In well over 5,000 hours piloting the C-141 around the world, I found 15.6 hours in 60186 in my logbook in the 1980's when she was at Altus. Thanks for restoring this proud bird. The 'before' pictures broke my heart to see what a sad state she was in. You did a magnificent job and I cannot wait to see her if I get a chance to visit Marietta.
Like Joe, I flew the 141 for over 5500 hours all at Charleston AFB. Never flew this plane as it spent a great deal of its life at Altus, but had an interesting encounter. We were on a regular mission ops-stop through Lajes AB, Azores, and there was CincMac's plane, easily identifiable to 141 crewmen, as it and the backup 186 had a gold stripe dividing the gray and white fields. While flight planning in base ops, noticed Security police k-9 troops doing sweep of the building. Moments later, in walks Caspar Weinberger, SecDef at the time.I said, "howdy boss"! Must have been some big goings-on on the little island! Beautiful plane; beautifully restored! Thanks to all of y'all for your great effort and dedication in preserving this great plane! Played such a big role in our nation's history. And mine too!
Thanks for all the Hard Work to all who those involved with the restoration! I had no idea they had all been destroyed. I worked on them 1970 to 1974 at McGuire AFB in the docks & on the back line as a crew chief. I got out just before Vietnam ended and before they were stretched. I have lots of wonderful memories of that time of my life in the Air Force at McGuire! Bill in Tulsa ...
I did many jumps out of C-141s during my time in the 82nd Airborne. The shreak of the blast doors opening was cue to get ready to jump out into the darkness. Thank you for saving this bird.
I was an Air Terminal Operations officer at Yokota AB from '76 to '78. Loaded and unloaded a dozen of these planes every day. They were the real work horse of MAC at that time.
noticed the Wright-Patterson decal on the Tail. When I got to WP in 1983 there was a group flying ARIA ac and some of the 141s were involved in telemetry tracking for space shots long ago. That group eventually went to Edwards AFB just prior to arrivals of C-5 AC undergoing Glass Cockpit renovations. They were replaced by the 445 Air Lift WG a few years after I retired in"89. 445 uses the C-17 Acft for their mission from WP. Had good friends who flew Air Evac missions from downrange back to Ramstein during those years. Enjoyed a few AirEvac missions from Camh Rahn RVN to Clark and Yokota Air Evac Staging Areas. Loved the A/C. I remember also when a Palletized SAMCU (Self Actuated Medical Care Unit) system was built for use between Pacific units and CONUS for Very Seriously Injured and Burned personnel, used for direct long range flights. Just rolled up the ramp and secured/connected to the AC Power system. I made the mistake of asking why they were used on the AC. The Crew Chief answered that, since the plane occasionally lost power on trips, the SAMCU had power systems built in so that the SAMCU did not have to depend on the 141 for it's power. I guess he was just as confused as I was. Great for power loss on the Ground but . . . . We agreed the SAMCU could provide all it's own power, lasting all the way to the scene of the crash. sort of Morbid, I guess but the original answer made me go . . . ."huh?. . . .What? I was here when the Hanoi Taxi flew into WP for some of the POWs (Including Gen. Ed Meckenbier, a POW who flew the last flight around Dayton OH in a final salute and Farewell, landing at the Air Force Museum on Area B). the tail # was 660177 and the Gen taxied it to the revitalization hanger where he shut it down. OF NOTE: ON THE BULKHEAD, ON THE STARBOARD WALL, JUST BEHIND THE FLIGHT DECK, there was a piece of white poster board covered by plexiglass where all the members and POWs on the Hanoi mission signed it. the aircraft is on display now in the National Museum of the U S AIR FORCE, on Springfield Street, on the Area B part of the base, accessible thru the main entrance if you ever get the chance to visit, WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. I have not seen any Vietnam Veteran looking at that "roster" aboard that plane who did not tear up and, occasionally, break out crying.
Always loved the Starlifter, and the mass scrappings at AMARG shortly after retirement really broke my heart!! Thanks so much for restoring this one, an epic job well done!!!!!
Great job restoring this aircraft. I was one of a few flying crew chiefs (1967, 68 and 69) that flew the first two C141A’s out of Travis AFB to Viet Nam and back non stop except to refuel. We stayed with the bird in case it broke and few were “qualified” to work on a new aircraft. 8088 (The Golden Bear) and 8075 were the “ Lead the Force” aircraft. Was on several others also. Great Aircraft!!! I would love to work on some project like that. Dave Wiles.
The first time I saw a C-141 StarLifter it was at my first duty station at Norton AFB, California. It was the home of the 63rd MAW. Oh how I loved to watch them take off and land. I never forgot how those four engines sounded. I was there at Norton from 1980 to 1988. I even got to ride in one. I was a telephone linesmen with the 1835th EIS/AFCC. It broke my heart when they closed Norton in 1994. I hope one day they can get one to fly. Good video. I mess Norton and those StarLifters and the people who I meet that worked on them.
