Exciting stuff! The folks at the Historic Flight Foundation in Everett, Washington, have restored to flying condition a C-47 that once flew the Hump for CNAC, the China National Aviation Corporation.
The airplane began service flying the Hump for CNAC as a C-47 in 1944. It briefly passed through Claire Chennault’s hands in the late 1940s before making it’s way stateside, to Pan American Airways, in 1949. It flew in Pan Am livery as a DC-3 for several years before entering service as an executive transport plane. The Historic Flight Foundation restored in to its full former glory in its Pan Am heyday.
I wished they’d have decided to do it up in CNAC regalia, since it’s probably the only plane that flew for CNAC that’s currently in flying condition, but it’s great to have it back in the air regardless.
If the Historic Flight Foundation can help me match this plane’s registration numbers to its CNAC fleet number, I might be able to match it to some stories that happened in that very airplane. And I’m sure I’ll know some guys who flew it.
Here’s the article about the restoration in Flying magazine.
It’s worth clicking on the Historic Flight Foundation’s website to hear the engine growl they have playing as intro music.
Peter (Pete) G. Goutiere ferry delivered the new airplane, Miami to Calcutta in 1944 on a two-week, 90 hours of flying trip. Pete later joined CNAC. Panda Pete’s aviation memoirs, “Himalayan Rouge”, the second printing, are available direct from Pete, see the CNAC web page for contact information.
That’s great, B. I didn’t know that, and I poured over Pete’s memoir at various stages of writing China’s Wings. I’ll check Himalayan Rogue for the reference this morning. I’m curious how you fished it out…. are you a friend or relative of Pete’s? Cheers, Greg
Very interesting stuff. I’m posting it on my face book….
Tom, we need to figure out what CNAC fleet number that plane had…
We believe this flew as CNAC #100 and XT-20 between 1944 and 1949. Of course, we are still researching its history, so any clues you might have are appreciated!
-Liz
Liz, I’ll see if I can get anything rounded up for you. Thanks, GC