Berlin Airlift Aircraft at the NMUSAF?

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:29 pm

I'm currently reading a book called "The Candy Bombers" by Andrei Cherny. This book offers a thorough look at not only the airlift but the events of the 3 years leading up to it. As I read the book I began to wonder why the airlift isn't represented at the Natl Museum of the USAF by having a C-54 painted in the colors of the airlift planes. Afterall it was a very monumentous time for the air force, one they emerged from smelling like a rose! Any thoughts Chris, Jerry or anyone else for that matter? BTW, for those who have not read the book it would make a very nice x mas present.

Randy Haskin · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:37 pm

Maybe I'm recalling it wrong, but I thought I remembered a Candy Bomber display at NMUSAF and a C-54 there.

Mike Bates · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:45 pm

There was some sort of display like that.

Mike

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:56 pm

I know the museum has in no way neglected the airlift. They have had several airlift displays there over the years. The only C-54 I can remember seeing there is the VC-54 in the presidentail aircraft section. www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/fa ... asp?id=566

Shay · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:02 pm

They have a nice display. Also I was able to attend a presentation by Col. Gail Halvorsen (ret.) "The Candy Bomber" back in the '90s at the museum. Great presentation.

here are pictures of the museum's display

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=berlin

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:08 pm

There is a display infact several that tell about the Berlin Airlift, and the candy bomber. I wish that they had a C-54 like that as well, but the only C-54 in the collection right now is the VC-54 "Sacred Cow" That is in the Presidential Gallery.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:11 pm

Chris, has there been any talk about getting a C-54 to represent the airlift?

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:14 pm

I have never heard any, but I will fire off an e-mail to a contact of mine.

Ryan Keough · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:30 pm

There are several dozen airframes scattered around the Southwest that may never fly again, but would be great to at least preserve in this form... though the transportation costs might be tough.

Russ Matthews · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:48 pm

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.

flyingsailor · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:04 pm

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

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:07 pm

Ryan, I was thinking the same thing about the cost of shipping but on the other hand getting a C-54 to the museum would be a piece of cake compared to getting the XC-99 there.

lestweforget · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:13 pm

There was a film in the pipeline, but very unfortunately it was never made. Perhaps they could even have got Kermits Sunderland involved, as they were very active in the airlift. The two C-54's (DC-4's) are now up for sale. I hope they find a good home.

http://www.generalaviationnews.com/?p=14532#more-14532

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:17 pm

Chris, A book called "The Berlin Candy Bomber" by the most famous airlift pilot, the Candy Bomber himself Gail Halvorsen is very good and is a much smaller book. "The Candy Bombers" is 500 pages but as I said before very thorough dealing with the years and all the tension leading up to the airlift. I'm sure there are other titles out there as well.

jamesintucson · **Joined:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:42 am **Posts:** 546

TBDude wrote:

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

Yes, Pima's is a Berlin Airlift veteran.
http://www.pimaair.org/collection-detail.php?cid=81

James

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