I grew up in Ca. near Travis AFB in the 70's and saw these in the sky as well as C-5's for what seemed like a million hours of my childhood. My father was a Flight Engineer on 141's. Then,.. there was always something in the air. Now they're long gone. Nice video!!!
I was serving as an 811XX Security Policeman assigned to ramp security at Altus AFB, OK. I flew out of that base for me new PCS transfer to the 13th MWSq at Clear AFB - with the final leg to that location of a C-130. Man, it was a rough landing on that postage stamp of a runway just outside of Anderson, AK. When I arrived it was in July. I was stunned when in November the sun set - for five months! Never wanted to return to that location again.
I was at Norton 67-70 63rd OMS I WAS CREW chief on 60208 the last year 69 & 70 Sat at the Flight engineers counsel refueled many and worked on this on this one many times. When it was still the A model. A lot of great memories on those birds. When I would work grave yard shift I would watch them leave at six in the morning on training Flights they would take off east over Mt. San Gorgonio into the sun was really a beautiful picture.
My HS girlfriend’s dad, Col Bill McDonald flew the 141 from Norton to Nam in the late 60s. I can still see them stacked in the sky at night with landing lights on - memories
Got to sit in the back going across the Atlantic to Moron AB in ‘96. Spent quite a bit of time fueling those at McChord before they were retired. Definitely some good memories associated with the Starlifter. Glad to see one taken care of so well!
I'm so happy this true icon of military transport is getting a lick n spit, so often in the UK we have failed to preserve our aviation history correctly disgusting considering how many wonderful designs disappear there are more than Spitfires out there that need saving. Keep up this outstanding work 🕊
3000+ hours to include the Saigon evacuation, 9401's nose gear ripping off when we landed at Rota one morning, Reforger, Ascension, Fridays at Benning, the Eagle, NAT tracks, and 2 weeks in Adana, Turkey trapped between stages, taking off from Barksdale with only 20k in fuel and getting cleared up to 10,000. And much much more.
In December of 1975, Starlifter 66-0186, on display at the Aviation History & Technology Center, landed at Dobbins Air Force Base to start testing for the stretch modification process. In the Spring of 1976, #66-0186 became the prototype “stretched” version of the aircraft, earning it the “Y” in its official designation. Following successful testing of the YC-141B, an additional 269 of the original 285 C-141As were converted to “B” models . The 443rd MAW was assigned to Altus AFB, my home town. How cool to see all this specialized hard work. My ex was a very proud and dedicated C-141 crew chief & instructor at Sheppard, Travis, Altus, and Edwards.
I was medevac out of Danang to Japan, then Alaska to Texas and finally to Naval Hospital in Philly on a 141. It was loaded 4 across and all the way from front to back save a few seats for medical folks. The crew was amazing. I recall the pilot came back to say hello to each guy on a stretcher. He discussed the route etc with us and it was so consoling as we were a bunch of grunts.
I was stationed at Altus AFB, Okla, as an avionics system technician. I worked on this aircraft stationed at Altus AFB from 1973 to 1976 with the 443 MAW. It was a training base for C-141 and C-5.
Nice job. Most people won’t understand what a mammoth undertaking it is to put one of these big birds back together. You were lucky to be able to recover all the little detail pieces for the interior,especially the cockpit. Amazing!
Well-done to all! I flew the C-141 at Travis from 1991 until they retired them in 1997, at which point I switched to the C-5. I always though the C-141 was more fun to fly-better, more varied missions, and great (if a bit heavy) handling. It was absolutely criminal when the Air Force made the decision to retire them, and even worse when they deliberately destroyed them at the boneyard to ensure nobody ever attempted to return them to flying status. That was the work of the C-17 mafia and the military-industrial complex. I will never forget visiting the boneyard in about 2003 and seeing row after row of C141s with the wings and tails brutally cut off the fuselages. Tragic. So to see one brought back like this is heartwarming!
I believe the main reason they retired them was the fact they hit their service life. Basically we wore them out. They had a lot of heavy use, and stretching them didn't help.
Nope. They had just through a comprehensive life extension program. The whole fleet got new wing boxes and strengthened window mounts. The airframes were good for another 20-30 years at least. The reason they shut them down early was because the C-17 was struggling in Congress and they were balking at buying as many as the AF wanted. The ‘solution’ to that was it prematurely retire the C-141 and artificially create a huge airlift shortage. Then congress stepped up and fully funded the C-17 program. Don’t get me started on that. The corruption we witnessed to propel the C-17 program forward was astounding.....
@576103... That seems to be the Airfarce's MO on all their aircraft programs. They want to do the same thing to the A-10 and they cut the Re-wing program so they had an excuse to retire more of them. The pentagon brass should all be dumped out over Syria and Afghanistan... I bet every one of them would be screaming for Warthogs for help!
