I’ve always loved planes and have frequented air shows since I was a kid. So I was all too giddy to look closer at this Boeing C-97G Angel of Deliverance and learn more about it’s history.

As a frequent visitor and explorer of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn NY, I discovered this old bird at after it had been rolled out of it’s deteriorating hanger which was to undergo roof repairs in 2015. I gained access several times to take photos.

The C-97 is a rare plane with only 1 or 2 which are still air worthy, as it was retired in 1978. It’s currently parked on National Park Service land operated by the Historic Aircraft Restoration Project, however, the this c-97G is not affiliated with HARP. You can learn more about the proposed project here.  The reality of this plane leaving it’s current position is unclear. Flight / maintenance crew and parts have become scarce over the last 40 years. 

Floyd Bennett Field was New York’s first municipal airport opening in 1931, then later in the 30’s became host to a naval air station and the world’s first police aviation unit with an NYPD fixed wing aircraft. The Navy closed operations in 1971 and transferred most of the land to the National Parks Service. Today the field is operated by the US Parks Service and hosts lots of recreational activities including Aviator sports complex where my kid was a gymnast, a massive community garden, which we participated in, bike racing and more. 

Learn more about the Boeing C-97G Angel of Deliverance

Information about the C-97 and the Boeing C-97G 52-2718 “Angel of Deliverance” is scattered far and wide online. I’ve pulled together some relevant info and links here. 

Most recent status update from the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation 

November 2016

C-97G GOAL IN DOUBT

There were two major goals we wanted to achieve in 2016. The first goal was a successful mission to Montana with our C-54 for the Berlin Airlift Veterans reunion, which we did accomplish. The second goal was to fly our beautiful and rare Boeing C-97G, the “Angel of Deliverance”, out of Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York, where it has been parked since May 10, 2002. While there still remains a chance we still could accomplish that goal, time is running out. Our C-97 is ready to fly right now. The delay is now waiting for approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to issue our flight crew waivers from the regulations since no one in the entire world is current in a C-97. We have the only certified to fly Boeing C-97 in the world. We are in the proverbial between a rock and a hard place in a situation as to which came first, the chicken or the egg. In our case, you can’t fly unless your current, but we have to fly in order to get current. The FAA is working on our situation now. In the meantime, the winter weather is setting in and soon the extreme cold will put a halt on flying until next spring. That is, unless there is a brief warm up for a few days that sometimes does happen. Remember the term “January Thaw”. I recall having grown up on our farm in western Pennsylvania, we would have a warm up about the third week in January where temperatures reached 50 and sometimes 60 degrees. We will keep everyone posted on this big event.

Learn more about the Boeing C-97G Angel of Deliverance here –> http://www.spiritoffreedom.org/

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YouTube Play list of N117GA

Registration:

Info replicated from www.warbirdregistry.org/c97registry/c97-522718.html

Serial #: 52-2718
Civil Registration: N117GA (Currently marked as USAF 559595)
Model(s): KC-97G, KC-97L, C-97G
Name: Angel Of Deliverence
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2004

History:

  • Manufactured by Boeing Aircraft Company, Seattle WA.
  • Delivered to USAF as 52-2718.
  • BOC: April 27, 1954.
  • SOC: July 1977
  • Assigned to 98th Air Refueling (Medium) Squadron (SAC), Lincoln AFB, NE, Apr. 1954.
  • Transferred to 96th Bombardment (M) Wing (SAC), Altus AFB, OK, Sep. 1954.
  • Deployments to Ernest Harmon AB, Newfoundland, Elmendorf AFB AK, and Mountain Home AFB ID.
  • Transferred to 96th Air Refueling (M) Squadron (SAC), Altus AFB, OK, Sep. 1957 .
  • Transferred to 97th air refueling (M) Squadron (SAC), Malmstrom AFB, MT, Jun. 1958.
  • Transferred to 407th Air Refueling Squadron (SAC), Malmstrom AFB, MT, Feb. 1961.
  • Transferred to 26th Air Refueling Squadron (SAC), Plattsburgh AFB, NY, Jul. 1961.
  • Transferred to 4108th Air Refueling Wing (SAC), Plattsburgh AFB, NY, Feb. 1962.
  • Transferred to 497th Air Refueling Wing (SAC), Plattsburgh AFB, NY, Jan. 1963.
  • Transferred to 128th Air Refueling Wing (ANG), Gen. Billy Mitchell Field, Milwaukee, WI, Aug. 1964.
  • Converted to KC-97L, Aug. 1965 .
  • Transferred to 151st air Refueling Group (ANG), Salt Lake City MAP, UT, Sep. 1972.
  • Deployments to Rhein Main AB, Frankfort, Germany, “Operation Creek Party”.
  • Delivered to Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center, Davis Monthan AFB AZ, Sep. 1976.
  • Civilian Owner, 1986.
  • Acquired at auction.
  • Converted to C-97G configuration.refueling equipment removed and cargo floors installed.
  • Seized by U.S. Marshal Service, 1988 – Sold at Auction.
  • Grace Aire Inc, Corpus Christi, TX, 1988.- Operated as a cargo transport for humanitarian missions to South America and to carry fish in Alaska.
  • Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, Farmingdale, NJ, April 22, 1996-2004.
  • Registered as N117GA.
  • Flown from Moses Lake, Washington to Greybull, Wyoming for inspection and restoration, Oct. 1998.
  • Aircraft painted in colors of YC-97A/45-59595, the sole C-97 used in the Berlin Airlift, 2000.
  • Flown from Greybull, Wyoming to Aberdeen, SD, July 2001.
  • Flown from Aberdeen SD to Millville, NJ, Nov. 2001.
  • Flown to Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY, May 2002.

Additional C-97 Photos & Info: