CAF C-47 "Buzz Buggy"

[T J Johansen]

Back in my youth I got hold of a Monogram C-47 kit which had the decals (including CAF titles) of "Buzz Buggy", the C-47 that the CAF flew in the 1970s. I seem to remember some words to the effect that the plane suffered from corrosion and became non-airworthy as time went on. I just loved the colors of this plane, and wonder what happened to it. Scrapped, parted out, stored, what???

T J

[Eric Friedebach]

Scrapped, I believe.

I can’t recall which group it was assigned to. Was the N number on the sheet? Try a Google.

[airnutz]

Back in my youth I got hold of a Monogram C-47 kit which had the decals (including CAF titles) of "Buzz Buggy", the C-47 that the CAF flew in the 1970s. I seem to remember some words to the effect that the plane suffered from corrosion and became non-airworthy as time went on. I just loved the colors of this plane, and wonder what happened to it. Scrapped, parted out, stored, what???

T J

TJ, are you sure you're remembering correctly? CAF decals?..or that it was
decaled with "Buzz Buggy"? "Buzz Buggy" was an original USAAF C-47,
U5-N, s/n 42-100558.

Last edited by airnutz on Sat Dec 24, 2005 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JimH]

I remember Monogram did a series of 1/48th scale models with a CAF theme. The Hellcat, P-51B, and a couple others. They also produced Buzz Buggy as a non CAF marking.

Jim

[Eric Friedebach]

The sheet included “Confederate Air Force” which was to be placed on the fuselage under the horz stab. I don’t think this was part of the CAF series, just happened that they used the colors of a flying aircraft and copied everything right down to the CAF insignia.

I put one together when I was a young punk around 1980. I can remember stuff like decal sheets of a model I put together 25 years ago, but not the girlfriends birthday. Go figure.

[Brad]

The CAF did have a C-47 that was painted up as Buzz Buggy. I remember the "1st Airborn Squadron" of the CAF jumping out of it in Harlingen at one of the airshows.

In the mid to late 80s I was told that it had been sold. I have no idea what the actual ID of the plane was, but it could be that, like many "CAF" planes over the years, it wasn't owned by them but actually on loan.

[airnutz]

The CAF did have a C-47 that was painted up as Buzz Buggy. I remember the "1st Airborn Squadron" of the CAF jumping out of it in Harlingen at one of the airshows.

In the mid to late 80s I was told that it had been sold. I have no idea what the actual ID of the plane was, but it could be that, like many "CAF" planes over the years, it wasn't owned by them but actually on loan.

Oh I'm not denying that Brad. I remember the CAF's bird, but I didn't
remember Monogram Models having a Confederate Air Force Special-
Edition Series dedicated. If what Jim! says is correct in time-period, it's no
wonder I don't remember the kits...the Navy and hookers at the time
sheltered me from such things.

I would think those particular kits would be quite collectable..and I'll
continue to look for any Monogram references or kits. I wouldn't mind
having the series or just the catalog would be interesting.

In searching for info for Eric's question regarding CAF "Buzz Buggy" N-#
and other details, I was surprised that the CAF home-site doesn't have
much of an archive of it's past aircraft..or did I miss something? I have
seen some websites in the past with a lot of photos, but most of those
were of the 1st ten years or so. Anyway...an intriguing subject all 'round..

Last edited by airnutz on Sun Dec 25, 2005 2:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Jack Cook]

The CAF Buzz Buggy appeared on the cover of AC in 1976 with a article on the big CAF airshow.
I to built the Monogram kit along with all of that special CAF special edition run of the F6F, F4U, SBD & SB2C.

[skymstr02]

I remember building a few of the Monogram CAF edition models in the 80's too. One was the A-24B (SBD-5) that had a -3 paint scheme on it, and the TBF that the Colorado Wing had. They were 1/48 scale. Here's an ebay listing for the SBD.

CAF Dauntless Model:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SBD-DAUNTLESS-MODEL ... dZViewItem

edited to include ebay listing

[airnutz]

I remember building a few of the Monogram CAF edition models in the 80's too. One was the A-24B (SBD-5) that had a -3 paint scheme on it, and the TBF that the Colorado Wing had. They were 1/48 scale. Here's an ebay listing for the SBD.

CAF Dauntless Model:
http://cgi.ebay.com/SBD-DAUNTLESS-MODEL ... dZViewItem

edited to include ebay listing

WOW! That's pretty sharp! Maybe from Santa in future years...
Just what I need...more schtuffff...

[Ollie]

There's a "Buxx Buggy" at the Bourget museum near Paris.

[T J Johansen]

Back in my youth I got hold of a Monogram C-47 kit which had the decals (including CAF titles) of "Buzz Buggy", the C-47 that the CAF flew in the 1970s. I seem to remember some words to the effect that the plane suffered from corrosion and became non-airworthy as time went on. I just loved the colors of this plane, and wonder what happened to it. Scrapped, parted out, stored, what???

T J

TJ, are you sure you're remembering correctly? CAF decals?..or that it was
decaled with "Buzz Buggy"? "Buzz Buggy" was an original USAAF C-47,
U5-N, s/n 42-100558.

Yes, as Eric says it did include the legend "Confederate Air Force" under the horizontal, but I don't know if the N# appeared. And this was before Monogram released the CAF series. I think the N# was N291.. or N221.. and included one or two letters, but this could be the figment of my imagination!

T J

[T J Johansen]

John Kerr recently sent me a couple of photos of "Buzz Buggy" from Harlingen, TX back in the "good ole days".





T J

[Tabare Ifran]

Hi to everybody. My name is Tabaré, I am from uruguay. C-47 42-100558 ended his day at Uruguayan Air force since 1950 until 1970.
I want to know what CAF stands for. About TJ Johansen photos, that was the real 42-100558?, besides, what is that patch on the tail?
Thanks
Tabaré

[Dan K]

Hi Tabare...and welcome to the WIX.

Here's the website for the CAF to get you started.

http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/