I may have worked on that C141 when it was at 443rd MAW at Altus AFB in Altus Ok!!! Pretty neat to see what you all did. I was a sheet metal repairman back in 75 - 79 on C 141s and C5As
I use to be assigned to the 445th MAW at Norton AFB, CA when that base was open and flew and worked on many of the C-141B's from our base and from other bases as well. I enjoyed that airplane so much and enjoyed flying and working on them as they was better than the C-5 Galaxy's I worked on and flew on as well. You all turned that airplane back into the way it looked when it was on active duty and the way I remember it. Seeing this video bring back so many memories for me when I was flying on them and working on them when stationed at Norton AFB. Too bad that base was closed and the wing moved. I ended my career working on the C-130's at Little Rock AFB, AR and I hated them because of the milk stool which had to be used to rest the ramp on.
@@aurktman1106 Maybe I was wrong on the year but it was called Balls 32! Thanks for the reply though, I was assigned to it in the mid 1980's at Travis!
In the 1970's I was assigned to the 443 FMS, Altus AFB, OK. Worked on the C-141A Starlifters prior to the stretch program along with the C-5A Galaxies assigned to the base. Good to see this one being preserved.
I was an Air Cargo Specialist 60531/60551 at McGuire in 1971; pushed and pulled a LOT of 463L pallets on -141s, including pallet trains of gun tubes and rotor blades for Da Nang and Cam Ranh Bay. I loved those birds, except for the cramped space between a stacked pallet and the side walls in the cargo bays. Until I got to ride one from McGuire to Lajes Field, in the Azores - and found out why so many loadmasters ignored me unless I shouted at them. Talk about high-frequency whine...it's like a bitchy mother-in-Law in there!
I was on the Cincmac team and worked 186 at Altus AFB. Lot of hours buffing ring cowls Sad that 166 was stripped to bring this one back. 166 was primary and 186 was the backup bird
Beautiful restoration. I was a crew chief on the C-141B for the 437th MAW Charleston AFB SC in the early 1980s. The restoration mission is not complete until she is airborne. Make this bird fly again!
@Mark Hepworth If the engines have been disables, beg, borrow, steal, or rebuild four working engines to get this one of the few existing StarLifters flying again.
@Mark Hepworth Thank you for your interest and support of the C-141. I was a crew chief on that aircraft 1982-1984. Fortunate that I was able to fly on them a few times. The best to you and yours also.
Just wooooowwww!!!!! A fantastic job giving a fitting retirement to such a beautiful aeroplane.I'd like to see these in service again and get rid of those fugly modern replacements (yes I know it can't happen,but I can dream can't I?).I miss the days of the 1970s and 1980s with daily C141 and C5 flights over the South of England en-route to Germany and the regular 'London control MAC XXXXX' calls on the radio before being replaced with the current 'Reach' call signs.
A magnificent job was done by all. I went thru that airplane shortly after it arrived and was amazed at how stripped out it was. Now it is a real airplane once again...
I was 9 years of age and flew from McCord AFB, Washington to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska in one of those in 1969. Flying in the only plane I could remember that the seats faced aft towards the back of the plane. Pilots let me up in the cockpit while flying over the mountains in Alaska. Something I still treasure to this day being 61 years old now. Beautiful job guys restoring her !
Very nice. My father was an FE on A's at McChord in the 446th. He racked up over 2,500 hrs flying the yo-yo missions, SEA and Israel to name a few. I never did get to fly on one in my AF career. Missed out.
My dad flew one of the 1st 141's into McChord. I remember there was going to be an Officers Club party and they needed crab. The CO asked my dad if he'd grab a plane and fly to Alaska and get some and on his way they went. Apparently there's a place above the wing spar inside the plane that stays really cold and that's where they store the crab for the flight to McChord. On a sad note I saw the first C-141 burnt up at McChord when I was a kid. A fueling mishap, very sad it was my favorite plane growing up.
What an awesome plane. Must be breathtaking to see in flight. Bless all of those who build, repair, rebuild, restore, maintain and preserve things; You play on God's team.
I only see National Guard C-130's where I live but had the pleasure of seeing a C-141 while on a business trip to Norfolk in the 80's. I always thought they were cool and it was sad to see them retired.
A fantastic effort guys. Loved them when they passed through Prestwick when serving the base on the Holy Loch in the late 70s. Great lines and sound. Much classier than the C17
I remember this aircraft from when I was station at Altus in the 80's. My squadron (443rd OMS) had the crew chiefs for CINCMAC. As soon as I saw this aircraft I said "OMG, that's CINCMAC's aircraft!". Too bad that they couldn't find the comfort pallet and install it. I never saw it but the crew chiefs said that it was first class. I can't wait to visit and reunite with this historic aircraft.
Went thru FE school at Altus and flew the CINCMAC's bird on training flights with the complete comfort pallet on it. Like a hotel. Also I spent the past 6 years helping to restore this bird. Made the 3 trips to Scott AFB IL. to get the parts. Labor of love. Enjoy.
Also of note, this bird was at Charleston AFB SC when I was an FE there in the 20TH MAS. Checked my logs and did not have any time on this bird while it was an A model. We sent it to Lockheed in 1976 for the stretch program then it went to Altus, if my memory is correct.
