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-Press Releases-
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 23, 2010 |
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Courtesy Aircraft Sales Participating in
The Last Time...Celebrating
the 75th Anniversary of the DC-3
Largest DC-3/ C-47 Formation Flight in
the World
Monday, July 26, 2010 |
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This summer, over 40 DC-3/ C-47
aircraft will participate in the last
largest formation flight in the world
at this year's EAA AirVenture
located at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This
historic day has been named The
Last Time. People from
all around the world will have an
opportunity to see this large assembly
of aircraft together for the last time.
Courtesy Aircraft Sales is proud
to announce that we will
be participating in this historic flight
with our DC-3, N1944H "Spirit of
Alaska".
Our goal is to educate people on
this important aircraft, once quoted by
Franklin D. Roosevelt as "The aircraft
that changed the world."
We are searching for people who have
flown or worked on our aircraft.
The “Spirit of Alaska” has not always
been called by that name. Throughout her
long life, this DC-3 has performed many
different duties and served many
people. Originally owned by the United
States Army, the DC-3 started its life
in 1945 as 45-1108, a C-47B. The next
year, it was delivered to the United
States Air Force. In March of 1946, it
was put in the care of the RFC,
Reconstruction Finance Corporation. This
corporation was formed to dispose of
government surplus materials. With only
35.5 hours, it was flown to Mineola, NY
where all military equipment was removed
and then repainted in civilian
colors. This was the end of her military
career. It was immediately sold to a
gentleman who wanted to start an
airline, but unfortunately, it never
took off.
In early 1946, Jack Losse, the Chief
Pilot for Columbia Broadcasting System
(CBS) found the DC-3. He jumped at the
opportunity to buy this military
aircraft. After it was purchased, he had
it converted to a company DC-3 by Aero
Trades, Inc. located in Long Island. The
DC-3 entered into civilian registration
as NC54542 and became the corporate
aircraft for CBS.
CBS sold the aircraft in 1948 with only
550 hours. The DC-3 was re-registered as
N280M and flew for Outboard and Marine
Manufacturing Company (OMC) of
Milwaukee, WI from December of 1966 to
March 1977. In 1977, OMC donated the
DC-3 to the Experimental Aircraft
Association (EAA) of Franklin, WI.
During this time, it was re-registered
again as N54542. The DC-3 flew
Headquarters personnel, EAA merchandise
and later gave scenic rides in Oshkosh,
WI. EAA later sold her to Mike Suzuki
of California Air Tours in Burbank,
CA. During this time, this aircraft
carried thousands of tourists on trips
to the Grand Canyon from Burbank, CA
piloted by Walter Brubaker and copilot
Captain Dan Ried. This operation ran
from 1989 to 1991.
In April of 1995, a Part 121 Airline,
Era Classic Airlines purchased the
aircraft and renamed her “Spirit of
Alaska.” With approximately 16,500
hours she began to fly sightseeing tours
in South-central Alaska. “Spirit of
Alaska’s” hostesses were outfitted in
1940’s attire all the way down to seamed
stockings and white gloves. Big Band and
swing music played while champagne was
served. Even 1940’s news headlines were
read over the PA system. After many
Alaskan adventures, in 2003 “Spirit of
Alaska” was sold and currently resides
in Rockford, IL. Currently, the “Spirit
of Alaska” has approximately 17,700
hours, and continues to be regularly
flown.
Click Here for our timeline on N1944H
Any pictures? Relics? Stories? If you
know anyone or you can help us on our
quest and has additional information on
our aircraft, please contact our office
at your earliest convenience.
Ownership and past N #s of N1944H
includes:
United States Air Force (45-1108)
Reconstruction Finance Corporation
Columbia Broadcasting System (NC54542)
Outboard and Marine Manufacturing
Company (N280M) Experimental Aircraft
Association (N54542)
California Air Tours and
Era Classic Airlines (N1944H) |
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Photos: Derek Ward |
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A little history on
THE DC-3
The Grand Old Lady of Aviation
During the time Franklin Delano
Roosevelt was serving his first term as
President of the United States,
corporate officials of the Douglas
Corporation in Long Beach, California
were diligently working on an airplane
that would years later be hailed as “the
airplane that changed the world.”
