C.R. Smith a nice museum

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2010 8:13 pm

Steve,

Does the DC-3 still smell like bug killer? The last time I was aboard ten years ago you could still tell it'd been a sprayer. It really stank during the restoration.

Scott

steve dickey · **Posted:** Fri Dec 24, 2010 10:50 pm

I guess it kinda had a blended smell inside, fuel, oil, old airplane and pesticide :lol:

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sat Dec 25, 2010 2:25 am

Nice to see an actual DC-3 airliner (as opposed to a passenger retrofitted C-47.) Of course, all Gooneys are cool in their own Gooney way.

SN

Pogo · **Posted:** Sat Dec 25, 2010 7:04 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

Nice to see an actual DC-3 airliner (as opposed to a passenger retrofitted C-47.)

How does one tell the difference? Makes me wonder what the history of the LSFM example is?

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 2:30 am

Quote:

How does one tell the difference?

Well, admittedly I didn't look up this particular airframe's provenance, but the landing gear is definitely DC-3, rather than C-47. The upper part of the DC-3 gear strut is made up of several sections of welded tube, and the trailing yoke is a bit more spindly. When the design was revamped for military use, the gear was redesigned to be a bit beefier. Also, this aircraft has the right-side passenger door and left side baggage compartment (an option chosen by several airlines.) I believe most C-47s that were converted for passenger use had the door on the left side, in place of the original cargo door.

I'm no expert, but I believe the C-53 was a dedicated military passenger version, but also had a left-side door.

SN

JBoyle · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 5:27 am

I enjoyed my visit there, gee it must be back in 2003. I bought another AA DC-3 diecast from the gift shop, I must a dozen of various scales in my den...all AA.

I defy anyone to go in the DC-3 and NOT think of Ernie Gann.
I've flown in a C-47 converted to airline specs, but it would have been neat to fly in a "Flagship" bacck in the day.

Did you notice the memorial bricks dedicated to the AA 9-11 flightcrews?
It made me sad and really pissed me off.

Pogo · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 9:59 am

Thank you Steve. Every once in a while some friend or relative remarks on how much I know about these old airplanes. I tell them no, I don't really, that they haven't run across a *real* enthusiast yet. Same is true with the Civil War, and, I suppose, quite a few other subjects as well..... :rolleyes:

Anyway, thanks yet again to WIX for helping bring me up to speed on the finer points of aviation matters!

Also loved the Ernie Gann comment. I never fail to think of him when around my local bird, the beautiful and spectacular LSFM DC-3 in Continental livery. I like looking at the gear and flap handles, and recalling one of my favorite lines in all literature: "If you ever do that again, I'm writing you out of my will...."

Craig59 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:12 am

Steve Nelson wrote:

Quote:

How does one tell the difference?

Well, admittedly I didn't look up this particular airframe's provenance...
...most C-47s that were converted for passenger use had the door on the left side, in place of the original cargo door.
SN

That's the original AA Flagship Knoxville - restored and placed at the museum some fifteen years or more ago, IIRC.
I believe AA was the only customer to order their DC-3's with the passenger door on the right side.

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 11:39 am

Craig59 wrote:

Steve Nelson wrote:

Quote:

How does one tell the difference?

Well, admittedly I didn't look up this particular airframe's provenance...
...most C-47s that were converted for passenger use had the door on the left side, in place of the original cargo door.
SN

That's the original AA Flagship Knoxville - restored and placed at the museum some fifteen years or more ago, IIRC.
I believe AA was the only customer to order their DC-3's with the passenger door on the right side.

TWA and United both had DC-3s with RH doors, but at least with the TWA one I believe those were originally AA orders. Eastern had DC-3s, or DSTs with RH doors, but I can not remember which version.

Pogo wrote:

Steve Nelson wrote:

Nice to see an actual DC-3 airliner (as opposed to a passenger retrofitted C-47.)

How does one tell the difference? Makes me wonder what the history of the LSFM example is?

The LSFM,s bird was built for AA. TTA later changed the R-1820s out for R-1830s.

Pogo · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 11:53 am

Thanks, Clifford -- I just found a post on the subject not two minutes before you posted, though yours still adds to it. Still, it brings up another question: What's the status here, I wonder?

DC-3 Flagship Tulsa Restoration viewtopic.php?f=16&t=21343&start=15

steve dickey · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 2:24 pm

They showed a small film about American, in it there was a DC-6 in A.A. scheme.
Does anyone know what or where that one is :?:

Thanks.

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 3:06 pm

This one?

steve dickey · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 3:35 pm

Clifford, I can only assume :?:

I never thought that the one in Santa Teresa would be it.
I don't recall or probably couldn't see the N# during the film but somebody knows :!:

Is it

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 3:50 pm

steve dickey wrote:

Clifford, I can only assume :?:

I never thought that the one in Santa Teresa would be it.
I don't recall or probably couldn't see the N# during the film but somebody knows :!:

Is it

Not sure if that is the one from the film Steve, but I do know that one at 5T6 was painted for some promotional purpose. Unfortunately it is no longer with us. The engines, nacelles and props went to Alaska and the rest went to the smelter.

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C.R. Smith a nice museum

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