PAAQ-Palmer, Alaska-07/2013
Hello all,
The Alaskan spotting continued with a smaller airport that many are liable to have never heard of, Palmer Municipal Airport. This was an out of the way little place I had found on google earth while scouting out potential stopping points on our way from Anchorage to Denali. What piqued my interest was the presence of two ex-military C-119 Flying Boxcars on the satellite imagery, so we decided to swing by to try and catch a glimpse. What was supposed to be a hit and run, shooting through the fence, quickly turned into more when the owner of the aircraft not only invited us onto the ramp, but onboard the aircraft, which is soon to return to a fully operational status, all things continuing to go well. While this is probably the least "exciting" set of images to the lovers of big jets and the like that I took during this trip, it was certainly a very unique experience, and one which I hope some of you will enjoy!
There are two C-119s on the field, and this one is not flightworthy, and is the only one to feature the auxiliary jet engine mounter up top.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/9...bf7b7928_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/9...af8631d9_b.jpg
The owner chatting with us from the cockpit before we climbed in
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/9...b449c1c1_b.jpg
The C-119 was designed primarily to airdrop infantry, hence the two paratroop doors in the rear. Some interesting anecdotes shared with us were that paratroops had to alternate sides, and could not jump from both doors simultaneously, lest they collide in mid air. Additionally, they could fly with the doors removed, although this precluded the use of flaps. Additionally, as you may be able to make out, the rear fuselage splits vertically to allow things like jeeps or howitzers to be on or offloaded.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9...c675fe82_b.jpg
Where the loadmaster controlled the doors
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/9...8587f143_b.jpg
The flightdeck
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/9...f65e0d45_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/9...3629948e_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/9...f67fe47f_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9...c6e8a9c0_b.jpg
And here is an overview of the flightworthy bird
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/9...aee9f7e2_b.jpg
On our way into the airport, I noticed what appeared to be two Convairs parked on the opposite side of the field, so we swung around once again hoping to poke my lense through the fence and grab a couple of shots. However, the firefighters and pilots at the department of forestry were kind enough to invite me out onto their ramp as well, making these shots possible. My first Convair 580's, and what a treat they were!
Their pilot aircraft
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/9...56cfa9b1_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/9...331dcefa_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/9...b038d9a0_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9...af83ece7_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9...6ab9cca5_b.jpg
Also located on the field were these two DC-3s, which regularly operate within the area. Sadly we had to leave before either of them flew, but operational DC-3s are a treat, static or not.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9...99b5f912_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/9...173ed241_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/9...61431521_b.jpg
On our way back from Denali several days later, we decided to pass through PAAQ again to follow up on mention I had heard of an operational DC-4 that operates in the area. It was absent during our first visit, but the idea of a potential flightworthy DC-4 was too good to pass up. Imagine our surprise to discover not one, but 2 flightworthy DC-4s, one of which had just ferried to Palmer for return to service the day before! Once more what was intended to be a quick photo turned into a ramp and cockpit invite from the friendly locals.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/9...3c7fc7e9_b.jpg
This gal hadn't flown in over a year before they ferried here to Palmer
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9...a008d076_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/9...1de8e98f_b.jpg
Some pretty fancy avionics for an old bird, loving that Ipad in there!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/9...916fa950_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/9...84d36f11_b.jpg
If you've ever wondered how they get heating oil, diesel fuel, or other petro-goods out to the small mines or settlements, well, now you know! Load it in a DC-4 and fly it out.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/9...fbbd8df0_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2838/9...b7cdde63_b.jpg
All in all, Palmer was an incredible experience. It isn't often that one gets to get hands on with such classic aircraft that are still earning their keep as anything other than warbirds or museum pieces. While the C-119's future is far from certain (and I am in fact assisting the owner in locating some parts he needs) it seems like the Douglas birds will soldier on indefinitely. As a true testament to their strength and ruggedness, their crew chief once told me that they had flown one for a considerable amount of time with a broken main spar, and had no idea!
Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this little set. Some more exciting, more traditional images to come!
Cheers,
Nick
