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Allan Vogel raised £1,010 from 30 supporters
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Closed 22/08/2017
Weʼve raised £1,010 to To secure funding for the preservation and restoration to flight of this rare WW2, Korean, Vietnam veteran Douglas C-54 Skymaster 56498
- North Weald Bassett, United Kingdom
- Funded on Tuesday, 22nd August 2017
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Story
This rare surviving aircraft was delivered to the United States Army Air Force in 1945 as C-54D-1-DC (42-72525) and immediately transferred to the United States Navy as R5D-3. It was later converted to a C-54Q in 1962 (56498) The aircraft was retired in 1972 after 30 years’ service during WW2 , Korean War and the Vietnam War. We have evidence of the aircraft being based at Naval Air Station Agana on Guam, Hawaii and Iwakuni in Japan. She took in vital live blood for wounded soldiers, supplies and operated in the Pacific theater from 1945 to 1972. She was sold to the agricultural industry in 1977 for carrying out aerial spraying operations. Eventually sold in January 1996 when the registration was transferred to Atlantic Warbirds Inc. of New Hampshire. A $500,000 restoration was carried out and the aircraft together with another DC 4 were flown to England to feature in a film about the Candy Bombers that operated out of England during the Berlin Airlift of 1948 & 1948 taking in much needed aid, food, clothing and fuel to the starving population of Berlin who had been surrounded by the Russian Army. Sadly the film was cut and so there was no longer any use for the two DC4's that flew in to North Weald in Essex. Both aircraft were purchased and over the years had periodic engine runs. Sadly the sister aircraft was cut up in December 2015 and sold for scrap. The cockpit was salvaged and is now owned by a private museum.
We have secured this aircraft and we need all your support to now restore the aircraft. A survey has been carried out by a top engineer and the opinion is that she can be returned to flight and is worth saving ! The aim is to raise an total of £350,000 to get her airworthy. She will be operated and tour the UK airshow circuit and tour abroad as a visiting classroom.We want people to have a hands on visit and climb on board and see, feel and smell what this old work horse is really like. Updates can be found on the Facebook page 'Save the Skymaster'
Updates
15
- 7 years ago
Allan Vogel
7 years agoThank you to all those who helped to get this project moving ! We managed to raise over £1000 which helps us get more exposure and generate more awareness in this project. As a result of us visiting RIAT 2017 , our first event, We have since raised a further £20,000 from sponsors who have offered to donate parts and much needed materials for the restoration of the aircraft. We are now going to Scampton on the 9th & 10th of Sept for our second event and we hope to keep spreading the word and getting more funding and volunteers with the skills.
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- 7 years ago
Allan Vogel
7 years agoShare this update to help us raise more
- 7 years ago
Allan Vogel
7 years agoThank you to everyone who came to visit the C-54 at North Weald last weekend and thank you for your generous donations. We had cockpit tours presented by retired Concorde Capt Stephen Bohill-Smith and my own 12 year old son , Luke who commanded the Capt seat and claimed this for himself. We had our new merchandise available For Sale and over 200 families came through and visited the aircraft. I gave a talk to groups about the aircrafts history from WW2 , Korea & Vietnam. We had numerous people sign up to our membership and volunteer. Thank you
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- 7 years ago
Allan Vogel
7 years agoWell that is RIAT done for one year ! The aim is to have the Skymaster there next year ! We also want to be able commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift and fly to Berlin ! We met amazing people over the weekend and we managed to have two teams on Sunday and opened the C 54 to the public for viewing. Thank you all for your interest and donations. We value your support and every penny helps us to get this aircraft back in the air.
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Allan Vogel started crowdfunding
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Supporters
30
Matthias Hirnigel (AiB e.V.)
Aug 1, 2017
£30.00
Dee burrows
Jul 25, 2017
Onwards and upwards
£10.00
Tim and friends
Jul 7, 2017
£20.00
Jens Brooks
Jul 4, 2017
£200.00
Michael Johnson
Jun 28, 2017
Good luck with your project
£10.00
Dee burrows
Jun 28, 2017
Onwards and Upwards!! From a Vulcan Scrubber!!
£10.00
Sheila Blankfield
Jun 27, 2017
Hope you get the old bird up in the air where she belongs. David Prior.
£50.00
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About CrowdfundingAbout the fundraiser
Allan Vogel
North Weald Bassett, United Kingdom
An avid aircraft enthusiast, pilot and broker of aircraft sales with a focus on Classic and Historic types. A passion for history of WW1 , WW2 and current.