

[DC3R4DC47]

back in '98 when i was getting a CV340 type with Renown(late but I dont know how lamented) out of Magu,i spent the better part of an hour one golden California afternoon watching China Doll going through her paces near Camarillo,a lovely ship. Slightly further back in time in '96 I was blessed and priviledged to share the same airspace with Tinker Belle during the CAF show at Frederick,Md.,we were flying the YAF C47,and peddling mighty hard to keep on station with that big old girl. I hope the Doll flies again.

[B29B24crewchief]

It's my hope that some day "China Doll" fly's with the B-29. My wish is that this airplane that supported the B-29's in China during WWII, gets her recognition and can tour respectively with the B-29!! The question is, can any venue out there support it??

Dave

[bdk]

Maybe raise funds for a tribute to "fly the hump" one more time? Might make a good documentary- certainly better than a bunch of guys cutting down trees!

[JDK]

That's sad news, but at least reversible if situation and options change.

How does the C-46 compare to the C-47 compare for running costs? (More, I know, but any knowledgeable input, including getting parts, bookings etc to go with Dan's earlier data would be appreciated.

TIA

[JohnH]

I've been regularly attending airshows since the early 80's. It's a sad reflection (and this I'm sure has nothing to do with the So Cal Wing) that the amount of airshows that I've seen this in the air at I can count on one or two fingers. The Doll was at the majority of these shows, but it always was a static display. It was probably because it's not a Mustang, B-17 or a B-25. It would have been cool if the organizers of these shows would have picked up the gas tab more than that. She's almost like a Southern California family heirloom so I am sad to see this grounding.

[APG85]

couple of issues ago there was a C-46 listed in "Trade a Plane". It was gorgeous. Polished metal, new paint and interior, new engines and everything. It was listed for sale in Chattanooga , Tn. but the photos had it with a Mexican registration. Has to be the nicest C-46 on the planet!

Any pictures?