| "AN OLD FRIEND"
To the members of the United States Air Force Drum & Bugle Corps and Pipe Band,
the
Fairchild C-119 was hardly an "old friend". Although the Corps was
accustomed to flying on older aircraft, and invariably piston engine
aircraft often of WW II vintage, there was none which brought forth fear
and loathing as did the Fairchild C-119, or "Flying Boxcar."
No doubt much of the sentiment toward the C-119 was a result of the
tragic crash in March 1954, of one of these planes which killed four
members of the Corps. Having returned from Maxwell Air Force Base aboard
several C-119s, these four Corps members, Greg Baldassaro, John Valente, Paul Springer
and national champion snare drummer, Bob Strauss, had remained aboard
the plane as it left Bolling AFB on its return to Westover Field in
Massachusetts. It was their intent to fly with the plane, visit their
homes for the weekend, then catch a "hop" back to Bolling.
Unfortunately, they were never to reach home, as the plane crashed in Maryland shortly after takeoff, killing all aboard. If there was
uneasiness about this aircraft before, the crash created additional
trepidation for those who were to fly aboard it thereafter.
Anyone who ever sat inside a C-119 awaiting takeoff must remember both
the clamor and the darkness. The noise was such that talk was difficult
if not impossible; the windows were located high above the level of the
canvas seats so that the only thing visible was the tail boom on the
opposite side, which also effectively blocked much of the light in the
cabin. At the moment of takeoff, the pilot, his foot upon the brakes,
revved the engines, the plane a raging bull straining to begin its
takeoff roll. When the noise seemed intolerable, the engines popping and
screaming, the brakes were released, and thus began another journey into
the unknown.
Although there was but one fatal crash involving the C-119, there were
other adventures aboard this aircraft which increased the ill feelings
toward it. Not least among these was the incident aboard a C-119 as it
departed Nouasseur AFB in Morocco for Toul-Roussie AFB in Nancy, France
in July of 1956. Carrying about twenty Corps members and all of the
Corps' baggage and equipment, this aircraft soared into the morning sky
as only a C-119 could do. About twenty minutes into the flight, while
still climbing, there was a tremendous explosion from the left engine,
which was immediately rendered useless even before being feathered.
Those aboard, still wearing their parachutes, were ordered to tighten
down and line up for immediate departure from the aircraft. All stood,
awaiting the ringing of the bell which would signal time for bail out.
That bell never rang, and the pilot somehow skillfully managed to get
the aircraft safely on the ground in Casablanca, a rather wondrous feat
given the
C-119's reputation for flying with difficulty when disabled. When the
plane finally rolled to a stop, its brakes smoking from overuse, the
props not being able to reverse and slow the roll out, the Airmen
exiting the plane were greeted by Moroccans with hoses, squirting water
on the overheated brakes.
The next day a replacement aircraft, another C-119, took the reluctant
Corps members and their cargo on to France Of course, the reputation of
this aircraft was to become all the more notorious after this incident.
There were numerous other incidents aboard this aircraft. Every Corps
member could add to these tales. However, the picture is clear:......an "Old
Friend" indeed! Bob Zarfoss - 08 Feb 2000
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