By Wayne Bailey
November 2009

DO SECOND MARRIAGES WORK?

Well this one did, but not without some good planning, heavy lifting and much discussion. The major cause for concern was the fact that the first of the participants started life in Oakland California in 1944, and came with a well documented history, while the second part has an unknown origin and a cloudy, busy, and sometimes shady past. But thanks to good preparation and planning it all came together as everyone hoped it would.

We are of course talking about the on going restoration project that involves DC3/DAK/C47 Number 665, that is taking place in #10 hangar.

Because of terminal damage to the original centre section, which holds the engines and main landing gear assembly, a replacement was found by G.M.A.M. Curator Bryan Nelson and other museum staff. Thanks to Joe McBryan of Buffalo Airways, who still fly many radial engine aircraft all over the N.W.T. we were able to acquire another centre section and on Monday Sept.21st, the two components were happily married.

Once again the staff of the Mobil Equipment section, notably MCPL Brewer,MCPL Windfield and Cpl Porter, brought the right equipment and expertise to the party, and as the pictures will show, the union has been completed. But as all good marriages go, there is still lots of work to be done before we can call it completed.

Stay tuned as much more work is needed before #665 will become a static display at the Museum’s air park. There it will join the Lancaster, Neptune, Argus and T33.

Additional volunteers on the Dak and the many other projects taking place at the museum are always welcomed and information is available at the museum. Winter schedule [Sept to May] Tues to Sat,10:00 am-4:00pm.

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