C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" Photos/Videos

[Vzlet]

For anyone interested, the below set of photos documents the activities leading up to (and including) the BAHF C-97's most recent takeoff. This was at Hagerstown, departing to Reading on the flight during which the #2 engine failed. The shots hopefully give some idea of the tremendous amount of effort required to maintain and operate a beast like this.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/vzlet/40Y1j7

[airnutz]

Nice!! Thanks Vzlet! Fresh paint and runups!

[Airlift48]

These are fantastic! May we use them?

Kevin

[Vzlet]

Sure, Kevin. I wouldn't have them were it not for Tim's generosity! If you need higher-resolution versions of any, let me know.
There are some of the C-54 at https://www.flickr.com/gp/vzlet/72ND8f

[dbrown]

I would LOVE To see that fly at an airshow.

[Airlift48]

The "Angel" is still sitting at Reading, PA with a dead #2 engine. We are still fundraising to purchase a small cache of spare parts (Including engines) To help out, go to http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/c97engine.html for information.

Thanks!

[Warbird Kid]

With the recent news about the former Fairchild plant being re-utilized, is there a chance we could see the Berlin Airlift Group AND the Hagerstown Aviation Museum move in over there so both collections could not only be under cover in there own respective hangars, but accessible to the general public too?!

[lucky52]

Were all the 4360s off off the B-36s and C-97s and whatever else scrapped? I guess all the new spares were used up a long time ago.

[chasd25]

Pacific coast air museum has one off in the corner on a stand, I have no idea on its condition.

The Penngrove Power and Implement Museum has one they fire up every year at their "Power up" event. Their website is down, but they have a Facebook page.

[WIXerGreg]

Were the Rantoul C-97 engines scrapped?

[Chris Brame]

Pretty sure they were; the Air Force only took the engines from the HU-16 and C-47. Last view of the C-97's engines here, dumped on the apron, courtesy WIXer kalamazookid:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884 ... 0900831681

[old iron]

What is the delta-wing "cruise missile" next to the C-119? Something experimental?

[sandiego89]

Wow, what a great album, thank you for sharing.

I wonder if any of the 4360's on the abandoned KC-97's at Greybull are worth pursuing? Understand they would still require expensive refurbishment.

[Chris Brame]

What is the delta-wing "cruise missile" next to the C-119? Something experimental?

Fairchild XSM-73 Bull Goose decoy cruise missile; one of four survivors - didn't perform as well as expected, but looks cool anyway:

https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit ... ull-goose/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XSM-73_Goose

[Vzlet]

I like how this illustrates aviation progress -- Fairchild state-of-the-art, from late 1930s canvas to mid-1950s composites:

Fairchild XSM-73 Bull Goose