G-AMWW ¦ BVA 21.09.1979
Douglas C-47B (c/n 16262/33010)
Skyways Cargo Airline
Beauvais-Tillé (BVA/LFOB)
21 September 1979
Built for the USAF as 44-76678 and later flying with the Royal Air Force, this C-47B was sold to the civil market in 1950, becoming G-AMWW with Lancashire Aircraft Corporation. In 1955 it was acquired by cargo operator Skyways, and used by subsidary Skyways Coach Air on coach-air operations, combining bus and air travel. In 1975 Skyways Cargo Airline was created, to take over the freight legacy of the original Skyways, and C-47B G-AMWW became part of the new airline.
As such, it was seen parked at Beauvais, awaiting its next cargo flight. Skyways operated a total of seven DC-3s on cargo services, and at that time they were considered the largest European operator of the DC-3.
After hitting financial troubles, all operations were halted in 1980, and G-AMWW was sold to the US, becoming N2685W with B Airways. By the late nineties, the aircraft had been converted by Basler to a BT-67 Turbo DC-3, and by December 2004 it was delivered to the Royal Thai Air Force as 46159. It is still active today, being assigned to Wing 46 at Phitsanulok, and doing cloud seeding, firefighting missions and showcasing its versatility at public events in Thailand.
G-AMWW ¦ BVA 21.09.1979
Douglas C-47B (c/n 16262/33010)
Skyways Cargo Airline
Beauvais-Tillé (BVA/LFOB)
21 September 1979
Built for the USAF as 44-76678 and later flying with the Royal Air Force, this C-47B was sold to the civil market in 1950, becoming G-AMWW with Lancashire Aircraft Corporation. In 1955 it was acquired by cargo operator Skyways, and used by subsidary Skyways Coach Air on coach-air operations, combining bus and air travel. In 1975 Skyways Cargo Airline was created, to take over the freight legacy of the original Skyways, and C-47B G-AMWW became part of the new airline.
As such, it was seen parked at Beauvais, awaiting its next cargo flight. Skyways operated a total of seven DC-3s on cargo services, and at that time they were considered the largest European operator of the DC-3.
After hitting financial troubles, all operations were halted in 1980, and G-AMWW was sold to the US, becoming N2685W with B Airways. By the late nineties, the aircraft had been converted by Basler to a BT-67 Turbo DC-3, and by December 2004 it was delivered to the Royal Thai Air Force as 46159. It is still active today, being assigned to Wing 46 at Phitsanulok, and doing cloud seeding, firefighting missions and showcasing its versatility at public events in Thailand.