Who We Are & Why We’re Doing it.

To preserve, protect and conserve C-54 Skymaster 56498 and to restore her to working order for the public benefit, and to demonstrate and display her to the public:

To advance the education of and inspire the current and future generations in aviation and engineering heritage, the significance of air transport in WWII, the Pacific Theatre, Korean and Vietnam conflicts and the Berlin Airlift, and civilian applications for humanitarian relief.
To advance the education of the current and future generations in design, engineering technologies, operation and maintenance processes and procedures, technical knowledge, and procedures by providing access to engineering demonstrations, practical activities and engineering apprenticeships.
Also, to equip and train Veterans who find themselves isolated and vulnerable by encouraging their participation in the restoration of the Skymaster. In this way, the C-54 Skymaster is living up to it’s legacy of bringing hope and relief going forward.

History of the Skymaster 56498.

The Douglas C-54 Skymaster has a rich history of saving lives and bringing hope.

1945
World War II

This aircraft was delivered to the U.S.N on the 20th May 1945 as R5D-3 with serial number 56498. Her first unit was VR-11, Naval Air Transport Squadron at on Guam. Her job was to repatriate wounded soldiers back to safety and take in a 1000 ltrs of blood and vital supplies every day to the battlefields of Iwo Jima to the islands of Japan. A true beacon of hope in a time of trouble. On the 2nd of February 1946 she transferred to VR-6 for a few months until she moved onto MAG-15, Marine Air Group 15, in April of 1946 based out of Hawaii. 56498 remained in the Pacific Theatre and in August 1947 moved to VMR-152, Marine Transport Squadron 152 at El Toro. From here she moved around with the squadron to Barbers Point, Corpus Christi and onto Iwakuni in Japan.
1948 - 9
Berlin Airlift

Our Douglas C-54 Skymaster did not take part in the airlift in 1948 but the squadron, VR-6 did send most of their aircraft to support the humanitarian efforts to save the people of Berlin. 56498 remained in the Pacific as the Communist threat from North Korea was imminent and she was needed there to support the US Navy’s efforts.

She is currently in the typical scheme of the Air Transport Command livery however as a tribute to those men and women who flew in the Berlin Airlift of 1948/9 known as Operation Vittles. Gail Halvorsen is one of those men – known affectionately as the Candy Bomber. Please take a look at the Candy Bomber video to find out the vital part ‘Hal’ played in ‘Little Vittles’ wherein in the true spirit of the C-54 Skymaster was displayed, touching so many young lives as a result. A true icon of hope in a dark time.
1950 - 53
The Korean War

At NAS Iwakuni ,VMR-152 joined up with VMR-253. From January 1952 through to June1953, the squadron logged over 11,000 flight hours, carried 30,170 passengers, and moved 5,213,383 lbs (2,364,751 kg) of cargo. The C-54 Skymaster’s role was so crucial.
1955 - 1975
The Vietnam War

Flying out of Agana, Guam, Iwakuni and Atsugi delivering supplies and much needed whole blood for the wounded of the Vietnam conflict. She operated in the Vietnam campaign up until 1972 flying between NAS Atsugi, Iwakuni in Japan, NAS Sangley Point, Cubi Point in the Philippines, Barbers Point, Hawaii, and El Toro, bringing back wounded soldiers and transporting vital supplies. Bringing life, help, and on-going relief in difficult times.
2002
A Comprehensive Restoration

A comprehensive restoration was carried out and the aircraft was flown to England to feature in a film about the Berlin Airlift. Unfortunately, the film was cancelled and she was stored at North Weald airfield north of London, where she has remained ever since.
2011
The Candy Bomber

On the 16th of May 2011, Rob Churchward (Save the Skymaster Trustee) met The Candy Bomber (Gail “Hal” Halvorsen) in the bar at the airport hotel in Frankfurt.
2018 - Present
C-54 Skymaster Trust

We don’t want her magic to end – with such a rich history of helping those who need it so desperately, The Douglas C-54 Skymaster wants to be empowered to reach out and make a difference in the present and to the future generations. We want her to embody hope and be a flying tribute to the Berlin Airlift and so much more.

1945
World War II

This aircraft was delivered to the U.S.N on the 20th May 1945 as R5D-3 with serial number 56498. Her first unit was VR-11, Naval Air Transport Squadron at on Guam. Her job was to repatriate wounded soldiers back to safety and take in a 1000 ltrs of blood and vital supplies every day to the battlefields of Iwo Jima to the islands of Japan. A true beacon of hope in a time of trouble. On the 2nd of February 1946 she transferred to VR-6 for a few months until she moved onto MAG-15, Marine Air Group 15, in April of 1946 based out of Hawaii. 56498 remained in the Pacific Theatre and in August 1947 moved to VMR-152, Marine Transport Squadron 152 at El Toro. From here she moved around with the squadron to Barbers Point, Corpus Christi and onto Iwakuni in Japan.
1948 - 9
Berlin Airlift

Our Douglas C-54 Skymaster did not take part in the airlift in 1948 but the squadron, VR-6 did send most of their aircraft to support the humanitarian efforts to save the people of Berlin. 56498 remained in the Pacific as the Communist threat from North Korea was imminent and she was needed there to support the US Navy’s efforts.

