About two weeks ago, I posted about a C-47 that once flew the Hump for CNAC that has been restored to flying condition by the Historic Flight Foundation in Everett, Washington.
Shortly after I posted that story, I got an email from Liz Matzelle, a Historical Flight Foundation volunteer, filled with details about the airplane. Apparently, when it was with CNAC, it was a Lend-Lease C-47 that rolled off the Douglas assembly line in Long Beach and flew as CNAC #100, and then after the war was renumbered as XT-20. CNAC #100 doesn’t feature in any of the stories I related in China’s Wings, but it was there flying alongside the other airplanes I did mention, and being flown by the people in the book. So far, I haven’t seen it in any of the wartime photo collections I’ve perused, but since there are more pictures of airplanes in the old CNAC pilots’ collections than there are of women (by far), I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few photos of #100 I just haven’t noticed yet.
Liz was kind enough to include some photos of their restoration in her email (and grant me permission to post them). They’re in the gallery below, and I must say, it’s great to have the old bird back in the air.
Isn’t she gorgeous?
* UPDATE! Scroll down and read the comment posted by Pennie Rand. Apparently, her father, ex-CNAC pilot Foster McEdward, flew this exact airplane, both when it was with CNAC, and in the 1950s, when it was a corporate plane.
Here’s a six-month old post featuring Foster McEdward, with two excellent photos.
Pennie,
You told the story of N8009 as I heard it. I worked on 8009 for several years, and remember when your dad was hired to fly 009. I flew several times on the airplane, and worked on this, the other DC3 Intl Shoe Machine had bought, in addition to working on the DC-6 they purchased later. I remember your dad informing us that these engines did not have to leak. Prior to this, I had been taught if they weren’t leaking, there was no oil. Your dad made us fix every leak, and, they did run dry (other than stack oil). I learned something from him.
Fabulous, Roy! Thanks for posting your story. GC
Gregory, I stumbled upon your site after Liz Matzelle queried on my ‘Hump Pilots Association’ Facebook page, regarding CNAC #100 and research she was doing on the aircraft. My father, William C. Jackson, was a pilot in the CBI theater, had been secretary/treasurer for a long time, and past president of the Hump Pilots Association. I would love to have your participation on the Facebook page as it appears that you have done a lot of research in this area and I think there are a number of people who would find your work of interest.
I’d love to, Paul! Can you direct me to it? Thanks, GC
I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you; I hadn’t seen your reply until today. The link to the FB page is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hump-Pilots-Association/131312776921795
Thanks Paul. I’ve just liked it with my China’s Wings page. Cheers, GC
An amazing old aircraft. So beautiful. Here is another example: http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA—Air/Douglas-C-47-DL-Skytrain/2197384/L/&sid=1a09ca5952a27170971b7932277c47dd
Incredibly Cool! And ongoing connections like this are only possible because of the efforts of Greg Crouch and his wonderful book, the great cnac.org web site and its Webmaster Tom Moore, and the ongoing significant efforts of the CNAC Association and its officers, including Peggy Maher, Eve Coulson, Valerie Parish Kendrick, Craig Chinn, Tom Moore and others.
THANK YOU ALL for making these ongoing connections possible.
Thank you, Steve. I’m sure we’re all doing it because we love the stories of CNAC.
Plus, it’s a lot of fun.
Greg, I believe this is THE plane my dad, Foster “Mac” McEdward, flew for the last 20 years of his flying career ending in 1995. The plane my dad flew was previously N8009 and had a Chinese Chung under one of the wings, (I believe the right wing) that my dad hired someone to paint on the wing. The plane also had a bit longer nose that had been refurbished at one time I believe by the owner previous to International Shoe Machine. My dad had it updated with the latest navigational equipment so they could fly it world wide. N8009 at the time my dad flew it was owned by International Shoe Machine Inc, based in Nashua, NH. Prior to International Shoe Machine owning it, the DC-3 was owned by the Johnson and Johnson Co. My dad has 16 mm films of this plane in flight and many many still photos. As the chief pilot for the company, my dad and his crew flew the plane world wide for 20 years traveling to Central America, South America, Europe and Alaska. Dirk Septer emailed me the photo of it landing out west and I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looks beautiful!!! I too, was lucky enough to fly in it many times with my dad, the former HUMP Pilot and life long pilot for 54 years. He was so excited when he learned that it had been restored and would remain in a history museum, but not just on display, but actually giving flights to people so they too could experience the beauty and joy of riding in such a fine aircraft.
Pennie, that’s absolutely FANTASTIC! Have you and your father been in touch with the people at the Historic Flight Foundation?
I’m going to refer Liz to your comment.