Oscoda, Michigan—The Kalitta Maintenance division of Kalitta Air is making quick work of a huge restoration project. They are putting a new finish on the Yankee Air Museum’s first airplane, a World War Two era Douglas C-47 Skytrain. The plane flew into Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport a scant ten days ago and the Kalitta team immediately pored and pored over the project to prepare it for fresh paint. First, the plane was washed of its severely weathered paint and then painstaking detail work was done by hand.
“This project is going well, very well,” said Greg Ruby, Structures Manager for Kalitta Maintenance. “Our team is loving this project. It’s unique for them and they’re learning about historical aircraft design and manufacturing techniques.”
Ruby said that once plane was stripped of its topcoat, close inspections were possible, and the airplane was found to be in great condition considering it is 73 years of age. Ruby commented that the Yankee Air Museum C-47 crew has been on hand periodically to check the condition of the aircraft and consult on its maintenance.
“My dad was a World War Two Veteran and he would be very proud of this project,” said Bill Hensley, Account Executive with Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings. “He passed away a number of years ago, but it would make him happy that this history is being preserved.”
Sherwin-Williams is supplying the paint and related products for the external restoration while Kalitta Maintenance is providing the technical expertise, skilled labor and facilities for the project.
“The coatings to be applied are military grade,” said Fernando Hernandez, Technical Service Representative with Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings. “When the plane is done, it will be fit for service as everything we are supplying meets military specifications.”
Hernandez says careful attention was given to assure the paint mixtures replicate World War Two colors and are consistent from start to finish.
“The next time you see her, she’ll have color, and we will be reinstalling the control surfaces and getting her ready to fly again,” said Ruby. “We’re very pleased to be part of this project and make a contribution to aviation history and the Yankee Air Museum.”
This C-47 transport aircraft was first delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1945. It flew in a variety of roles until being acquired by Yankee Air Museum in 1982. After a 20-month restoration, the Museum started flying her again in May 1984. The Kalitta Air donation is providing the first exterior restoration in 34 years, and it will last a lifetime.
Kalitta Air, a worldwide leader in specialized, on-demand air freight services, and Yankee Air Museum jointly announced this restoration project in November 2017.
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
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