French Enthusiasts Battle to Save Douglas C-47

RickH · **Posted:** Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:27 am

Their was a DC-3/C-47 that was shot up on the ground in China. The Japanese were advancing so the bullet holes were patched with pieces of silk, I believe, and were glued on with some sort of water based paste. The aircraft was hastily loaded with refugees and took off. They flew through some rain and the patches started to peel off. The holes set up a shrieking noise and, so the story goes, a Japanese fighter approached and the pilot heard the shrieking, peeled off and took off. They landed safely and the aircraft was repaired.

A lot of the holes in this one are probably in noncritical areas. But it looks like the rest of her could use some work !

Iclo · **Posted:** Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:38 pm

Just an update of the progress (short translation of the news found on the website of the operation)

The disassembly of the plane is finished.
On Monday, they will load the trucks and the customs formalities are planned to tuesday morning. All the contacts with the authorities were fine, so there is no risk of problems with that. (The airplane is a gift form the governement)

Sorry for my bad english, so I don't translate all the news, but if you have any questions, I can translate more, and ask questions to people in relation with the operation.

Regards

Iclo

Ryan Keough · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:50 pm

In today's news...

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/International/detail/War_plane_s_last_journey_hits_snag.html?siteSect=143&sid=8478937&cKey=1196352469000&ty=ti

Looks like there was a snag in Croatia... let's hope it can be worked out.

muddyboots · **Posted:** Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:20 pm

darn Croats. You can't trust them. Unless they're cooking you a fantastic dinner in Trogere. Or Dancing with you in a nightclub. Or maybe walking on an Adriatic beach holding your hand. THEN you can trust em.

Iclo · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:53 pm

Today, the last truck come to Normandy.
The airplane is on the Caen-Carpiquet airport, very close to the D-Day beach and the Merville Battery Museum where it will be displayed after restoration.

Congratulation to all the members of the crew.

Next step: the restoration.

Regards

Iclo

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:23 pm

That is so great to hear!

How was the plane able to complete its trip?

-David

Django · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:13 am

Great news! Congrats to the team.

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

Here are some more articles in English:
http://www.ruudleeuw.com/tmp-photos-11.htm
And the official page:
http://www.batterie-merville.com/dakota_snafu_uk.asp

patelie · **Posted:** Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:44 am

Hello

Saturday 12 January was the first week-end where the volunteers went to Carpiquet airport to work on the Snafu Special.
We were around 30 persons all the day around the plane and we hope that it will be the same all the time during the restoration.

You can see photographs of the repatriation in France and the first days of the restoration at this address http://www.6juin1944.com/snafu/index.php
photographs will be added after each week-end of restoration until the dedication of the plane on June 7, 2008

Octo68 · **Joined:** Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:49 pm **Posts:** 22

Un grand bravo à vous et bonne chance pour la suite de la restauration.

Congratulations, there is a lot of job awaiting... my best for the future.

Alain

patelie · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 2:49 am

Hello All

Since yesterday, the SNAFU Special, is again with her wings....
We are in the last days before the dedication scheduled on 7 June !

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 3:10 am

patelie wrote:

Hello All

Since yesterday, the SNAFU Special, is again with her wings....
We are in the last days before the dedication scheduled on 7 June !

Looks very nice so far- One question- I assume you are dedicating on June 7 as it is a Saturday, rather than on June 6, the 64th anniversary of D-Day, which is a Friday?

Robbie

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 3:11 am

You guys should really be proud of a job well done.

patelie · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 3:47 am

Robbie

As you know the Merville Battery is on the British side of the invasion and the battery was taken by the men of the 9th Para Battalion / 6th Airborne Division.
On 5 and 6 June there are already ceremonies at the battery and it's why the next day was choosen for the dedication of the SNAFU.

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Wed May 21, 2008 5:56 am

Well, enjoy it! I'm glad to hear of all the work you've done towards this end: I wish you the best no matter what day you dedicate that fine gal- You deserve it!

Robbie

Warbird Information Exchange

French Enthusiasts Battle to Save Douglas C-47

Who is online