I think that things like this should be made to ex servicemen to work on by there governments. Whether it is from WW2, Vietnam or other places. So they get together and restore them and talk about things they went through during wars and conflicts. Equipment they could work on can be from anyone of the services Air Force, Army, Navy and that.
A special 141 to find would be the one that brought back our Vietnam POWs. Many of the POWs had never seen a 141. What a great symbol of the days when there were still Americans proud of their country.
The C-141 that flew the first plane load of POWs out of Hanoi is 60177 which is on display at The National Museum of The United States Air Force in Dayton, OH.
I flew this aircraft many times through my many schools at Altus. As I recall being the prototype for the stretch, its fuselage plugs were different from the rest of the fleet. Great job on the restoration. It would be great to sit in the left seat seat and say “Starting 1, Starting 2, Starting 3, Starting 4,” and listen to the sound of the igniters in the headset and the pop of the starter button solenoid on the overhead console. Was 166 the CincMac’s aircraft?
166 was the CINCMAC aircraft. The last C-141 built. The forward plug was located at a different station than the rest of the fleet on 186 due to the fact that the Air Force did not want to pay the additional $1 million for Lockheed's proposed wing fairings and the location of the forward plug on the production B models was moved to a "production cut" location to simplify the process.
Had the privilege of going out on the roof of one of these beauties back in the early seventies, at Greenham common, UK, when I was in the ATC, no H&S bullsh!t then, just got on with it, great
Ha, ha! I was too. I was also surprised at the size of most of the bolts that fasten the wing. If I would have know that during my 5,000 hours on them, I think I would have been a little more nervous!
Medivac planes during the Vietnam war. From U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield, Thailand to Clark Airbase, Philippines every 2 weeks on a Wednesday morning.
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In well over 5,000 hours piloting the C-141 around the world, I found 15.6 hours in 60186 in my logbook in the 1980's when she was at Altus. Thanks for restoring this proud bird. The 'before' pictures broke my heart to see what a sad state she was in. You did a magnificent job and I cannot wait to see her if I get a chance to visit Marietta.
My dad was at Altus on 141's in the 70's. Retired in 1980. 😁😁😁
Thank you for your service sir
pro tip : you can watch series at flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching lots of of movies recently.
@Langston Franco definitely, been using flixzone for months myself :D
@Langston Franco Definitely, have been using flixzone for since december myself :D
Like Joe, I flew the 141 for over 5500 hours all at Charleston AFB. Never flew this plane as it spent a great deal of its life at Altus, but had an interesting encounter. We were on a regular mission ops-stop through Lajes AB, Azores, and there was CincMac's plane, easily identifiable to 141 crewmen, as it and the backup 186 had a gold stripe dividing the gray and white fields. While flight planning in base ops, noticed Security police k-9 troops doing sweep of the building. Moments later, in walks Caspar Weinberger, SecDef at the time.I said, "howdy boss"! Must have been some big goings-on on the little island!
Beautiful plane; beautifully restored! Thanks to all of y'all for your great effort and dedication in preserving this great plane! Played such a big role in our nation's history. And mine too!
Hi Joe and Bruce! Flew this beautiful bird on 2 tours at LTS. Those were the days…
C-141s brought me home twice from SEA. I love that beautiful bird. It is a part of my heart.
Yea some guys referred to it as a freedom bird
Nice Job! Checking my logs I flew several missions as F/E in that bird over the Pacific!
Thanks for all the Hard Work to all who those involved with the restoration! I had no idea they had all been destroyed.
I worked on them 1970 to 1974 at McGuire AFB in the docks & on the back line as a crew chief. I got out just before Vietnam ended and before they were stretched. I have lots of wonderful memories of that time of my life in the Air Force at McGuire!
Bill in Tulsa ...
I did many jumps out of C-141s during my time in the 82nd Airborne. The shreak of the blast doors opening was cue to get ready to jump out into the darkness. Thank you for saving this bird.
I was an Air Terminal Operations officer at Yokota AB from '76 to '78. Loaded and unloaded a dozen of these planes every day. They were the real work horse of MAC at that time.
