Berlin Airlift Aircraft at the NMUSAF?

[Pat Carry]

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.

Last edited by Pat Carry on Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Randy Haskin]

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

[Mike Bates]

There was some sort of display like that.

Mike

[Pat Carry]

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]

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]

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]

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

[mustangdriver]

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

[Ryan Keough]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

Last edited by Pat Carry on Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[jamesintucson]

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