Time has
proven how truly successful that effort
was with the production of the immortal
DC-3. In the U.S., 10,926 DC-3’s were
built by Douglas – over 2,000 of which
are still flying strong today.
American
Airlines was the first commercial
operator to utilize the DC-3, in 1936.
Soon Pan Am and other airlines were
pioneering routes in the U.S. as well as
Canada and Alaska using this sturdy
workhorse, which can land safely on
beaches and unimproved strips as well as
modern airports.
The DC-3,
also known as the C-47 went to war in
1941 serving all allied nations. Many
seemingly impossible missions were
accomplished with the flexible DC-3. The
venerable Grand Old Lady was the first
airplane to land at the North Pole and
the first to land at the South Pole.
Once a
member of the 8th Air Force,
this Grand Old Lady more than likely
took part in D-Day operations with a
Troop Carrier Squadron in WWII. Whether
saving Guadalcanal during the bleakest
days of the war or carrying troops for
history’s greatest invasions, the
DC-3/C-47 has been an important link to
freedom.
An impressive tribute to this airplane
was made when Dwight D. Eisenhower said,
“The three things that helped win World
War II were the jeep, the bazooka, and
the DC-3.” |
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EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, March 2010
Issue
Click Here to read "THE T-28, INSIDE THIS WARBIRD WORKHORSE"
by
Jim Busha
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 PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2010
Wings of
History
A TF-51 Mustang Finds a New Home
After a
devastating hurricane, a new addition to a museum's
aircraft collection is made.
Rockford,
IL - Courtesy
Aircraft Sales today
announced
a very special transaction with the Lone Star Flight Museum. In 2008, the
Lone Star Flight Museum
located in Galveston, Texas, sustained massive damage due to Hurricane Ike.
Extreme efforts were made to save the aircraft from harms way. The
aircraft unable to fly out in time received major damage and many of
the museum's exhibits were destroyed.
After months of cleaning debris, with the help of local businesses, the
United States Navy and kind donations, significant progress has been made in
restoring the museum back to its original condition. The museum re-opened
for business in the beginning of 2009.
Because of the extensive damage to
Lone Star's
aircraft collection,
Courtesy Aircraft Sales
was asked to help President Larry Gregory, find new warbirds to replace
those that were lost. At the end of 2009, NL415ID, a TF-51 Mustang, found a
new home in Galveston, Texas. North American Mustangs are universally known
as one of the best aircraft fighters; They significantly helped change the
course of WWII because of their excellent performance and long-range
capabilities. This specific Mustang is a "TF" version, which are much more
rare than the common P-51D Mustang.
The Mustang is scheduled to be used in their Flight Experience Program.
This program allows enthusiasts to experience first hand the thrill of
WWII aircraft in flight. Aircraft in the Flight Experience Program
include a B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-25 Mitchell, a T-6 Texan, a PT-17
Stearman and now, the museum's new TF-51 Mustang.
Courtesy Aircraft Sales participation
with the
Lone Star Flight Museum
and Robert Waltrip, Founder of Lone Star Museum, goes back many years.
Courtesy Aircraft assisted Mr. Waltrip and the museum with a number of
transactions including a Harvard MK IV, a Douglas A-20G, a Grumman FM-2,
a Grumman F7F-3 and a Lockheed P-38L (Pictured Above).
About Courtesy
Aircraft Sales
Courtesy Aircraft was founded in 1957 as a new Cessna aircraft
dealership. As years past and business continued to prosper, a new market
began to emerge including ex-military trainers, fighters and bombers also
known as warbirds.
With the help of
President Mark Clark's strong aviation background and years of sales
experience, Courtesy Aircraft has sold over 3,000 aircraft all around the
world. Courtesy Aircraft assists their customers with the aircraft
ownership process from start to finish. This includes financing, insurance,
training and checkouts as well as ferry and container delivery services
worldwide.
With an impressive website for all aviation enthusiasts, with an average of
2,500 sessions and 97,000 hits per day, www.courtesyaircraft.com
has become one of the most popular aviation websites in the world. For
further information on Courtesy Aircraft Sales or to view a complete
inventory of warbird and civilian aircraft, visit our wesbite today!