noticed the Wright-Patterson decal on the Tail. When I got to WP in 1983 there was a group flying ARIA ac and some of the 141s were involved in telemetry tracking for space shots long ago. That group eventually went to Edwards AFB just prior to arrivals of C-5 AC undergoing Glass Cockpit renovations. They were replaced by the 445 Air Lift WG a few years after I retired in"89. 445 uses the C-17 Acft for their mission from WP. Had good friends who flew Air Evac missions from downrange back to Ramstein during those years. Enjoyed a few AirEvac missions from Camh Rahn RVN to Clark and Yokota Air Evac Staging Areas. Loved the A/C. I remember also when a Palletized SAMCU (Self Actuated Medical Care Unit) system was built for use between Pacific units and CONUS for Very Seriously Injured and Burned personnel, used for direct long range flights. Just rolled up the ramp and secured/connected to the AC Power system. I made the mistake of asking why they were used on the AC. The Crew Chief answered that, since the plane occasionally lost power on trips, the SAMCU had power systems built in so that the SAMCU did not have to depend on the 141 for it's power. I guess he was just as confused as I was. Great for power loss on the Ground but . . . . We agreed the SAMCU could provide all it's own power, lasting all the way to the scene of the crash. sort of Morbid, I guess but the original answer made me go . . . ."huh?. . . .What? I was here when the Hanoi Taxi flew into WP for some of the POWs (Including Gen. Ed Meckenbier, a POW who flew the last flight around Dayton OH in a final salute and Farewell, landing at the Air Force Museum on Area B). the tail # was 660177 and the Gen taxied it to the revitalization hanger where he shut it down. OF NOTE: ON THE BULKHEAD, ON THE STARBOARD WALL, JUST BEHIND THE FLIGHT DECK, there was a piece of white poster board covered by plexiglass where all the members and POWs on the Hanoi mission signed it. the aircraft is on display now in the National Museum of the U S AIR FORCE, on Springfield Street, on the Area B part of the base, accessible thru the main entrance if you ever get the chance to visit, WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. I have not seen any Vietnam Veteran looking at that "roster" aboard that plane who did not tear up and, occasionally, break out crying.
Sweet!! Another piece of our national heritage preserved. Thanks
So glad to see her after such a great restoration.
Thanks to everyone who helped to keep this bird around and saved from the scrapper..
Always loved the Starlifter, and the mass scrappings at AMARG shortly after retirement really broke my heart!! Thanks so much for restoring this one, an epic job well done!!!!!
Lovely work on the old girl. Currently spent 24 years on our Short Stirling and know what a labour of love these projects are
I had forgotten how narrow the C-141 was compared to the C-17. Glad to see it restored.
Great job restoring this aircraft. I was one of a few flying crew chiefs (1967, 68 and 69) that flew the first two C141A’s out of Travis AFB to Viet Nam and back non stop except to refuel. We stayed with the bird in case it broke and few were “qualified” to work on a new aircraft. 8088 (The Golden Bear) and 8075 were the “ Lead the Force” aircraft. Was on several others also. Great Aircraft!!! I would love to work on some project like that. Dave Wiles.
The first time I saw a C-141 StarLifter it was at my first duty station at Norton AFB, California. It was the home of the 63rd MAW. Oh how I loved to watch them take off and land. I never forgot how those four engines sounded. I was there at Norton from 1980 to 1988. I even got to ride in one. I was a telephone linesmen with the 1835th EIS/AFCC. It broke my heart when they closed Norton in 1994. I hope one day they can get one to fly. Good video. I mess Norton and those StarLifters and the people who I meet that worked on them.
I grew up in Ca. near Travis AFB in the 70's and saw these in the sky as well as C-5's for what seemed like a million hours of my childhood. My father was a Flight Engineer on 141's. Then,.. there was always something in the air. Now they're long gone. Nice video!!!
The best most reliable transport aircraft, EVER!!!!!!
I was serving as an 811XX Security Policeman assigned to ramp security at Altus AFB, OK. I flew out of that base for me new PCS transfer to the 13th MWSq at Clear AFB - with the final leg to that location of a C-130. Man, it was a rough landing on that postage stamp of a runway just outside of Anderson, AK. When I arrived it was in July. I was stunned when in November the sun set - for five months! Never wanted to return to that location again.
I was at Norton 67-70 63rd OMS I WAS CREW chief on 60208 the last year 69 & 70 Sat at the Flight engineers counsel refueled many and worked on this on this one many times. When it was still the A model. A lot of great memories on those birds. When I would work grave yard shift I would watch them leave at six in the morning on training Flights they would take off east over Mt. San Gorgonio into the sun was really a beautiful picture.
My HS girlfriend’s dad, Col Bill McDonald flew the 141 from Norton to Nam in the late 60s. I can still see them stacked in the sky at night with landing lights on - memories
@@ronragon4287 I enjoyed working on them. That was a good time for San Bernardino,
Got to sit in the back going across the Atlantic to Moron AB in ‘96. Spent quite a bit of time fueling those at McChord before they were retired. Definitely some good memories associated with the Starlifter. Glad to see one taken care of so well!
I'm so happy this true icon of military transport is getting a lick n spit, so often in the UK we have failed to preserve our aviation history correctly disgusting considering how many wonderful designs disappear there are more than Spitfires out there that need saving.
Keep up this outstanding work 🕊
3000+ hours to include the Saigon evacuation, 9401's nose gear ripping off when we landed at Rota one morning, Reforger, Ascension, Fridays at Benning, the Eagle, NAT tracks, and 2 weeks in Adana, Turkey trapped between stages, taking off from Barksdale with only 20k in fuel and getting cleared up to 10,000. And much much more.
