| Restoration provided by: Aerometal International LLC. Aurora, OR 97002 Paul Bazeley – Director of Maintenance |
| SCHEDULE: October 2012: Douglas C-47A N115A ferry flight to Aurora Oregon hangar June 2013 - April 2013: Rebuilding and restoration Aurora Oregon April 2013: Power on and work up to Flight checks May 2013: Flight checks Proving flights Crew building and training August 2013: Trans Atlantic Flight September 2013: RAF Down Ampney Association reunion Operation Market Garden – Arnhem over fight |
| Douglas C-47A N115SA or RAF DAKOTA MK III KG 587 A Rare Find KG 587. None of us knew her by this number. It meant nothing. She was just a tired old Douglas DC-3C. She hadn’t moved in years let alone flown. Her fabric covered flight control surfaces were torn. It seemed more likely with the passing of every year that her situation would ever change unless scrapped or sold for parts. That was until one summer afternoon a leading aviation historian happened to pass by the Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum and identified her as the decorated war veteran she was. Under faded paint and a neglected exterior was an aircraft that had fought and survived the embattled skies over Europe during one of the most turbulent periods in human history - World War II. Historical Career Unbeknown to the Museum, N115SA originally began her extraordinary flying career as a British Royal Air Force Douglas Dakota Mk. III - serial number KG 587. Further research revealed that the aircraft was once based at RAF Down Ampney in the heart of the English countryside and was a member of the 48 Squadron RAF. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation at their Oklahoma City plant, she arrived in the United Kingdom May of 1944. She became operational with 48 Squadron RAF during July of that year, flying numerous sorties to advanced fields in Europe in support of the newly established second front. The most significant operation for KG 587 came several months later. On September 18th 1944 she towed a Horsa glider into a raging battle around the Dutch town of Arnhem as part of the infamous operation Market Garden. She was then involved in 3 further trips to the Arnhem area attempting to resupply the beleaguered allied troops. Enemy activity and opposition became more and more intense with each trip. A sortie on September 21st proved most hazardous when almost half of the aircraft in the formation were lost to enemy fire and KG 587 survived. Her career continued throughout the remaining months of World War II. She was again called to arms with her involvement in Operation Varsity during March of 1945. Our old 'ramp tramp' had participated in some of the most significant airborne operations in the history of aerial warfare. KG 587 had survived with combat damage when many of her squadron sister aircraft did not. Return to Down Ampney With the efforts and dedication of the Museum, a few dedicated individuals, craftsmen, and professionals - our mission is to restore KG 587 to full flying condition and return her to World War II RAF configuration. The intention is to fly her across the Atlantic to Down Ampney in time to attend one of the last reunions of the veterans who flew this very aircraft. Follow and support this unique undertaking and spectacular story |
LINKS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Down_Ampney
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/downampney/2011Jul.htm
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/war_48sqn.htm
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/raf-down-ampney-closed/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-47_Skytrain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Down_Ampney
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/downampney/2011Jul.htm
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem/war_48sqn.htm
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/raf-down-ampney-closed/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_C-47_Skytrain
