Warbird Information Exchange

Us KC-97 people referred to the C124 as the "Crowd Killer" after a tragic accident hauling troops from R&R between Korea and Japan. We also called it the box the 97 came in! I rode the back of one from the UK to Lincoln NE in 1956 along with 35 mechanics, tool boixes and two KC-97 Quick Change engines. Long, slow, shakey ride. We burned up every time the cabin heat iris opened and froze after it closed. Stopped at the Azores for crew rest and a spent a couple of days at Goose Bay until our Squadron had all passed through on the way to Lincoln. Took off the next morning at max gross and #2 engine dumped all its oil at about 200'. Groaned and roared back to Goose and 8 hours later they had the replacement engine hung and ready for flight. The quickness suprised even the MATS crew and really impressed us. That ground crew at Goose must have changed alot of engines!

A later acquaintance who flew the 124 in MATS told the story of hauling 3 disassembled F-86s to Sidi Slimane(Sp?) Africa. When they called the tower they said they were a flight of 4. Tower called back after a short time saying they only had one C-124 in sight. The 124's reply was "The other aircraft are inside!"

The KC-97 could go nonstop fron the UK to Goose Bay. The 124 had to stop at the Azores for fuel and crew rest. The 124 could haul the out-sized cargo but if it would fit into a C-97, it would get there alot quicker.

Us KC-97 people referred to the C124 as the "Crowd Killer" after a tragic accident hauling troops from R&R between Korea and Japan. We also called it the box the 97 came in! I rode the back of one from the UK to Lincoln NE in 1956 along with 35 mechanics, tool boixes and two KC-97 Quick Change engines. Long, slow, shakey ride. We burned up every time the cabin heat iris opened and froze after it closed. Stopped at the Azores for crew rest and a spent a couple of days at Goose Bay until our Squadron had all passed through on the way to Lincoln. Took off the next morning at max gross and #2 engine dumped all its oil at about 200'. Groaned and roared back to Goose and 8 hours later they had the replacement engine hung and ready for flight. The quickness suprised even the MATS crew and really impressed us. That ground crew at Goose must have changed alot of engines!

A later acquaintance who flew the 124 in MATS told the story of hauling 3 disassembled F-86s to Sidi Slimane(Sp?) Africa. When they called the tower they said they were a flight of 4. Tower called back after a short time saying they only had one C-124 in sight. The 124's reply was "The other aircraft are inside!"

The KC-97 could go nonstop fron the UK to Goose Bay. The 124 had to stop at the Azores for fuel and crew rest. The 124 could haul the out-sized cargo but if it would fit into a C-97, it would get there alot quicker.

Bump.

Scott, would it be possible to add links to this under the Warbird Registry drop down? I am not seeing an easy way to navigate to it without searching for this thread...

I think the registry is the coolest thing but I have some questions.

Is the registry just for surviving warbirds? I noted there are records of aircraft that once was but include aircraft that have crashed or have been scrapped. Some of the warbird types operated up to the 70's and 80's but were scrapped. Can those be included as well? Examples: such as the C-97's, C-124's, and other cargo types that operated in service in the 70's and 80's during the warbird movement. Since they were around during the warbird movement start up can they be included as well?

Just curious. I'd love to help out with the registry.