In December of 1975, Starlifter 66-0186, on display at the Aviation History & Technology Center, landed at Dobbins Air Force Base to start testing for the stretch modification process. In the Spring of 1976, #66-0186 became the prototype “stretched” version of the aircraft, earning it the “Y” in its official designation. Following successful testing of the YC-141B, an additional 269 of the original 285 C-141As were converted to “B” models . The 443rd MAW was assigned to Altus AFB, my home town. How cool to see all this specialized hard work. My ex was a very proud and dedicated C-141 crew chief & instructor at Sheppard, Travis, Altus, and Edwards.
SO impressive! I wish she was airworthy...but what an achievement
I was medevac out of Danang to Japan, then Alaska to Texas and finally to Naval Hospital in Philly on a 141. It was loaded 4 across and all the way from front to back save a few seats for medical folks. The crew was amazing. I recall the pilot came back to say hello to each guy on a stretcher. He discussed the route etc with us and it was so consoling as we were a bunch of grunts.
I was stationed at Altus AFB, Okla, as an avionics system technician. I worked on this aircraft stationed at Altus AFB from 1973 to 1976 with the 443 MAW. It was a training base for C-141 and C-5.
Pretty darn cool video and results of a lot of hard work!
Fantastic! Brings back fond memories of being a "kid" in the AR shop in Charleston in the lates 70's.
GREAT times.
I was right down Remount Rd at the 792nd Radar Sqdn., 77 - 81.
Crew chief C-141B 437th OMS Charleston AFB SC 1982-1984.
I loved jumping out of the C-141, the blast deflector made it so easy. You just stepped off the platform and into the slip stream, so smooth.
Nice job. Most people won’t understand what a mammoth undertaking it is to put one of these big birds back together. You were lucky to be able to recover all the little detail pieces for the interior,especially the cockpit. Amazing!
That bunch includes some of the finest individuals I have had the pleasure to work with and know. Great job !
Absolutely gorgeous, the result of a ton and yrs of work. Looks like it could fly away.. 🙂🙂🙂🙂
Glad to see people are bringing history back out there again
Because that is what made what it is today
Well-done to all! I flew the C-141 at Travis from 1991 until they retired them in 1997, at which point I switched to the C-5. I always though the C-141 was more fun to fly-better, more varied missions, and great (if a bit heavy) handling. It was absolutely criminal when the Air Force made the decision to retire them, and even worse when they deliberately destroyed them at the boneyard to ensure nobody ever attempted to return them to flying status. That was the work of the C-17 mafia and the military-industrial complex.
I will never forget visiting the boneyard in about 2003 and seeing row after row of C141s with the wings and tails brutally cut off the fuselages. Tragic.
So to see one brought back like this is heartwarming!
I think that Travis and McCord received the C-141's from Norton AFB before it close in 1994.
I believe the main reason they retired them was the fact they hit their service life. Basically we wore them out. They had a lot of heavy use, and stretching them didn't help.
Nope. They had just through a comprehensive life extension program. The whole fleet got new wing boxes and strengthened window mounts. The airframes were good for another 20-30 years at least. The reason they shut them down early was because the C-17 was struggling in Congress and they were balking at buying as many as the AF wanted. The ‘solution’ to that was it prematurely retire the C-141 and artificially create a huge airlift shortage. Then congress stepped up and fully funded the C-17 program.
Don’t get me started on that. The corruption we witnessed to propel the C-17 program forward was astounding.....
@576103... That seems to be the Airfarce's MO on all their aircraft programs. They want to do the same thing to the A-10 and they cut the Re-wing program so they had an excuse to retire more of them. The pentagon brass should all be dumped out over Syria and Afghanistan... I bet every one of them would be screaming for Warthogs for help!
@@576103 to be fair, at least on paper the C-17 is a more capable type than the C-141
A helluva job well done! That was a massive undertaking but you saw it through.
I may have worked on that C141 when it was at 443rd MAW at Altus AFB in Altus Ok!!! Pretty neat to see what you all did. I was a sheet metal repairman back in 75 - 79 on C 141s and C5As
I use to be assigned to the 445th MAW at Norton AFB, CA when that base was open and flew and worked on many of the C-141B's from our base and from other bases as well. I enjoyed that airplane so much and enjoyed flying and working on them as they was better than the C-5 Galaxy's I worked on and flew on as well.
You all turned that airplane back into the way it looked when it was on active duty and the way I remember it. Seeing this video bring back so many memories for me when I was flying on them and working on them when stationed at Norton AFB. Too bad that base was closed and the wing moved. I ended my career working on the C-130's at Little Rock AFB, AR and I hated them because of the milk stool which had to be used to rest the ramp on.
That is so good. I was a 20 year old kid when the Air Force let me work on these. It was a dream !!!
Outstanding work and dedication to this awesome airlifter. Maybe someday it will fly again.
I love this restoration, I was assigned to 680032 at Travis as assistant crew chief in the mid 80's, love to know where she at now!
