Berlin Airlift Aircraft at the NMUSAF?

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:54 pm

Very cool info James.

Ken · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:47 pm

Okay, I'm a stick in the mud.

If it's a Berlin vet, then it'd be great to restore it as such (assuming the basic configuration still matches) but I have to admit I've become a supporter of the more recent museum(s) policies on not painting up an airplane to look like something it never was. The factory fresh look is a fine option as well.

Warbirds? The owner can paint 'em however they like - they pay the bills.

Ken

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

There are several.

Ours C-54E/R5D 44-9144 (BuNo 90414) was assigned to the airlift, but its role was transatlantic support with VR-3, flying from Westover to Germany.

The C-54M at Dover AFB Museum is an airlift veteran. It is one of a few that were specially modified for carrying coal. One of their volunteers, a Maj. Bill Voight, flew over a hundred airlift missions as Captain of said aircraft.

There are many others, the one at Tempelhof, The one at Rhein-Main.

Of the two that are for sale at North weald, only one is ex-military. The other is a pure DC-4.

As I have been involved with the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation for over 15 years, I can safely say that I have read nearly every single book, report, pamphlet, newspaper article of magazine about the airlift. Andrei Cherny's "The Candy Bombers" is THE BEST. We took Andrei on a show with us in the C-54 a few years ago while he was writing it and we had a lot of good discussion on the subject. (He was nice enough to mention it at the end of the book)

As far as the NMUSAF exhibit goes, we delivered, by C-54, the parachute that was worn by "Vittles" the dog. We carried it on display in our C-54 "Spirit of Freedom" for 3 years prior to turning it over to NMUSAF, as part of our agreement with it's owner, C. Russ Steber, himself an airlift pilot. (Russ had to jump from a C-47 over the Sovier Zone, but "Vittles" was not with him on that flight.)

Incidentally, "Vittles" was not his real name. It was Bjon von Muenthal. When LeMay heard about the dog riding in the airplanes, he liked the idea of the mascot, but when he called then Lt. Steber, he said

"Lt. Steber, is it true you are flying with a dog in your airplane....(scary silence).......without a parachute? "
He then asked what the dog's name was, and Russ told him. LeMay said something to the effect that "No, his name is Vittles" Russ replied "Yes Sir." and Vittles it was.

So, LeMay ordered the parachute be made for the dog. However, the NMUSAF is displaying it incorrectly. The harness fits on the dog, but the parachute is designed to simply clip on it and drag behind the dog. It is supposed to open like a cargo chute. They have it all tangled in the harness so it fits close on his back like it would a person. We explained it to some folks a few times, but apparently it fell on deaf ears...

Lt. Steber passed away two years ago at his home in Melbourne Florida.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

Chris,

I am also a High School teacher by trade, along with being VP of Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation.

Send me an email at airlift48@aol.com, and I will get you a list of books.

Kevin

gary1954 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:16 pm

flyingsailor wrote:

TBDude wrote:

This begs the question, "are there any Berlin Airlift veteran aircraft preserved anywhere?"

I've read "The Candy Bombers" as well and reccomend it highly. It is a vividly rendered and exhaustively researched portrait of a remarkable event and the people who made it happen.

Pat and TBDude (and anyone else for that matter)
Quick question for you, I am thinking about assigning this text for my intro to 20th Century Military history students at Texas Tech., and was wondering if you think that college students would read and comphrend the importance of the Berlin Airlift? If not, can you think of another text on the Berlin Airlift that would be good for college students.

Thanks,
Chris

I am neither Pat or TBDude, but this would be a definite read for your students, at least you'd pump some of what America is about before their develpoing minds can be corrrrrupted. Of course, this is just my opinion, thought I'd get it out on the web before the "thought Police" get after me

flyingsailor · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:02 am

gary1954 wrote:

flyingsailor wrote:

TBDude wrote:

This begs the question, "are there any Berlin Airlift veteran aircraft preserved anywhere?"

