Work begins on plane preservations Published May 21, 2008 By Monte Miller 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- If you've driven past the flightline at Scott in the past few days you may have noticed one of the fixtures was missing for a few days. The C-141Starlifter C-model that has resided on the flightline behind Hangar one since 2006 took a field trip to Mid America Airport where preparations began for its static display behind the Air Mobility Command commander's house. A six-man crew from the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron from Robbins Air Force Base, Ga., was at Scott from May 5-16 preparing the C-model and a second B-model C-141 for their final resting-places. The team, which is a specialty crew that usually works on battle damaged aircraft, travels around the country doing these same jobs to prepare planes for permanent displays in museums and airparks. The team sent to Scott consisted of three sheet metal workers, two crew chiefs and an electrician. All members are also cross trained to do each task. In addition to replacing flight controls such as ailerons and elevators, the crew drained about 500 gallons of hydraulic fluids, engine oils and fuels. The jets were also safed for display by removing explosive squibs used in fire suppression and the batteries were also removed. The interiors of the aircraft were stripped of any unnecessary equipment, including radio, navigation, emergency equipment tools and even seats to lighten the load. "It's a lot of work to lighten the weight of an aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Michael Herbert, 375th Operation Support Squadron quality assurance technician and historical property custodian. "Every pound off of this plane is a good pound. Anything not hard bolted to this jet is gonna go. We've removed about a ton of just small arms armor." The reason for lightening the planes is to make it easier for their placement on stands for display. Less weight will also make it easier to tow the planes off the paved surfaces and into the display areas. Most of the items removed from the aircraft will be reused in some capacity and anything that is metal will be recycled. Sergeant Herbert said these are just the beginning of the restorations that will be needed before the planes are ready for display. Another major task will be bird proofing the aircraft, which he said is a monumental job because birds can and will build nests in even the smallest opening. After work was completed on the C-model last Thursday, it was towed back to the flightline where it will remain until the display site is ready. The timeline for that is still uncertain. Sergeant Herbert said the planes would most likely be moved into their display places before further restoration and painting in completed. "There are so many what ifs," Sergeant Herbert said. "We're still waiting on more planes (for the airpark). We'll probably put one in place and reevaluate the space." This is being done to limit the amount of accidental damage that may occur while moving and maneuvering the massive aircraft into place. The C-141 C model, built in 1967, landed at Scott in April of 2006 form Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. It boasts 22,187 flying hours, 26,816 landings and 8,125 full stops. The C-141 B model has an even richer legacy. Built in 1965, the plane played a vital role during the Vietnam War as part of the Hanoi Taxi airlifts of more than 300 prisoners of war. "That plane was scheduled to be scrapped," Sergeant Herbert said. "The Air Force history office stopped it. This plane is a true piece of American history." Although the restorations and preservations of the aircraft for the displays at Scott will be very labor intensive and expensive, Sergeant Herbert feels it is worth it to preserve the history, heritage and memories they evoke. "Just think about it," he said. "These planes were somebody's life. Somebody loved coming to work everyday and turning wrenches on these jets." The plane restoration is yet another Joint Total Force project with manpower and equipment being loaned from the 375th Logistics and Readiness Squadron, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron, Aerospace Ground Equipment and Mid-America Airport.