Return of the “Meat Chopper”

February 1, 2017 by Leave a Comment

meatchopper6The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) owns a Republic P-47N Thunderbolt painted as “Lil’ Meaties Meat Chopper”.  The original “Meat Chopper”  served with the 464th FS/507th FG based on Ie Shima in 1945.  In 2002 , the CAF’s P-47 was involved in an accident.  The aircraft caught on fire during a maintenance test flight and made and emergency landing at Albuquerque International Airport in New Mexico where it had taken off from not long before. (See NTSB report)  The aircraft was substantially damaged and subsequently placed in storage for many years.

This year as a part of the CAF’s 12 Planes of Christmas Campaign, they announced that meatchopper5they were holding a fundraising campaign for this P-47.  The CAF’s goal is to conduct further structural surveys of this Thunderbolt to determine what it will need for its return to flight.  “…Tremendous work has been completed in restoring the aircraft to flying condition, with the fuselage repaired, a new canopy and windshield fitted, the control surfaces rebuilt and painted, and a replacement wing located and purchased.”

Donate to help this Meat Chopper get back in the air and honor those who fought for our freedom!

Photo Credit: Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

Filed Under: Airshow, CAF, Restoration, Restoration Project, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CAF PBJ-1 Closer To Flight

December 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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CAF SoCal Wing’s USMC PBJ-1 Mitchell

The Commemorative Air Force’s Southern California Wing has been working to restore the last USMC PBJ-1 Mitchell to flyable condition for the past 22 years.  On December 19, 2015 the PBJ-1 fired up her engines, completing a big step toward first flight.  However the CAF SoCal Wing still needs to raise $50,000 in order to install the instruments and communication systems, necessary to fly. (Click to donate to the project)  The taxi tests will begin after the holidays and first flight should follow soon after.  Check back soon for more updates. For more information about the PBJ-1 Mitchell and its restoration visit CAF SoCal

 

 

Photo Credit: CAF SoCal Wing

Article Written By: Thomas Reilly

Filed Under: CAF

The C-47 That Led the D-Day Invasion- “That’s All Brother”

June 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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“That’s All Brother” C-47 42-92847 on June 5, 1944.

The C-47 42-92847 “That’s All Brother”, the aircraft that led the D-day Invasion on June 6, 1944 will be acquired by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).  “That’s All Brother” is currently owned by Basler Turbo Conversions, a company that rebuilds C-47’s and DC-3’s and replaces their radial engines with turboprop engines.  The CAF recently launched a kickstarter campaign and within days the $75,000 goal to purchase the aircraft was reached.  With the campaign being open until July 5, 2015, the CAF has stretched its goal to $250,000 which covers the cost of complete restoration to “That’s All Brother”‘s original condition.

To help support the restoration of “That’s All Brother” please donate through the CAF’s kickstarter page by clicking the picture:

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That’s All Brother C-47 42-92847 nose art.

Filed Under: C-47, CAF, D-Day, Main Menu Tagged With: , , , ,