For more
information, contact:
Mark Clark (800) 426-8783
President (815) 229-5112
Courtesy Aircraft Sales
sales@courtesyaircraft.com
5233 Falcon Road
Rockford, IL 61109 USA
Darcy Kaapke (800)
426-8783
Marketing Director (815) 229-5112
Courtesy Aircraft Sales darcy@courtesyaircraft.com |
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Courtesy
Aircraft Celebrating Notable Sales Milestones: WARBIRDS |
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Over
the past 50 years, Courtesy Aircraft Sales has earned the reputation of being known as the
World Leader in Warbird Sales. Recently two major milestones have been surpassed with
Courtesy Aircraft Sales now having sold 100 North American AT-6s (also known as SNJs or
Harvards) and 30 North American P-51 Mustangs in the past decade.
Considering
the relative rarity of these ex-military aircraft, this is one accomplishment that comes
far and few between. For example, today there are approximately 350 North American
AT-6s that are airworthy. Courtesy Aircraft has sold approximately 30% of all
airworthy AT-6 aircraft- and not all have been on the market. Courtesy Aircraft has
sold more North American aircraft than any other company besides North American Aviation
itself.
Mark
Clark, President of Courtesy Aircraft states, “It is a pleasure to be part of the
history of these aircraft; I continue to be impressed with the enthusiasm shown by the
public for these symbols of freedom.”
To
view list of North American AT-6s Sold
http://courtesyaircraft.com/Current Inventory/T-6 100 Aircraft
Sold.htm
To view list of North American P-51s Sold
http://courtesyaircraft.com/Current Inventory/P-51
30 Sold.htm
CLICK HERE For additional information on the history and
specifications of the North American AT-6
CLICK HERE For additional information on
the history and specifications of the North American P-51
About
Courtesy Aircraft Sales
Courtesy
Aircraft was founded in 1957 as a new Cessna aircraft dealership. As years past and
business continued to prosper, a new market began to emerge including ex-military
trainers, fighters and bombers also known as warbirds.
With
the help of President Mark Clark’s strong aviation background and years of sales
experience, Courtesy Aircraft has sold over 3,000 aircraft all around the world.
Courtesy
Aircraft assists their customers with the aircraft ownership process from start to
finish. This includes financing, insurance, training and checkouts as well as ferry
and container delivery services worldwide.
With an
impressive website for all aviation enthusiasts, Courtesy Aircraft also recently extended
their aircraft profiles page with over 20 additional aircraft specifications. For
further information on Courtesy Aircraft Sales or to view a complete inventory of warbird
and civilian aircraft, visit www.courtesyaircraft.com. |
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For more
information, contact:
Mark
Clark
(800) 426-8783
President (815)
229-5112
Courtesy Aircraft
Sales
sales@courtesyaircraft.com
5233 Falcon
Road
Rockford, IL 61109 USA Darcy
Kaapke
(800) 426-8783
Marketing
Director
(815) 229-5112
Courtesy Aircraft
Sales darcy@courtesyaircraft.com |
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For
Immediate Release:
November 20,
2009 |
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Photo: Paul
Bowen
N151TH
P-51D
Sold 2007 |
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Photo:
Doug Fisher
N212TC
SNJ-5
Sold 2008 |
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N3751D
P-51D
Sold 2006 |
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N515SA
AT-6D
Sold 2009 |
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N41749
P-51D
Sold 2004 |
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N29940
AT-6D
Sold 2003 |
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July 29, 2009
SEE ARTICLE
"WANT TO BUY A WARBIRD?" EAA AIRVENTURE TODAY BY FREDERICK A. JOHNSEN
Interview with Mark Clark
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For Immediate Release April 25, 2006
DOUGLAS A-20G "HAVOC" OFFERED ON THE MARKET
Courtesy Aircraft has been appointed exclusive sales agent for the rare
Douglas A-20G "Havoc", N3WF, the ONLY flyable A-20G currently in the
world. Once owned by Paul Mantz, the famous pre-World War II race pilot and movie flying
daredevil and believed to have been flown by Howard Hughes, this is a rare, historical
offering.
The A-20G joins the market with a rare and prestine Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat and a grumman
FM-2 Wildcat, each part of a major aviation collection since 1991.
