C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" Photos/Videos

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

For anyone interested, the below set of photos documents the activities leading up to (and including) the BAHF C-97's most recent takeoff. This was at Hagerstown, departing to Reading on the flight during which the #2 engine failed. The shots hopefully give some idea of the tremendous amount of effort required to maintain and operate a beast like this.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/vzlet/40Y1j7

airnutz · **Posted:** Wed Nov 20, 2019 11:49 am

Nice!! Thanks Vzlet! Fresh paint and runups!

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

These are fantastic! May we use them?

Kevin

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

Sure, Kevin. I wouldn't have them were it not for Tim's generosity! If you need higher-resolution versions of any, let me know.
There are some of the C-54 at https://www.flickr.com/gp/vzlet/72ND8f

dbrown · **Posted:** Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:59 pm

I would LOVE To see that fly at an airshow.

:supz:

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

The "Angel" is still sitting at Reading, PA with a dead #2 engine. We are still fundraising to purchase a small cache of spare parts (Including engines) To help out, go to http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/c97engine.html for information.

Thanks!

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2019 12:56 pm

With the recent news about the former Fairchild plant being re-utilized, is there a chance we could see the Berlin Airlift Group AND the Hagerstown Aviation Museum move in over there so both collections could not only be under cover in there own respective hangars, but accessible to the general public too?!

lucky52 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2019 3:35 pm

Were all the 4360s off off the B-36s and C-97s and whatever else scrapped? I guess all the new spares were used up a long time ago.

chasd25 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2019 6:59 pm

Pacific coast air museum has one off in the corner on a stand, I have no idea on its condition.

The Penngrove Power and Implement Museum has one they fire up every year at their "Power up" event. Their website is down, but they have a Facebook page.

WIXerGreg · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2019 7:38 pm

Were the Rantoul C-97 engines scrapped?

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2019 1:09 am

Pretty sure they were; the Air Force only took the engines from the HU-16 and C-47. Last view of the C-97's engines here, dumped on the apron, courtesy WIXer kalamazookid:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884 ... 0900831681

old iron · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:53 am

What is the delta-wing "cruise missile" next to the C-119? Something experimental?

sandiego89 · **Joined:** Mon May 21, 2012 12:28 pm **Posts:** 1199

Wow, what a great album, thank you for sharing.

I wonder if any of the 4360's on the abandoned KC-97's at Greybull are worth pursuing? Understand they would still require expensive refurbishment.

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:55 pm

old iron wrote:

What is the delta-wing "cruise missile" next to the C-119? Something experimental?

Fairchild XSM-73 Bull Goose decoy cruise missile; one of four survivors - didn't perform as well as expected, but looks cool anyway:

https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit ... ull-goose/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XSM-73_Goose

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

I like how this illustrates aviation progress -- Fairchild state-of-the-art, from late 1930s canvas to mid-1950s composites:

Fairchild XSM-73 Bull Goose

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C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" Photos/Videos

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