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Douglas DC-3 (N33370)
* Not my photo * * Not my photo * (I was only 1 y/o when this was taken.)
Flashback (Seventy-one years ago back to 1951) ~~
A Mohawk Airlines DC-3, N33370, "Air Chief Cayuga," at an unknown airport in this very old photo taken in 1951.
This is another photo from the memorabilia collection of Mr. Larry Myers. To learn why I am posting this photo from Mr. Myers's collection, go to the previous picture in my folder. The full explanation is provided under that picture.
This particular DC-3 has an interesting history ....
1943 .... Came off the Douglas production line intended to be delivered to an airline; however, the US government took ownership and it went into the USAAF as 43-2026.
1944-45 .... To Pan American as NC33370.
1948 ..... To Robinson Airlines (which became Mohawk Airlines) as N33370 (seen above) and was named "Air Chief Cayuga.'
1958 ..... Reconfigured as a C-53 and reregistered as N410D. Remained in service with Mohawk.
Mohawk was bought by Allegheny in early 1970s. Prior to that, N410D (N33370) was WFU by Mohawk and was purchased by a private charter airline; Hansen Air.
8 Mar 64 ..... While on approach to Chicago transporting 28 members of a ski team, was inbound behind a TWA jet. Encountered vortex turbulence and crashed into a home. One pilot was fatally injured; the other pilot and all members of the ski team survived. N410D was w/o. The probable cause was determined to be the vortex turbulence but a contributing factor was the failure of the pilots to utilize anti-icing features which led to problems controlling the descending plane, esp when it encountered the vortex turbulence behind the TWA jet.
Comments
Although I tend to think this was taken at Utica Airport (N.Y.), there was no notation on the photo telling where it was actually snapped.
Periodically throughout the upcoming years, I will post some additional pictures from Mr. Myers's collection of Robinson Airlines / Mohawk Airlines / Empire Airlines photos.
Peter .... Thanx, Pete. (Wave) Geesh. It never even occurred to me to research back to airports prior to Mohawk's Utica based operation. I am presently doing some digging with a friend on another matter but when we finish with that, I will go back to see if there are any historical photos taken at Ithaca. Maybe this hangar will be shown. I very much appreciate the info. (Tip of my cap to you)
Bruce >>> I am certain that your recollections are the #1 reason why Larry Myers felt it was important to save the pics and etc. he had found while cleaning out the HQ offices of the (then) defunct Mohawk Airlines. Reading your Comment, I have a single photo, taken at BUF in '68, of a pilot walking toward me and away from a BAC-111. It is a B & W Kodak 620 film shot. Wouldn't it be the most amazing irony if, after all this time, it was your dad? Bruce, I don't post pics that primarily feature people here because I don't believe this gallery is meant to be a "Facebook / Selfie" style gallery, but I'd sure like to get this pic of the pilot to you. Even if it isn't your dad, he may recognize the guy. (My pic used to be on Larry's site but that is shut down now.) If you are perhaps interested, do not post an e/m addy here. Instead, e/m to [email protected] (The word Olde has an "e,' don't forget the "e.") Give me a day or two as starting today I am hosting an aviation photographer's visit to my area. I'll send that B & W to you. (Wave)
BIGDJB --- I've met aviation photogs (much younger than me, but then, just about everybody is) who claim they have always heard that Mohawk was a poor service airline. But every single person I've met or talked with who, as I did, actually flew on Mohawk has had nothing but praise and fond memories. Mohawk was an excellent regional service airline. (Now, on the other hand, Lake Central ...!#?#%?!#......). TY for commenting and I'm very happy you enjoyed this pic.
Once again thank you for what you're doing it is greatly appreciated.
David ... I just happened to be researching my MOW pics here in FA for a bit of info which is how I saw your Comment a few minutes ago. (I only post on FA now to earn the cash that is given to av photogs here for each posted pic that meets criteria.) But when I read your Comment, I first wanted you to know that I am happy your grandparents escaped injury, and then I wanted to make this offer....
In my huge (and I do mean huge) "filing cabinet" (actually, an 8 TB external storage drive) of aircraft photos and histories from the web, I have either six or seven or so pics of N410D imbedded in your grandparents home, a photo of the newspaper story about the crash, and at least one other picture of N410D when it was still N33370 (Mohawk fleetbird). As you might expect, the photos are from that day and are therefore small and rather poor quality - but - they ARE viewable. You are most welcome to have any of my files of this aircraft: the pic of it as a MOW bird, the newspaper story of the crash, and/or the handful of photos of its demise in your grandparent's home. Now, I suspect you may already have the same photos I have or perhaps you don't want anything I have. If so, no worries; I truly understand if you decide to pass up this offer. However, if you feel you'd like to received what I have in my files, just let me know by emailing to [email protected] . PLEASE do NOT reply here - as I said above, except to get the $$ "prize" I do not participate on FA very often anymore and would easily miss seeing your response. And let me reiterate, I don't have much and 90% of what I have is not HQ (hi quality). BUT everything IS still viewable or I wouldn't have stored it in my files. And don't forget to put the "e" on the word Olde in my addy. It's [email protected] . OK. that's it. But hey, since I'm here and Thanksgiving is just over two weeks away, I'm sending Happy Thanksgiving greetings to all who supported me for the 13 years I was a contributor to FA. All my Best Wishes to you folks (far too many to ID). (Wave) gcs
In regards to the Mohawk jet you flew on, Mohawk never flew DC-8s or DC-10s or any equipment that large, but they DID fly BAC-111s. In fact, Mohawk was the stateside launch customer for British Aircraft Corporation's 111s. Mohawk also began flying FH-227s and there was a plan in the works for them to buy 727s but the employee strike delayed the progression of that purchase and when the strike dragged on the final chapters of Mohawk's existence were written.
I'm not 100% certain, but I think I uploaded a photo of a Mohawk BAC-111 into my folder a few years back. I've got several B & Ws of them (including great closeup pics of the one that lost its nose gear as it was rolling along a Syracuse runway). I used to post my old pics from back in the 50s and 60s every so often here in the FA gallery until I received a message from a guy in FA saying that FA prefers to have just pics of present day aircraft and present day airlines. So I stopped posting any more oldies pics.
Anyway, I'm pleased you enjoyed this photo. It isn't one I took. I won't go into the story behind how I ended up posting this, but please be assured that a great guy named Larry Myers would have been thrilled to know you enjoyed this photo. If it wasn't for Larry, this photo would have been buried in a trash dump. (Thumbs up) (gcs)
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