C-119 DAMAGED DURING FILMING

Air Classics, Jun 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

Aircraft repaired and on its way back home

Aerial filming involving the Hawkins & Powers Fairchild C-119 N15501 for the new Flight of the Phoenix film had been completed in Namibia and some final ground shots were being taken. The air work had gone great and according to pilot Bob West, "the film will have some spectacular footage." However, one of the film trucks ran into the bottom of the right wing and ripped open a long tear. A repair crew had to be flown in to put the wing back into airworthy condition. Once that was done, Bob and the crew headed back home and, as this was being written, the Box was winging its way across the Atlantic.