After five years of being a derelict at my airport (MSSS - Ilopango, El Salvador), buying it for scrap, and 15 years of a painstaking restoration, I finally got my C-47 up in the air. The flight took only 20 minutes due to low oil pressure/ high temp on the left engine, but the flight was a dream come true.

The color in the picture is only the base coat, and the interior has not been installed. We'll do the second flight on Wednesday, hoping that we have taken care of the oil pressure problem. After the third acceptable test flight, I will ground it in order to paint t and install the interior. A new weight and balance will show, probably, that the aircraft is too light on the tail, so we will probably be installing some wait back there. We' taken so much junk from her, that the first weight and balance showed that we have reduced the empty weight from a standard military C-47 by 1,200 pounds!!

I am working on a web site to illustrate the whole restoration process, so when I have it finished, I'll post the URL. And, my plan is to bring it up for Sun 'n Fun and AirVenture next year.

PatínLoco wrote:After five years of being a derelict at my airport (MSSS - Ilopango, El Salvador), buying it for scrap, and 15 years of a painstaking restoration, I finally got my C-47 up in the air.

+1000

Way to go!

That is awesome! Way to go PatinLoco.

Keep us updated on the progress and POST MORE PICTURES!

Absolutely fantastic!!!

Can't imagine the work, let alone the cost to get something like that airborne again. Good job saving the old girl!

Scott

Well, that's why it took me so long. It is a major financial commitment. Sometimes I would spend one or two years without working on it due to lack of funds. But, slowly but surely, I'm almost done.

One of the major factors that have helped me is the fact that I have made it experimental. In my country, it is by easy to do (unlike the US), and my only limitation is that I cannot operate it commercially. And, that's not a big deal for me. I have created a non-profit foundation to own it, and all "rides" and show appearances only require a donation to the foundation.

Since it is experimental, I have things on board like, port-a-potty, 24v to 110v inverter for the cabin (bought at a hardware store), and a Honda 7,500 watt generator that will give 110v on the ground at airshows, charge the batteries (if needed), and a water ballast tank in the tail that can be filled according to how light the tail is after loading. I also have other neat ideas for my "flying camper".

Of course, most of my flying will be done to airshows that will pay for my fuel!!

Of course, most of my flying will be done to airshows that will pay for my fuel!!

Good luck in finding any that will. Most airshow sponsors are barely able to cover the advertising and security expenses, let alone pay anyone's fuel bill.

But whatever, good on you for getting the old girl in the air again. My Dad flew right seat in C47s in the last years of WWII, in New Guinea, so they have a soft spot in my heart.

Cary

My hero lives in El Salvador, who knew?? That would be so cool to have a DC-3. There was one at OSH with tents all around it, that is the way to camp. Cub my rear end.

I can only imagine the work involved after being grounded for 20 years, especially in a humid climate.

All you need now is a few General Electric products hanging out the doors and you will have your own Puff the Majic Dragon.

Cub my rear end.

*Singing* "We're all doing what we can...." (Beatles)



Verrrry COOL project!! Bigtime kudos....
I'm glad you "Can" !

lc

Second flight is programmed for this Monday. Hope everything goes well. If the left engine overheats again, I'm sure I'll have to change the main bearing, which will require a complete tear down of the engine (for the third time!!) Oh well, that's what you get for getting involved in restoring 70 year old airplanes. By the way, three of my planes were made before 1945: the C-47, a 450 Stearman, and my favorite, a 1944 L4 Cub!

Camping under the wing of the C-47 at OSH would be absolutely awesome. Please come say hello if we happen to be there at the same time!! I'll have a folding chair and a fresh cup of coffee under the shade of the wing for you!

Camping under the wing of a c-47 is indeed awesome. I was fortunate enough to go to Oshkosh for the first time in a c-47 out of kddh about twenty something years ago,one of the greatest experiences of my life---only to be dwarfed by flying our Cessna 180 out for my sons graduation from high school. We camped under the wing for nine days,best nine days of my life.

I hope to be able to say the same, soon!

The DC-3 or C-47 is one of the best aircraft ever to be seen from the ground,but even better from the inside looking out. The sense of history is simply amazing. I can not imagine your feeling for that machine after the long restoration,I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

As long as I don't think about the fuel cost, VT180, I know I'll enjoy it very much! Even though I using a mixture of 25% Avgas and 75% auto fuel, at 80-100 gals an hour, it's still a major ouch!

The C-47 flew for the third time today. It's incredible to see it flying after being abandoned for 5 years and a restoration of 15 years!! This is the third test flight, and although most everything is working beautifully, I do have a problem. I hope you guys have some ideas as to how to resolve it. I want to remind you that this aircraft is in El Salvador, and it is experimental, which gives me a lot of leeway.

Engine #1 (L) is running smoothly, but oil pressure is too low. On the first flight, once at cruise, the oil pressure went to 40 psi, when it should have been between 70 and 75 psi. Oil temp was slightly higher than normal (200° while the right engine stayed at a cool 170°), but not even close to red line. On the third flight today, OP went up to 55 psi (getting closer to the desired 70 psi), and OT matched the right engine's normal 170°. All other parameters a normal.

Now, here is what I've done to that engine:
1) changed all cylinder assemblies to new ones (14 of them!!!)
2) new rings
3) all new hoses
4) all new gaskets
5) new blower
6) checked crank
7) all new push rods and sleeves

Now, to find a solution to the low oil pressure, I've done:
1) switched indicators
2) switched sending units
3) changed oil pump
4) tried with an indicator right next to the sending unit

Nothing changed!!! But the pressure is improving. A buddy of mine who happens to be an AAC (our FAA) inspector said to mr today. "Hey, it's not below minimums, and it's improving with every flight. So, what I would do is keep flying it". So, I'm going to be forced to do that!!

Another friend of mine that used to fly this same plane told me he thought the main bearing might be the problem?!?!?!? Comments? Ideas? Help!!!

Eduardo

I'm no mechanic, but the guy who rebuilt my motorhome engine years ago told me that the low oil pressure I'd been experiencing before he rebuilt it was caused by main bearing wear--I thought it might have been the oil pump. I still think he should have replaced the oil pump, too, because the oil pressure was only a little better after he rebuilt the engine. Don't know if any of that helps.

Cary

Sure helps Cary, because you're not the only one that has suggested that! Thanks!!

Eduardo

Oil pressure bypass?

As far as I know there is no bypass in these engines. There is a line directly from the engine to the indicator, and that's it. Or, am I missing something, Mack?

Eduardo,

Your improving oil pressure could be as a result of the thrust seating the crank relative to the bearing. There are a few things to break in when you get radials out of overhaul. I only fly them a few years, but they have their own personalities. Last time I got to diddle with C-47/DC-3's was in Honduras, back int the 80's. Was yours out of the old stash of derelicts from behind "Hanger 6?"

Remember: "there wouldn't be a minimum, if it wasn't good enough."