Unusual addition to test pilots school

Air Classics, Sep 2003 by O'Leary, Michael

Sub-hunting Gooney Bird will become a flying classroom

When most of the world was boycotting South Africa due to that nation's apartheid government, the South African Air Force had to make due with what they had. However, their faithful Avro Shackleton maritime patrol bombers were coming to the end of their operational lifespan and a replacement was needed for this vital mission. The SAAF had modified many of its veteran C-47 Gooney Birds to turbine power and since the C-47 is just about indestructible, a decision was made to convert some of these aircraft to the mar-itime patrol mission.

The resulting aircraft were easily identifiable due to various "bumps" and radomes while the interior was fitted with stations for the equipment operators. The modified Gooney Bird performed its mission in an efficient manner.

The National Test Pilots School at Mojave Airport recently acquired one of these converted C-47s to add to its already extensive inventory of former military aircraft they utilize in their comprehensive training programs. The Gooney Bird will be flown in various programs and we will have a full report in an upcoming issue.