Rescue HC-97

HC-97G, tail number 522782, was built by Boeing in 1952 as a KC-97G-29-BO Stratofreighter (tanker) in 1952. In 1963, it was converted to a HC-97G, air rescue aircraft. It assigned to the 55th Air Rescue Squadron at Kindley AFB, Bermuda. This is were my father flew this airplane. The airplane remained at Kindley until 1966 when the 55th ARS converted to HC-130s.

Building a rescue aircraft is difficult as no one builds rescue version models. So I bought a standard cargo version of the C-97, 1/144 scale, and converted it. I had to research the paint scheme in order to paint it. Fortunately they now make decal paper you can run through a ink jet printer. Pictures of the rescue airplanes are a little scarce, even using Google.

Anyway, here it is. It didn't come out as well as I hoped, but better than I feared. I had to make the decals for the yellow stripe around the tail and the "Rescue" stripe across the vertical stabilizer, and of course the correct tail number. I would like to make one for Granpa Ed, but I don't know how I would get it to him. Props and landing gear are a little fragile.

HC-97G 52-2782, 55th ARS, Kindley AFB, Bermuda

I also did some work on the Cutty Sark today. Most of the deck stuff forward of the main mast has been installed. It is coming along slowly.