C-54 “Spirit of Freedom” updates Nov. 2020 newsletter is up

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Hello WIXers

As you know, a tornado severely damaged our C-54 in April.
We’ve spent months since the tornado weighing our options on repair or replace. We called on the big guns who repair this kind of damage to look it over. (An I-beam was driven clean through the wing, all 3 spars, and the firewall of #1.) The impact damage which destroyed all the bell cranks for the aileron system, the fluid lines, wiring, other hidden metal damage and structural damage we did not see at first has left us with only one choice.

Sadly, the C-54 you all know as “Spirit of Freedom” will be replaced with a “new” C-54 due to the tornado damage it suffered in April. The damage was so severe, it would take several years and it would probably bankrupt us to go ahead with repairs. At least she will live on as spares

We signed a purchase agreement for C-54D N9015Q to replace the current N500EJ.

We will need lots of support to pull this off by Spring, so do what you can! Please Share!

Newsletter: http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/BAHFNEWS2020.pdf

GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/f/c54-spirit-of ... o-recovery

florida.warbirds · **Joined:** Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:25 am **Posts:** 158

This is the latest picture I have of this aircraft. It is at American Aero Services where it has been sitting since the nose gear collapse on landing.

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Wed Aug 26, 2020 9:49 am

I am left a bit speechless. I have so many memories of that airplane at Reading, with Tim, and Helga and Sven. It was the only aircraft I ever donated money to (via your donation box). Despite my jaw drop at this, I completely understand the decision for a new aircraft, and I hope that its acquisition goes well.

Vzlet · **Joined:** Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:50 am **Posts:** 31

I continue to be amazed at the dedication of the BAHF team members, as well as the results they produce! Hopefully this can indeed be a "lemons-to-lemonade" example, but it's a shame to see the original "Spirit of Freedom" done in by such an odd quirk of fate. I was lucky enough to fly on her once, from Hagerstown to Dulles and there are pictures and videos from that experience in this Flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/gp/vzlet/R2j6b5

Always glamorous!

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Tue Sep 01, 2020 9:12 am

Bump.

Made a small donation yesterday. I encourage others to do the same. An organization worthy of support for those who are able to do so.

I'll miss seeing "Spirit of Freedom" but I'm glad to hear that the BAHF mission can continue with a new aircraft.

Pat Carry · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2020 7:41 am

What address can I send a check to?

exhaustgases · **Joined:** Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:26 pm **Posts:** 239

http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/contact.html

Berlin Airlift

Historical Foundation

P.O. Box 782

Farmingdale, NJ 07727

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Well, things have been progressing along with the C-54. While the former C-54 N500EJ is being slowly dismantled for its parts, the 'new' C-54D (9015Q) at New Smyrna Beach is up and running, and taxi tests have been done. While there are still a number of things that need to be done in order to be airworthy, we've made significant progress.

One thing we do need, though, is a replacement Garmin GNS430. The one in the airplane is no good, and we arent in a position to redo all the avionics at this time. If anyone has upgraded and has a decent 430 (28V non-WAAS) they'd like to unload, please email me at airlift48@aol.com

Everyone wants to know what are we going to do with the old C-54. We don't know yet. Yes, scrapping is an option. We have a few interested parties who want to display the fuselage or the whole airplane, but these things take money. I hope one of those options is the route we go, but it's too early to tell.

Anyway, our GoFundMe is still active, and if you want to help us get 'back into shape' for whatever the 2021 season is, please contribute if you can. We're at just around half of our fundraising goal at this point. Remember all contributions are tax-deductible.

Thanks!

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/c54-spirit-of-freedom-road-to-recovery

mike furline · **Joined:** Wed May 05, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 2635

https://www.aviationphotocompany.com/p9 ... #h80c00a5f

https://www.flickr.com/photos/34076827@N00/4901357539/

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

Yep. that is our damaged bird, the former R5D 90414 when it was with the Marines. I have a pretty comprehensive set of photos over the life of this airplane. While we are presson on, we are still devastated at the loss of our pride and joy.

http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/c54.html

martin_sam_2000 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:05 am **Posts:** 397

Airlift48 wrote:

One thing we do need, though, is a replacement Garmin GNS430. The one in the airplane is no good, and we arent in a position to redo all the avionics at this time. If anyone has upgraded and has a decent 430 (28V non-WAAS) they'd like to unload, please email me at airlift48@aol.com

Might have a lead for you. My wife works for a Garmin dealer and they are looking to see if they have one laying around. I will e-mail when I hear back...

Sean

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

That would be fantastic.

When you find out, shoot me an email at airlift48@aol.com

K5DH · **Posted:** Thu Dec 03, 2020 5:24 pm

In the color photo that Mike posted, is that a cargo pannier under the fuselage, or a firefighting tank?

Also, lovin' that Carvair in the background!

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

It was a firebomber with ARDCO. Slurry tank, long gone.

Airlift48 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 744

We are still in need of a replacement Garmin 430 28V non-Waas if anyone's cleaning out their hangar..

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C-54 “Spirit of Freedom” updates Nov. 2020 newsletter is up

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