Production list shows that as a F-111. Was that it or are you sure it was a 68-0032?
@@aurktman1106 Yes it was, balls 32 as it was called brought back dead bodies from Guyana as I heard from higher ups!
@@hoolehuarayzed7694 closest one I can find is 67-0031. If it’s a C-141, there are a couple that are in museums, but all of the rest are scrapped.
@@aurktman1106 Maybe I was wrong on the year but it was called Balls 32! Thanks for the reply though, I was assigned to it in the mid 1980's at Travis!
It was still in the white and grey color, not camo, maybe got camo after I left!
Humble respect from France guys .
I wished a ex pilot could tell me how good it was to fly this beauty.
In the 1970's I was assigned to the 443 FMS, Altus AFB, OK. Worked on the C-141A Starlifters prior to the stretch program along with the C-5A Galaxies assigned to the base. Good to see this one being preserved.
Amazing restoration, particularly the cockpit!
I was an Air Cargo Specialist 60531/60551 at McGuire in 1971; pushed and pulled a LOT of 463L pallets on -141s, including pallet trains of gun tubes and rotor blades for Da Nang and Cam Ranh Bay. I loved those birds, except for the cramped space between a stacked pallet and the side walls in the cargo bays.
Until I got to ride one from McGuire to Lajes Field, in the Azores - and found out why so many loadmasters ignored me unless I shouted at them. Talk about high-frequency whine...it's like a bitchy mother-in-Law in there!
Flew in a 141 from Travis to Woomera Australia mid 70s with dad..in Air Force for 21yrs.😇🙏💚
I was on the Cincmac team and worked 186 at Altus AFB. Lot of hours buffing ring cowls Sad that 166 was stripped to bring this one back. 166 was primary and 186 was the backup bird
I don't forget the term cann bird!
Beautiful plane and many fond memories. Warms my heart. Fantastic effort and execution!
Great job restoring such a proud beautiful historical old bird like her!!!!
Beauridul bird.. Miss working these old girls after they were retired... I'll have to go and check this one out among the other items @ the museum
Beautiful restoration.
I was a crew chief on the C-141B for the 437th MAW Charleston AFB SC in the early 1980s.
The restoration mission is not complete until she is airborne.
Make this bird fly again!
@Mark Hepworth If the engines have been disables, beg, borrow, steal, or rebuild four working engines to get this one of the few existing StarLifters flying again.
@Mark Hepworth Thank you for your interest and support of the C-141.
I was a crew chief on that aircraft 1982-1984. Fortunate that I was able to fly on them a few times.
The best to you and yours also.
Just wooooowwww!!!!! A fantastic job giving a fitting retirement to such a beautiful aeroplane.I'd like to see these in service again and get rid of those fugly modern replacements (yes I know it can't happen,but I can dream can't I?).I miss the days of the 1970s and 1980s with daily C141 and C5 flights over the South of England en-route to Germany and the regular 'London control MAC XXXXX' calls on the radio before being replaced with the current 'Reach' call signs.
A magnificent job was done by all. I went thru that airplane shortly after it arrived and was amazed at how stripped out it was.
Now it is a real airplane once again...
WOW 😮. Brilliant effort. Thank you soooo much 👍🙂
I was 9 years of age and flew from McCord AFB, Washington to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska in one of those in 1969. Flying in the only plane I could remember that the seats faced aft towards the back of the plane. Pilots let me up in the cockpit while flying over the mountains in Alaska. Something I still treasure to this day being 61 years old now. Beautiful job guys restoring her !
Fantastic. Job well done! 🇺🇸
You've done a beautiful job, gentlemen. Thank you!
This was a magnificent presentation of this project - thoroughly enjoyed it - thanks.
Remember listening Mac 60186 on hf flying from Rammstein to Dover back in the day. Glad she's looking pretty again
Very nice. My father was an FE on A's at McChord in the 446th. He racked up over 2,500 hrs flying the yo-yo missions, SEA and Israel to name a few. I never did get to fly on one in my AF career. Missed out.
My dad flew one of the 1st 141's into McChord. I remember there was going to be an Officers Club party and they needed crab. The CO asked my dad if he'd grab a plane and fly to Alaska and get some and on his way they went.
Apparently there's a place above the wing spar inside the plane that stays really cold and that's where they store the crab for the flight to McChord.
On a sad note I saw the first C-141 burnt up at McChord when I was a kid. A fueling mishap, very sad it was my favorite plane growing up.
My last military flight was on a 141 out of the Azores……job well done to all those involved with this endeavor …..
I’ve seen that plane so many times. Great to see it restored
Beautiful. A good Job. I remember then this type of aircraft arrive in Aviano Air Base (Italy) near my town. Fantastic.
Been to Aviano numerous times on a C-141.
A good job. Excuse me Sir, he was a Pilot, Crew Chief or a Load Master?
Beautiful job! I remember seeing Starlifters coming in to CFB Namao in Edmonton, CA when I was much younger.
