Charleston USAF Museum, a walk around.


Photos © by Walt McKinney (May 2005)

On a recent trip to the area, in Spring 2005, I found entry to Charleston AFB,SC was not allowed and I was thus unable to take photos of the preserved vintage transports here. Walt McKinney took heart and emailed me some photos taken in May, 2005:


This Douglas C-47B-16-DK workhorse has the following history:
At first it was assigned the manufacturer's serial no. 15171, due to duplication this was revised to 26616; it was delivered from the Douglas factories to the USAAF with tailnumber 43-49355, in Dec44.
Many details of its history seem to be lost, but it was designated a VIP transport (VC-47D) by Sep54 for the USAF.
With the 0 (for obsolete...) added to its tailnumber, it continued its servicelife bravely with the 437th MAW (Military Airlift Command) & 315th MAW.


This "Skytrain" was preserved at Charleston,SC as 2100972 (short for 42-100972) "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by (since?) 1982.


The C-47B Skytrain photos were taken on 19May05.


"The C-47 Skytrain on display near the base flag pole was given to Charleston AFB in August 1982. During restoration it was painted to replicate “The Chattanooga Choo Choo” originally assigned to the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, another World War II 437th Troop Carrier Group flying squadron. The real aircraft was listed as missing in Burma on October 21, 1944. The static display C-47 was acquired in 1982 from the Confederate Air Force and is marked with the group’s D-Day paint scheme. Although restoration efforts were extraordinary, the aircraft on display is not an exact replica."
From: http://public.charleston.amc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4137


There was a song written in 1941 that was very popular during World War 2 called "Chattanooga Choo-Choo".


Years of display outside are leaving their marks on the aircraft.
More on this vintage transport: http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/specs/douglas/vc-47d.htm

The following photos were taken by Walt on May 23rd, 2005.

Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation, displayed with USAF serial 54-0153, however its original serial was 54-0180.


Construction number of this C-121C is 4199.
More on these majestic transports: http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/specs/lockheed/c-121c.htm


This Douglas C-124C Globemaster II, serial 52-1072, is a true "Giant of the Skies"!


Construction number of this C-124C is 43981.
Walt wrote me again in Feb.2007:
"The C-124 was opened up last year after remaining unopened for a number of years, and a 1972 Ford staff car was found inside!
It was removed and sent to the USAF Air Mobility Command museum at Dover AFB for restoration and display."

I found the following info about these preserved aircraft on the following website
www.fly-net.org/aeromedia/charlesgb.html
It also provides links for more info on these aircraft.
"Five miles northwest of Charleston on Interstate 26.
A letter of request to enter the AFB is requested by the 437th Public Affair Division, including all the specifics: dates, number of people, phone numbers, points of contact
Further information: telephone (803) 566-5588
Near the north gate of the AFB the following aircraft are on static display: "

  • Lockheed C-121C-LO Super Constellation 54-153 cn 4172
  • Douglas C-124C-DL Globemaster II 52-1072 cn 43981
  • Lockheed C-141B-LM Starlifter 63-8079 cn 6010
    		•


    Its 4 Pratt & Whitney R-4360-63A engines rise high above the ground; with a cruising speed of 230mph/370kmh it would have a range of slightly over 4.000 miles (almost 6.500 kms).
    More on these giants: http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/specs/douglas/c-124c.htm

    Charleston AFB at http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/museums


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