I’ve recently acquired the nose section of a C-47 and was wondering whether anyone here can assist me in tracing it’s identity? The clues are a little sketchy, but hopefully they will jog someones memory.
The aircraft was definately built as a C-47 & not a DC-3. It shows evidence of post-war USAF use (radio & electronic refit circa 1948-55). At some point it was operating in Spain before being moved to Germany & broken up circa 1995. The cockpit & parts of the fuselage were then used as a ticket booth in a cinema in Germany. At this time it was painted in a vivid red & white livery (white upper section, red lower). About a year ago, the cinema closed & the cockpit was disposed of. Thats all the facts I know.
The cockit is currently stripped of most of it’s fittings & there are no data plates present. It is a long term project which will be restored, but in the meantime any pointers as to it’s identity will be most appreciated!
By: Dave T - 9th January 2006 at 11:59
Current location ?
And any photo’s of it could help….?
And you could try the good folks (and the DC-3 forum) at DC-3.com
😀
.
By: C-47skytrain - 9th January 2006 at 11:48
Many thanks to all who have delved into their books for me, I really appreciate your efforts. I’m afraid that I don’t have much more detail to add.
Tha last owner told me (anecdotally) that the aircraft served with AAF Air Transport Command, though at this time I’ve got no evidence to support this. I’m assuming that it operated for quite some time in Spain as some of the placards have a spanish language translation fitted or painted alongside and some spanish manufactured parts fitted (hoses, etc). As to where in Germany it languished as a ticket booth, I’m afraid that I don’t know. I’d imagine that it would have been a bit of a “one off” though!
As to how I obtained it, well after the Cimema closed a year ago it was sold to a chap inn Austria who had plans to restore it. He didn’t have the time to do so, so sold it to me. If I receive any further details from him, I’ll post them here.
As I said, the cockpit is stripped but sound. There is no corrosion that I can find, but there is still much work to do. I’d call it a long, long term project!
By: Newforest - 8th January 2006 at 21:57
Is there anything else that you can tell us?
If nothing else, I’m pretty interested in hearing about how you acquired it..
Mark
Yup, we give up! :p Give us a clue, how did you get it, what town, some mechanic usually scribbles a note somewhere :confused:
By: KarMarLuk - 8th January 2006 at 21:13
Is there anything else that you can tell us?
If nothing else, I’m pretty interested in hearing about how you acquired it..
Mark
By: keithjs - 8th January 2006 at 20:30
C-47 ID
I know its not out till next month but the ‘ultimate’ DC3 book should be released then by Air Britain. Maybe there will be some info in that. I have had a look through both of my DC3 Survivors books by Arthur Pearcy but without a little more of the airframe existing its a bit bifficult. Sorry.
By: KarMarLuk - 8th January 2006 at 18:01
Sorry C-47skytrain, I’ve looked through both ‘The Legacy of the DC-3’ by Henry M.Holden and Kengo Yamamoto’s ‘Douglas DC-3 The Survivors’ to no avail…
Mark
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January 8, 2006 at 4:38 pm