Warbird Information Exchange

Who knows the story on the Albatross parked out in the corner at the Cancun airport. Every time I fly in there I alway check to make sure it is still there. Since I'm asking about Cancun, what is the story on the DC-3 there?

These two aircraft are:

(43-1988) Douglas C-49J N32FL
137908 Grumman HU-16C N43846

Both have been there since 2006 at least.
When did you last see them please?

Andy Marden
Author: World Military Out of Service

I've taxied past that Albatross. I thought from the markings it was Mexican Coast Guard.

There's also a working Canso in Santiago, Chile, I presume for the job of patrolling in the archipelago down south.

Dave

In the late 1970's while visiting Cancun I took the ferry boat across the narrow channel to the small island of Isla Mujeres. The north end of the island had a civilian community and the southern half of the island was a Mexican Naval facility with associated airstrip. I noted at the time that there was a sole Grumman HU-16 stationed there that displayed classical mexican naval military markings but the aircraft was apparently a former USCG aircraft. Perhaps the aircraft you spotted at Cancun airport is the same A/C.

If you pull up "Isla Mujeres" on earth.google you can verify that the airstrip is still in military hands with a Mil-17 "Hip" helicopter parked on the ramp.

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http://www.fuselagecodes.com

When I flew into Isla Mujeres in the early 1970s (in a Bellanca), I landed on the main street.

The Albatross is in US markings, not Mexican, and it still carries its US civil registration. The DC-3 appears to be unmarked. They were still at CUN the last time I was there, which was in October, 2012. These photos are from September 14, 2008:




I photographed this Albatross when it was parked on Isla Mujeres a number of years ago. Not sure whether or not it's the same one, as the markings are quite different.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida