C-47 'Geronimo' (for bmac62) by junge1
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Description
When I spotted this aircraft I reacted like metal shavings do to a magnet, I instantly changed course and headed toward it. While approaching three things went through my mind. a) What is it? b)Is it real? and c) What happened?
Here is its history from the sign seen on the right.
'In late 1942, this C-47DL rolled off the production line of the Douglas Aircraft factory in Long Beach, California. It was destined for Australian shores as part of the USA 5th Air Force and it arrived at Brisbane in January 1943. As is usual with most US war time aircraft, it was given a name, 'Geronimo'.
After service based in Mareeba and Brisbane in 1944, it was to become one of 12 other C-47s to be handed over by the US Air Force to the Commonwealth Government.
After a refit and over haul it was registered UH-AEO and entered service with Australian National Airways in March 1945. It was to fly with ANA for 13 months until handed over to the newly formed Trans Australian Airways. This was TAA's first registered aircraft and flew their inaugural flight between Melbourne and Adelaide in December 1946. As a passenger aircraft it was to last until 1956 when it was refitted for aerial survey work. In 1957 it was passed from TAA to East West Airlines. 'Geronimo' ended its lengthy service with East West in 1976 and it sat at Tamworth, NSW waiting for disposal. Late in 1978, 'Geronimo' was flown to Maitland, NSW for delivery to a DC-3s operator called TRASMAR. This was it's last flight as TRASMAR ceased operation in 1981.
An Australian film crew during 1983 repainted the aircraft in the war time dive drab. 'Geronimo' had a sex change and was now called 'Miss Fortune' and was carrying a film producers telephone number on its tail.
'Miss Fortune' was transported by two semi-trailers to Cairns to take part in a film called 'Sky Pirates'. In the film the pilot, John Hargraves, crashes on the Barrier Reef. After the (film) crash, it was ferried back to Cairns Wharf and was placed in Tonkin Metal Industries scrapyard, Cairns.
After stumbling onto 'Geronimo', now in 50 pieces, Heritage Homestead asked to buy a wing or the nose. Mr. Vic Tonkin kindly donated 'Geronimo' to us to preserve it for prosperity. No sooner said than done, three semi-trailers and two cranes later 'Geronimo' stands as a visual memorial to all those fortunate enough to visit Heritage Market.'
This picture was taken in Kuranda on 15 December 2011,
Sig...
Comments (51)
renecyberdoc
delightful `piece of history.hail geronimo.
auntietk
This is wonderful! It gives me a sense of having stumbled on a fabulous, forgotten piece of history deep in the jungle. Terrific image! To answer your question: Pipers Creek is 47.711927,-122.379434
jayfar
What a wonderful find and thanks for all the info, a great story.
junge1
This C-47 reminded me of the aircraft Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner stumbled on in the film 'Romancing the Stone'.
junge1
Thanks Tara. You are talking my talk lol!!!!!!!
bmac62
Hi Sig. Thanks for the dedi my friend. This old bird has quite a history. All along I thought the plane may have wound up here in pieces after some terrible mishap...but it seems this is simply where all of its parts finally came to rest. One way or the other, this makes a grand picture. What a history!!!
rocdan
WONDERFUL STILL LIFE , NOW THATS WHAT YOU CALL NATURAL BLENDING VERY WELL TAKEN
VEDES
Fantastic capture!!Bravo!!!!
neiwil
Another of those mixed feeling images....sad to see it come to this but great it has a good home and is there to be seen and to tell it's story.I'm sure you're 'metal shavings to a magnet' reaction will be felt by many, many more people...it would certainly grab me like that....thanks for a great share, and great dedi to our friend.
bugatti
nice ...
blinkings
Yep a classic military version of the iconic DC-3. Great find.
nefertiabet
Interessante Story zu dem Bild :-)
flaviok
Excelente narrativa e captura meu amigo, aplausos (5)
farmerC
Exellent.
alanwilliams
now thats something you dont come accross very often, well spotted and well captured, thanks for the interesting info.
Maxidyne
A great find indeed. After such a long and distinguished history it's sad that this should be it's fate. Still better this than being cut for scrap but shame it cant be salvaged. Thanks for this amazing post!
Faemike55
Great capture and very interesting history so cool
thecytron
Interesting color photo!
drifterlee
It looks spooky, as if it were a real plane crash!
Richardphotos
what an amazing history behind this C47. as a child I seen hundreds of them going into Tulsa for maintenance as well so many early jet bombers
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
Jean_C
Superb image, interesting story of Geronimo!
Isabelle711
Most interesting story and most excellent capture of history. :)))) Thank you ever so much for sharing my friend. :)))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :)))))
emmecielle
Interesting image and story! Excellent capture! :)
bazza
Interesting shot and history Sig, what a find, well done!!
nikolais
been there long...your story explains. well done, Sig! great image!
angora
mixed feelings indeed stunning pic tho!!!
Fidelity2
It is amazing. I thank you very much. 5+!
bobrgallegos
Wonderful capture and history of this old plane Sig!!
Crudelitas
Oh, Geronimo has experienced quite what ... Still, it makes me a little sad to see this machine so chopped ... But the greenery nestled on the plane, as if to give comfort. Beautiful photo!