Cool, I will have to come by and see her next time I am on that side of town.
What an awesome plane. Must be breathtaking to see in flight.
Bless all of those who build, repair, rebuild, restore, maintain and preserve things; You play on God's team.
Amazing job !!!!
Wow! Outstanding work! Great to see a proud aircraft... being proud again. Congratulations on an outstanding job... Now. What's next boys?
Actually, we are looking, hopefully in the next couple months, to acquire an F-86D to put on display.
Outstanding job. Only a great passion could make it possible.
Congrats to all involved.
I only see National Guard C-130's where I live but had the pleasure of seeing a C-141 while on a business trip to Norfolk in the 80's. I always thought they were cool and it was sad to see them retired.
A fantastic effort guys. Loved them when they passed through Prestwick when serving the base on the Holy Loch in the late 70s. Great lines and sound. Much classier than the C17
I remember this aircraft from when I was station at Altus in the 80's. My squadron (443rd OMS) had the crew chiefs for CINCMAC. As soon as I saw this aircraft I said "OMG, that's CINCMAC's aircraft!". Too bad that they couldn't find the comfort pallet and install it. I never saw it but the crew chiefs said that it was first class. I can't wait to visit and reunite with this historic aircraft.
Went thru FE school at Altus and flew the CINCMAC's bird on training flights with the complete comfort pallet on it. Like a hotel. Also I spent the past 6 years helping to restore this bird. Made the 3 trips to Scott AFB IL. to get the parts. Labor of love. Enjoy.
Also of note, this bird was at Charleston AFB SC when I was an FE there in the 20TH MAS. Checked my logs and did not have any time on this bird while it was an A model. We sent it to Lockheed in 1976 for the stretch program then it went to Altus, if my memory is correct.
Great video! Fantastic to see her transformation.
Good job! 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏
Absolutely stunning!!
BRAVO!!!! AWESOME RESTORATION !!! 🤘😎🤘🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✈️✈️✈️
I think that things like this should be made to ex servicemen to work on by there governments.
Whether it is from WW2, Vietnam or other places.
So they get together and restore them and talk about things they went through during wars and conflicts.
Equipment they could work on can be from anyone of the services Air Force, Army, Navy and that.
Great job in this spectacular airplane,congratulations friends.
Great job! I hope to come see it sometime.
A special 141 to find would be the one that brought back our Vietnam POWs. Many of the POWs had never seen a 141. What a great symbol of the days when there were still Americans proud of their country.
The C-141 that flew the first plane load of POWs out of Hanoi is 60177 which is on display at The National Museum of The United States Air Force in Dayton, OH.
@@boonebarnes9299 and you can go inside of her and see the story of The Hanoi Taxi.
I used to work on transiant C141 when I was stationed at Hickam
Looking real good! :o)
Nicely done, men!
I flew this aircraft many times through my many schools at Altus. As I recall being the prototype for the stretch, its fuselage plugs were different from the rest of the fleet. Great job on the restoration. It would be great to sit in the left seat seat and say “Starting 1, Starting 2, Starting 3, Starting 4,” and listen to the sound of the igniters in the headset and the pop of the starter button solenoid on the overhead console. Was 166 the CincMac’s aircraft?
166 was the CINCMAC aircraft. The last C-141 built. The forward plug was located at a different station than the rest of the fleet on 186 due to the fact that the Air Force did not want to pay the additional $1 million for Lockheed's proposed wing fairings and the location of the forward plug on the production B models was moved to a "production cut" location to simplify the process.
Excellent work
Had the privilege of going out on the roof of one of these beauties back in the early seventies, at Greenham common, UK, when I was in the ATC, no H&S bullsh!t then, just got on with it, great
Nice one! Well done to all
Its never finished untill its airborne again and grasing the skys
Retired SEABEE. We stuffed a grader and a M35 in one and flew them to Spain.
I wish this could be done to a lot more of these old "birds".
Probably flew it in Altus as copilot, or for my AC upgrade, or for AR school.
Great job men, will she be airworthy? Will she fly again or be static? Either way, nice job saving a piece of history.
Static display
Jeeze, I remember when my father flew C-141A's out of Dover AFB in 1970-71!
I was surprised on how small the wing attach points are. I would have thought they would have been much larger.
Ha, ha! I was too. I was also surprised at the size of most of the bolts that fasten the wing. If I would have know that during my 5,000 hours on them, I think I would have been a little more nervous!
Flew in one of those when I was about 6 years old.
Medivac planes during the Vietnam war. From U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield, Thailand to Clark Airbase, Philippines every 2 weeks on a Wednesday morning.
I suspect there are more than a few of us with some time on that ol bird.
Red Cross on both sides of the tail for Medivac.
Great job guys, excuse my ignorance but are you restoring this to flight status or is it a static display aircraft?
Static display.
My dad retired in 1980. He was at Altus from 73 to 80. Crew chief on a 141. 😁😁😁
I was also a crew chief at Altus during the same time period, although I was just beginning my career.