We just returned from our trip to Colombia, where we found a most interesting scene of flying and derelict Douglas DC-3’s, a DC-6 and a PBY-5A Catalina.
Much of the local transport from the Llanos ( Plains) to the Amazon River region still relies on a dozen or more DC-3’s flying as combined passengers/ cargo transport.
Those WWII vintage planes fly to remote jungle settlements with muddy or gravel airstrips and dry riverbanks as landing places, that are never save havens for landings and take-offs, obviously, but yet, it seems no other plane can land here with that payload of 3 tons..DC-3 still rules out here, this is their last stand for commercial operations of the type
click on the small images below to view detailed photos and description
On the left you see a selection of the photo's that we have taken on our amazing journey through Colombia.
This part of Colombia was long time a no-go area for foreigners, due to the war on drugs and guerrilla activities. As it now seems to go better , we took the chance to go.
Outside Bogota , on the small airport of Villavicencio, you meet the militairy, roadblocks, sniffing dogs etc, but the place is buzzing with activities and the tiny transport cars run loads of goods to and from the DC-3 planes, that fly in and out. This is a paradise for the vintage aviation aficionado, when those Pratt & Whitney engines start up with that sweet sound of music, but the entourage is somewhat awkward, when you notice tourists are not seen here, but there is a conspicuous presence of US Military on Bogota Airport. It looks like an Airlift that brings in crop sprayers and Agent orange, so obviously the drug war is still raging in certain regions.
Primary target were the DC-3 Wingtips, to be recovered from the derelict hulks and hidden in hangars, before total decay and corrosion takes its toll.
A limited number was found OK for the conversion into the Avionart DC-3 Wingtip Desk, and will be taken back soonest to Europe via Bogota.
Also, we took along a famous aero engine, the Curtiss Wright Cyclone R-1820 9 cylinder, that was mounted on the Douglas DC-3/ C-47/ Dakota, but it also propelled the 4 engine legendary Bomber Boeing Flying Fortress B-17, the SBD Dauntless, the Avenger, the Tracker etc, and even in a converted air cooled version in the US Army WW II Heavy Tank M 6 and in the famous Sherman Tank.
The engine is a beautiful museum grade engine in rather original setup, with valve caps and ignition harness polished
optionally , the engine can be further elaborated by polishing of more parts as pushrod tubes, propeller etc
For more information on price and options, please contact us.
For more information on applications and history of this legendary aero engine, see the web search machines by typing in “Wright Cyclone R-1820”.
