Photo ID: 1011569
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Model: Fairchild R4Q-2, C-119F Flying Boxcar |
Registration: 8501W |
| Year: 1951 |
Serial Number: USMC 131695, c/n 10880 |
| Engine(s): Wright R3350-36WA, 18-Cyl. Twin Row Radial, 3420-HP |
Owner: John S. Reffett, Eagle River, AK |
| Location: PAAQ, Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, AK |
Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: July 2004 |
Present Registration: Same |
Present Owner (FAA info): Same |
Notes: 12/16/04 – “Warbird”, and “Warbird Owner” are not very definitive words. They can mean a lot of different things. There is the “Money was no object mine is the best don’t you dare touch my airplane” type. Toward the other end of the spectrum are guys who love the sight, sound and smell of old airplanes, who work hard to make it happen, and get their hands dirty in the process. One gets the distinct impression that the two C-119’s at Palmer, AK represent more the latter than the former.
Someone told me that there were some big airplanes at the other end of the Palmer airport. They were a long ways off and behind some trees, so I couldn’t see them. You had to go out-around, along the edge of town to get there, and I couldn’t find them. It was late in the day so we went back to Anchorage. |
Photo ID: 1011570
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Notes: Back another day and this is what we found. N8501W in a “Why are we sitting here - - let’s go flying” sort of pose. Wow - - it made my heart pound! Still does!!
John S. Reffett, dba Delta Aircraft and Delta Leasing, has owned this aircraft for 20-years. He probably knows C-119’s pretty well! |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011571
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Notes: N8501W was built by Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, MD in 1951 as a USMC R4Q-2, but in 1962 the designation was changed to C-119F. It was given USMC s/n 131695 and Fairchild's c/n 10880. I believe it was Fairchild's Model F-78.
This aircraft was sold as government surplus in 1980 for $16,059 |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011572
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Notes: Pacific International Foods was serious about operating this aircraft in 1981. They applied for and received FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet A6NW, for the Fairchild C-119F/R4Q-2, in Restricted Category. Their plan was to carry fish from the coastal areas to canneries, or to inland airports to be flown out. N8501W has flown only 300-hours since 1981 so I doubt that the project was a booming success. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011573
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Notes: This is your Wright R3350-36WA, 18-cylinder, twin row radial with a two-speed blower. It is 3420-HP for takeoff at 2900-RPM, and alcohol-injected (thus the "A", in -36WA). The propeller is a Hamilton Standard 24260-615.
There's a 60-gallon oil tank for each engine and 1454-gallons of fuel in the wings. One thinks twice about saying "fillerup" if you're not out there makin' money with it. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011574
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Notes: It takes a pretty sturdy gear to handle the max takeoff weight of #71,500 and landing weight of #69,970. Flap and gear extension speed is 140-knots and never exceed speed is 217-knots. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011575
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Notes: The clamshell doors on the rear swing out and a ramp drops down for loading vehicles and other cargo. The C-119F will carry about #20,000. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011576
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Notes: Lots of tail there.
Only 58 of the USMC R4Q-2's were built but the USAF got 238 C-119F's. (The R4Q-2 was the USMC equivalent of the USAF C-119F) |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
Photo ID: 1011577
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Notes: You can learn more about this aircraft and the people who "make it happen", at www.flyingboxcar.com. These guys deserve a lot of credit for their perseverance in preserving this old warbird. I'd like to meet them and hope to see it fly someday. |
| Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
History from FAA files: 7/80 Bill of Sale, USA Sales Contracting Officer, DPDR, Ogden, Utah, sale of "C-119, Military Data Plate R4Q2, s/n 1316-95, Mfg. Data Plate M127, Serial 10880, Engines R3350-36WA", to Dross Metals, Tucson, AZ for $16,059.00.
4/81, Fairchild C-119F/R4Q2, 10880, Military #131695, N8501W sold to Pacific International Foods, Kenai, AK; 4/81 Application by Pacific International for Special Airworthiness Certificate, Experimental, for crew training. Shows 6514-TTAF; 4/81, 30-Day, Experimental Operations Limitations issued for the purpose of crew training within a 100-mile radius of Arlington, WA Airport.
4/81 Operations Limitations issued for the purpose of "Carriage of fresh fish from remote coastal areas of the state of Alaska either to fish canneries or to airports in Alaska for transportation to other destinations by Surplus Military Aircraft as Special Purpose Operation and Federal Aviation Regulation 21.25 (b) (7)." Restricted Category Aircraft. Other limitations were specified including: "This aircraft must be operated along the most direct route or established airways between the following areas and points: King Salmon, Kenai and Anchorage, Alaska. Prior to operation into Anchorage, the FAA Anchorage FSDO must be contacted for additional operating limitations." Their application showed 6525-TTAF.
9/81, Aircraft repossessed by Seattle-First National Bank; 6/82 To Elling Halvorson, Inc., Redmond, WA for $70,000; 6/82 Special Operating Limitations issued for private carriage of cargo. Passengers and cargo may not be carried for compensation or hire. Takeoffs and landings over populated areas are prohibited. Strict restrictions for operating out of Anchorage International; 8/85 To Delta Associates, Inc., Anchorage, AK, two C-119's for $175,000; 10/87 to Delta Leasing, Anchorage, AK; 4/98 To John S. Reffett, Eagle River, AK; 5/02 Application for Special Airworthiness Certificate, Restricted Category for Private Carriage of Cargo. Aircraft had 6821-TTAF. Airworthiness Certificate issued, references 6/82 Operating Limitations.
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www.FlyingHigher.net - Fairchild Aircraft
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