She is currently in the typical scheme of the Air Transport Command livery however as a tribute to those men and women who flew in the Berlin Airlift of 1948/9 known as Operation Vittles. Gail Halvorsen is one of those men – known affectionately as the Candy Bomber. Please take a look at the Candy Bomber video to find out the vital part ‘Hal’ played in ‘Little Vittles’ wherein in the true spirit of the C-54 Skymaster was displayed, touching so many young lives as a result. A true icon of hope in a dark time.
1950 - 53
The Korean War

At NAS Iwakuni ,VMR-152 joined up with VMR-253. From January 1952 through to June1953, the squadron logged over 11,000 flight hours, carried 30,170 passengers, and moved 5,213,383 lbs (2,364,751 kg) of cargo. The C-54 Skymaster’s role was so crucial.
1955 - 1975
The Vietnam War

Flying out of Agana, Guam, Iwakuni and Atsugi delivering supplies and much needed whole blood for the wounded of the Vietnam conflict. She operated in the Vietnam campaign up until 1972 flying between NAS Atsugi, Iwakuni in Japan, NAS Sangley Point, Cubi Point in the Philippines, Barbers Point, Hawaii, and El Toro, bringing back wounded soldiers and transporting vital supplies. Bringing life, help, and on-going relief in difficult times.
2002
A Comprehensive Restoration

A comprehensive restoration was carried out and the aircraft was flown to England to feature in a film about the Berlin Airlift. Unfortunately, the film was cancelled and she was stored at North Weald airfield north of London, where she has remained ever since.
2011
The Candy Bomber

On the 16th of May 2011, Rob Churchward (Save the Skymaster Trustee) met The Candy Bomber (Gail “Hal” Halvorsen) in the bar at the airport hotel in Frankfurt.
2018 - Present
C-54 Skymaster Trust

We don’t want her magic to end – with such a rich history of helping those who need it so desperately, The Douglas C-54 Skymaster wants to be empowered to reach out and make a difference in the present and to the future generations. We want her to embody hope and be a flying tribute to the Berlin Airlift and so much more.

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Get Involved.

There are various ways you can become a vital part of this exciting and fulfilling project . Simply by making a donation, buying merchandise or becoming a member and volunteering .All of these will make an immense difference of restoring this icon of hope to her former glory and will in the process, touch so many lives going forward.

DONATE NOW MERCHANDISE MEMBERSHIP VOLUNTEER

The Candy Bomber.

Gail “Hal” Halvorsen was a C-54 pilot who became known worldwide as the “Candy Bomber” during the Berlin Airlift in 1948. This is the touching story of one man’s efforts to bring a little joy to the children of a defeated enemy with two sticks of gum and candy tied to handkerchief parachutes.

Halvorsen’s simple act of kindness was the beginning of a mission that brought hope to the children of a blockaded West Berlin.

WATCH VIDEO

The video is courtesy of ABC news.

The women of the Skymaster.

We are so very proud of the women of the Skymaster. They saved thousands of lives, known as the Angels of the Skies caring for wounded troops that were saved from the battlefield. Whilst also there are the other women responsible for building of the actual Skymasters whilst still managing their busy households. The Skymaster 56498 salutes you and acknowledges your courage, bravery and loyalty.

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Our Sponsors:

Aeroshine – a local company who are supplying and assisting with the cleaning and polishing of the aircraft.

AERS – local aerospace company who are supplying critical parts for the aircraft and loan of ground equipment.

Dickies – Safety clothing company who have supplied us with High Visibility and safety wear for the team.

Consolidated – a USA based company who will be providing us with the necessary fabric to recover all the control surfaces.

Napier – a local lubricants manufacturer who are supplying us with essential lubricant for electronics and metals

Future Metals – an international company who are supplying sheet metal parts for the repairs to the aircraft.

Smiths Aerospace – a local aerospace company who will be overhauling vital components at a reduced cost.

Swire Charitable Trust – a local trust who donated funds to support the project.

Sager Construction – a local construction company that donated site office for storage purposes.

Tempest Aero – A USA based company who manufacture components and have donated these to the project.

PPG Industries – are leading manufacturers of chemicals and coatings and are supplying sealants and paints for the Skymaster project.

Historic & Classic Aircraft Sales Ltd – a local aerospace company who support the project with funding and logistics.

Our Partners:

You can give to us effortlessly when you use one of the below shopping channels and simply choose Save the Skymaster from the list of charities. We will receive the financial support at no extra cost to you! Or you are simply a text away from making a difference!

Amazon Smile

An easy and fun way to raise funds for Save the Skymaster is available every time you shop with Amazon. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to us every time you shop with smile.amazon.com at no extra cost to you.

Shop Now

Easy Fundraising

When you buy anything online we’ve registered Save the Skymaster with #easyfundraising, which means over 4,000 shops and sites will now donate to us for FREE every time you use #easyfundraising to shop with them. These donations will help SO MUCH, so please sign up to support us – it’s completely FREE.

Shop Now

Give as you Live

Install the @GiveasyouLive Donation Reminder on your laptop or desktop and you'll never forget to raise vital funds for us when you shop online. It's FREE to join and to raise!

Sign up today

TEXT GIVING

Giving up to any amount of £20 to the Skymaster is just a text away. So if you want to give £6 – on a regular basis, simply text SKYMASTER 6 to 70085 (Cost of your donation + two network messages). And once off simply text SKYMASTER 6 TO 70450 (Cost of your donation + one network message).

About

Who We Are & Why We’re Doing it.

History of the Skymaster 56498.

1945

1948 - 9

1950 - 53

1955 - 1975

2002

2011

2018 - Present