DC-3 / C-47 / R4D over Cleveland?

[skydaddy61]

I live near the Lake Erie shore in Lake County, OH, east of Cleveland. There's been a red and white DC-3 flying back and forth over the area at low altitude (about 1000'), on the same SW-NE line, for much of the afternoon. It overflew my house about a half-dozen times. At first I thought it might be ducking into Lost Nation airport (KLNN) because of the MVFR weather, but it looks like it's working.

White with a red rudder and nose section, sort of a Coast Guard look. It has a bright green flashing light underneath (NOT a normal aviation light), and what might be a dark bump on the tip of the nose. Camera dome? Preliminary search on Google doesn't turn up anything that looks like it, except possibly a bird in Alaska ANG markings. What that would be doing here, I haven't a clue.

Some sort of survey? Google Maps?

[SaxMan]

You mean this one?:

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=47391

[cooper9411]

I would say yes thats the one. Seen it around the western end of Lake Erie about a week ago.

[skydaddy61]

Yup, that's the bird. Very cool that it's the first satcom-equipped airplane.

I knew I could count on you guys to find the answer!

[ZRoesch1]

It's flying out of the Erie-Ottawa airport in Port Clinton, OH.

[omega7]

Saw it today on the FBO ramp at ERI (Erie “International” Airport) sans the infrared nose ball. See DC-3 with FILR at: http://airborneimaging.net/video.htm - Adrian

[wlrflyer]

The DC3 has flown by my office window in Erie PA twice this morning in spite of the rain and 2600 foot ceiling.

Love the sound of those radial engines!