Progress Is Being Made On Restoration Of The Historic C-47

The team restoring the C-47 'That's All, Brother' has made significant progress on the project, and is hoping to have the airplane back in the air soon.

The airplane was the lead C-47 carrying paratroopers into Europe on D-Day. It was rescued shortly before being scrapped in 2015, and has been undergoing restoration ever since.

According to the Commemorative Air Force, which is undertaking the restoration, those who visited the airplane at her most recent public display this July at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin may have noticed that the control surfaces had been installed, the wiring inside the airplane was almost completed, and her cockpit was shaping up nicely with a number of the instruments overhauled and installed.

"Thanksgiving is a special time of year. For the That’s All, Brother restoration team, it is a time to reflect on the challenges the project has faced and a time to be thankful for your support which has allowed us to undertake this one-of-a-kind restoration. Through the dedication and commitment of our supporters, and the passion of our team, we are now within striking distance of the first flight," the team wrote on the website.

The team had hoped that the airplane would make its first flight in the fall of 2017, however, the commitment to authenticity and making sure the work is done right, means that the first flight date has been pushed back. It is now expected that the airplane will fly early in the New Year.

Thanks to the many donors who contributed to the June campaign aimed at supporting the engine overhauls, the engines are now completed, plumbed and installed on the airplane. The team is just a few short weeks away from running That’s All, Brother’s engines for the first time since this restoration started in 2015.

"We are on the home stretch at Basler Turbo Conversions, as the first phase of restoration ends with the first flight of the airplane. In the subsequent months, we will be working to complete the interior restoration with a team of dedicated volunteers in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The exterior will also be completed in the first half of 2018, with paint and coatings provided by Stits Polyfiber," the team wrote.

Arrangements are still being made for the engine run and, following the successful test, an announcement will be made regarding the first flight.

(Images provided with That's All Brother news release)

FMI: commemorativeairforce.org/root/aboutus/support-our-organization/thatsallbrother-2017