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Vintage Wings Takes on Challenge of Restoring C-53 Skytrooper

Discovered in a field in Beach City, Ohio, this DC-3/C-53 Skytrooper is being restored to its WWII glory by Vintage Wings. Vintage Wings
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Airline pilot Jason Capra discovered a historically significant, neglected WWII Douglas DC-3 (C-53 Skytrooper) in an Ohio field in 2014, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
  • He successfully negotiated the plane's purchase for $100,000, establishing the non-profit Vintage Wings with friends to raise funds and manage the restoration.
  • Dubbed "Beach City Baby," the aircraft is undergoing an extensive restoration to its WWII appearance, with significant progress made on rewiring, interior gutting, and engine/propeller overhaul.
  • Vintage Wings emphasizes engaging and educating younger volunteers in the hands-on restoration process, aiming to pass on aviation knowledge and ensure the preservation of warbirds for future generations.
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Had he not chosen Ohio’s back roads over the interstate on one fateful trip from Indiana to Pittsburgh in 2014, Vintage Wings might still just be Jason Capra’s childhood dream.

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