Strato cruiser - C97 ?

I'm really looking forward to seeing the C-97 back in the air. I grew up 3.4 miles off the end of Rwy 27 at New Castle County Airport, which is home to the Delaware Air National Guard. In the late 1960s, DANG was still flying C-97s (they converted to C-130 in the early 1970s and they still fly them today). Those heavily-loaded Strats would come thundering over the house, a few hundred feet up, struggling for altitude, with the roar of their engines shaking the entire house. My folks griped about the noise, but to an airplane geeek like me, it was absolutely magical!

I remember the Delaware ANG C-97G Stratofreighters. The Air National Guard flew C-97's up until about 1970/71 or so. It was interesting that many former SAC KC-97's had their refueling equipment removed in the early to mid 60's and then served as strictly transport C-97's with the ANG, and then in the late 60'/early 70's some of these same Stratofreighters had the refueling equipment reinstalled and jet engines from former KB-50J's added to serve as tankers once more with the Air National Guard serving into 1978.

[Airlift48]

Jim, those questions have no answers yet.

Where will it go? Floyd Bennett? MJX? We have other options as well.. time will tell..

[exhaustgases]

Whats the status on C97 flying?

[daviemax]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the C-97 back in the air. I grew up 3.4 miles off the end of Rwy 27 at New Castle County Airport, which is home to the Delaware Air National Guard. In the late 1960s, DANG was still flying C-97s (they converted to C-130 in the early 1970s and they still fly them today). Those heavily-loaded Strats would come thundering over the house, a few hundred feet up, struggling for altitude, with the roar of their engines shaking the entire house. My folks griped about the noise, but to an airplane geeek like me, it was absolutely magical!

I remember the Delaware ANG C-97G Stratofreighters. The Air National Guard flew C-97's up until about 1970/71 or so. It was interesting that many former SAC KC-97's had their refueling equipment removed in the early to mid 60's and then served as strictly transport C-97's with the ANG, and then in the late 60'/early 70's some of these same Stratofreighters had the refueling equipment reinstalled and jet engines from former KB-50J's added to serve as tankers once more with the Air National Guard serving into 1978.

The KC-97's with B-50 jet pods were designated as -L's. I saw the last one in Utah Air Guard service leave KSLC for the boneyard in 1979. The jets screamed so loud on take-off you couldn't hear the radials at all, which was very disappointing.

[wendovertom]

Daviemax - I remember that departure - My father had some friends in the ANG and I got to climb throught a KC-97 before they left. I do not remember the noise but I remember what seemed like the unimaginable size of the KC-97.

Tom P.

[b29driver]

I believe your off by 2 years in your statement. We flew the very LAST KC-97L to DM in 1978 from NAS Dallas. BGen. James C. Smith, Wing Commander 136ARW, was the pilot as I recall.

-fHE HERALD. Prove. Utah, Wednesday, December 21. 1977 Utah Guard Retires Aging Airplanes BOEING KC-97 of the Utah Air National Guard upon completions of it's last flight sits on the ramp awaiting crews from the "boneyard" to prepare it for storage

You are correct about the jets drowning out the recips. It was always strange to here this loud crackling jet noise and then look up and see this big straight wing giant lumbering along. The reverse of the scenes in "Airplane" with the 707 sounding like a prop plane.

[Nathan]

I thought this was a new update but the original discussion happened last year. I guess the June deadline wasn't met.

[4RG.I.'S]

What an awesome undertaking, hats off to your dedication. Growing up in Milwaukee I always loved seeing the KC-97's from the 128th WI ANG go in and out of Mitchell field. My lifelong love for airplanes started there when as a kid my parents (dad was in the USAF in the 50's), took us to the annual airshow at Mitchell. I played pilot in so many airplanes... Heaven.
To read this post now and go to their website I am surprisingly shocked to see the Angel was stationed at MY airport. Though I was only 2 when she got there, if she stayed until '72 (per the website history) I definitely enjoyed her flying over more than once. There may even be a pic or two of her from one of the shows, got a lot of slides to go through.
Wow, that is cool! Off to support that project!

[daviemax]

I believe your off by 2 years in your statement. We flew the very LAST KC-97L to DM in 1978 from NAS Dallas. BGen. James C. Smith, Wing Commander 136ARW, was the pilot as I recall.

-fHE HERALD. Prove. Utah, Wednesday, December 21. 1977 Utah Guard Retires Aging Airplanes BOEING KC-97 of the Utah Air National Guard upon completions of it's last flight sits on the ramp awaiting crews from the "boneyard" to prepare it for storage

You are correct about the jets drowning out the recips. It was always strange to here this loud crackling jet noise and then look up and see this big straight wing giant lumbering along. The reverse of the scenes in "Airplane" with the 707 sounding like a prop plane.

With all due respect I am certain it was 1978 (not '79 as I mentioned above as I had miscalculated - apologies), this is because I didn't transfer to Salt Lake until late August, 1977 and it was the next Spring that I saw several aircraft leave (one at a time). The KC-97's may have been "retired" as of the 21 December '77 but for whatever reason they didn't depart until early- to mid-1978.

[Airlift48]

No, we're not done yet.

We are, however replacing spark plugs and preoiling the engines. Startup isn't too far off. Getting closer every day.

Remember folks, we are a SMALL group of people, and we currently are operating our C-54 on the circuit. Finding time to make the 97 happen is always a challenge. Many folks out there in cyber world dont realize that. It takes as much if not more energy and resources to maintain a C-54 as it does a B-17. We dont have a large benefactor with deep pockets. We all have regular jobs and lives. We are in a hangar with more holes in it than Clyde Barrow's car, and we're damned lucky to be there. However, we ARE making progress. That's all I can say. If you want it done faster, come out and help. If you cant do that, send us a check. Otherwise, be patient. It'll happen.

FYI Our airplane, 52-2718, was one of the last retired from UTAH ANG in 1977. AND it was also with the 128th in Milwaukee.

[jtramo]

Small group but big results. Good job Kevin and gang. What a fleet that will be!

[Chris Brame]

Looks like stratocruiser.org was updated back in April, somewhat:

As you see, we are still working on the project, although it is unfortunately too early to share the latest developments with you. Therefore I can only beg for your understanding and continued patience. Stay tuned!

Wolfgang Borgmann
The Strato Clipper Team

[Airlift48]

Update: all 4 propellers are now hanging on the C-97. PREOILING has begun as well.

[Dan K]

FYI Our airplane, 52-2718, was one of the last retired from UTAH ANG in 1977. AND it was also with the 128th in Milwaukee.

Kevin, any idea if EAA founder (and now aviation legend) Paul Poberezny has any flight time in your aircraft?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=51071&hilit=Paul+Dowd

I'm not exactly sure how you'd go about determining it, but perhaps a Poberezny connection to 52-2718 might open some advertising/fundraising opportunities for the BAHF that have yet to be explored.