I've read "The Candy Bombers" as well and reccomend it highly. It is a vividly rendered and exhaustively researched portrait of a remarkable event and the people who made it happen.

Pat and TBDude (and anyone else for that matter)
Quick question for you, I am thinking about assigning this text for my intro to 20th Century Military history students at Texas Tech., and was wondering if you think that college students would read and comphrend the importance of the Berlin Airlift? If not, can you think of another text on the Berlin Airlift that would be good for college students.

Thanks,
Chris

I am neither Pat or TBDude, but this would be a definite read for your students, at least you'd pump some of what America is about before their develpoing minds can be corrrrrupted. Of course, this is just my opinion, thought I'd get it out on the web before the "thought Police" get after me

Gary
Thanks for some it is already toooo late their minds are corrupt and they look at me weird when I ask them what they think about a subject. At least in Texas they are taught to answer very particular things on standardized tests, not how to think for themselves.

I enjoyed truly enjoyed reading Cherny's book however I am concerned that it is rather bulky for for undergraduate students. I want students to read it, but not sure how many will get through it.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

Chris

bilwor · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:01 am

I believe the PASM C-54 was also modified for carrying coal
bill word

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

First Ive heard that, Bill.

Pima's bird 42-72488 was a D model. Only a few E models were converted to C-54M's 38 I believe.

They were stripped of all unnecessary equipment and the floors were strengthened.

Dover's bird is the only known surviving C-54M.

Chris,

Here's a partial list. As I said in my email to you, I have a ton of books at home, and Im at work now. I'll try to get you a more comprehensive list tonight.

To Save A City by Roger Miller
Berlin Candy Bomber – Gail S. Halvorsen
Over the Hump – General William Tunner
Decision in Germany – Lucius D. Clay
MAC and the Berlin Airlift" by Roger D. Launius and Coy F. Cross III Military Airlift Command, 1998
Berlin Airlift - Arthur Pearcy (British perspective)
Berlin Airlift – John and Ann Tusa
The Unheralded – Ed Gere
A Special Study of Operation Vittles - http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/a ... les-berlin (Good for ststistics)

Will post rest of list later.

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:59 pm

There are several exhibits at the NMUSAF on the Berlin Airlift. One of my favorites is Vittles:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... 087&page=1

Vittles is buried on Biggs AAF.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

See what I mean. That is supposed to be dragging behind him. Not strapped to his back. His owner, Lt. Steber, said the dog wore the harness at all times. The chute was then clipped on and if he had to jumop he'd clip the ripcord to his own harness and jump out with the dog and let go.

It definitely is not supposed to be twisted under his harness like they have it displayed.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:24 pm

Great stuff Kevin!!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:31 pm

Hey Kevin, I'd like to help fix it but I won't claim to know what I'm doing. What parts are wrong? In that onset pic it looks like he is wearing it on his back.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

Hard to explain. Russ told us it was supposed to drag behind a bit.

We had a copy made before we handed that one over to the NMUSAF, (Thanks to Dan Janquitto of Beachwood Canvas)

Since the -54 made it home for winter maintenance today, I'll take a photo of how it should be displayed on our porcelain boxer dog on display in the "Spirit" (Thanks to Russ Steber)

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 746

Chris, here's the problem

It shouldnt be tucked under the harness from the front, rather just clipped on straight, without being tucked. Imagine how that would stress the harness if he actually need to use that, or how complicated that would be for Russ to attach that in an emergency. It's just clipped on straight, no tucking, folding or anything fancy.

It will still be on his back, just a bit farther down.

I hope you can convice them to fix it. We explained it to Terry Aitken, Gen. Metcalf and the guys who were handling it when it was being prepped for display. Unfortunately, it still went on display like that. Not that it lessens the message for the average museumgoer, so no harm done....but.....it's not right.

Parachute notwithstanding, the exhibit is fantastic! It's given me many ideas for the exhibit in the "Spirit". I was supposed to get a copy of the film they are showing in it. Was promised a few times, but still have no film. Any chance you could procure a copy of that for us?

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