C-97 Still Losing Engines!

[Bruce Gorrell]

Andy, was this the 97 rehab’d at Floyd Bennet Field and flown out a year or so Ago?

Yes, it is. If anyone remembers Jason Pence, he's deep into the C-97, planning on qualifying as Flight Engineer.

He was a big help to us at Reading last weekend.

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Glad you asked, John, I had the same question.

[John Tucci]

Andy, was this the 97 rehab’d at Floyd Bennet Field and flown out a year or so Ago?

[Randy Sohn]

........a warm spot for the beast.........who can still hear the brakes squealing in the night out on the SAC flight line)

Chuckle, Tom, hereabouts same-oh! At Offutt we had 5 of the VC-97 versions, Gen. LeMay's bird was "593" and Bobby Watson was his pilot. You mentioned those brakes screaming - later at the MN ANG we had 10 of the A models (ANG-MATS) that'd been formerly at Travis AFB ("Suisan Slew") and we'd stay inside the ops building until we'd hear a 97 coming back to the ramp for crew change. Not a whole lotta time in the 97s, 2600 hours +_, can still recall the water's condensation after a long trans-ocean crossing and having it run down the longeron after all that time at cruise and dribble all over your head and shoulders when we'd start down to land at Honolulu or the Azores. Good ole bird, IIRC only feathered a couple "corncobs" (R-4360s).

BTW, Tim Chopp is the guy who's there at B.A.F. with "Angel of Deliverancc". Also have a C-54/R5D.

best, randy

[Tom Charlton]

I got this pic and the accompanying write up off Facebook. C-97's still eating engines...

“looking at a cost of around $300,000 dollars."

Hi Andy,
My first gig in the USAF working on KC-97s back in 1963/64. I too, like Randy, have a warm spot for the beast. Would love to see and hear one flying but I think Randy and I would both agree the historical significance of the type isn’t worthy of the outrageous expenditure required to keep a 97 operational.

Regards,
Tom Charlton (who can still hear the brakes squealing in the night out on the SAC flight line)

[A. Niemyer]

I got this pic and the accompanying write up off Facebook. C-97's still eating engines...

"On Tuesday, June 4, the C-97 “Angel of Deliverance” was returning to Reading, PA from Hagerstown, MD to participate in the annual Mid Atlantic Air Museum World War II Weekend event. At a point 20 miles southwest of Reading, the number two engine suffered a catastrophic internal failure and had to be shut down and feathered. While a routine Three engine landing was made at Reading, we are now left in need of a replacement engine. There are a few out there, finding a airworthy replacement may be difficult. We are looking at a cost of around $300,000 dollars.This amount will not only help us obtain a replacement R-4360-59B engine, but a meaningful supply of spares which will secure the airplane’s future for a long time to come. Find out how to help by visiting our website at www.spiritoffreedom.org. You can also donate directly via PayPal to Airlift48@aol.com.
The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation is a 501 c 3 tax exempt charitable organization."