Courtesy Aircraft Sales, established in 1957, has earned the recognition
as The World Leader in Warbird Sales. Courtesy has sold over 220 Warbirds since
2000 including the Beoing B-17 Fuddy Duddy, Lockheed P-38L Putt Putt Maru,
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair Marines Dream as well as 18 North American P-51 Mustangs.
Click here for complete specs and photos N3WF Douglas A-20G "Havoc"
_________________
To learn more, contact:
Mark Clark, President (800)
426-8783
5233 Falcon Road
(815)
229-5112
Rockford, IL 61109 USA sales@courtesyaircraft.com
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For Immediate Release November 1, 2005
Queen of the Skies
Looks to Continue Historical, Educational Mission
Courtesy
Aircraft (Rockford, IL) announces the
availability of the rare and historic Fuddy Duddy,
one of less than 10 flying B-17’s in the world. The famed B-17 is currently owned by
the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Elmira, NY.
"The focus and the efforts of the Museum are changing,
and the B-17 does not really fit the new model,” states Mark Clark, President of
Courtesy Aircraft.
On contracted tour with
the EAA, Fuddy Duddy has visited more than 50
cities annually, flying in excess of 300 hours and over 500 missions. More than 20,000
people have toured the Flying Fortress on the ground. Through advance and event coverage, Fuddy Duddy has logged nearly 8 million measured
newspaper impressions plus an estimated 20 million broadcast media impressions.
A secondary
benefit of these exhibitions has been substantial membership growth as well as an increase
in the EAA’s volunteer base, with approximately 31,800 volunteer hours contributed.
In praising the Fuddy Duddy's impact, the EAA
said, "The B-17 is by a considerable margin the most significant aircraft outreach
program offered nationally."
“Ideally,
the museum will find a corporate sponsor or sponsors that will underwrite some or all of
the B-17's operating expenses so the museum can make it available to people who might not
otherwise be able to afford to fly in it," said Wings of Eagles Executive Director
Mike Hall. “If a sponsorship deal can't be worked out, selling the craft is a
possibility,” he said.
The museum has entered into a
contract with Courtesy Aircraft to explore options on the aircraft. “Whether we
secure a sponsor(s) or buyer, the museum is very interested in someone who will continue
the educational and historic operation of the aircraft," said Mark Clark, President
of Courtesy Aircraft Sales. "They contracted with us to
look at various options. Finding a national sponsor is one; finding someone to buy it and
donate it back, or sell the airplane, are the others," Clark said.
"It just depends on which one is the most viable option for the museum.
"The thrust is to have the airplane continue to tell its history and
inspirational story," he said. "A lot of museums have an interest in the
airplane.”
"It's a fantastic resource. These airplanes have touched everybody."
For more information, contact:
Mark Clark
Courtesy Aircraft, Inc.
President
(800) 426-8783
sales@courtesyaircraft.com
(815) 229-5112
5233 Falcon
Road
Rockford, IL 61109 USA |
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SEE
ARTICLE ABOUT MARK CLARK AND COURTESY AIRCRAFT IN NORTHWEST QUARTERLY MAGAZINE
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SEE ARTICLE ABOUT COURTESY AIRCRAFT IN EAA WARBIRDS MAGAZINE
(requires Adobe reader or Acrobat -click link below to view article)PAGE 1
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
PAGE 4
PAGE 5
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SEE
ARTICLE ABOUT COURTESY AIRCRAFT IN AIRPORT BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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PRESTIGIOUS AIRCRAFT COLLECTION NOW AVAILABLE
THROUGH COURTESY AIRCRAFT SALES.
Rockford, IL -- Courtesy Aircraft Sales has
been commissioned to sell over 20 rare, vintage and one-of-a-kind warbird and civilian
aircraft. This private collection only recently became available and consists of flyable
aircraft in excellent condition and some restoration projects. A particular project of importance and value is the availability of
a rare North American F-82E Twin Mustang fighter. Significant professional
restoration work has already been completed including wings and the engines. This airplane
is one of only two in civilian ownership. "We’re
delighted we’ve been chosen to facilitate the sales of these fine airplanes,"
commented Mark Clark, President of Courtesy Aircraft Sales. "Each plane represents a
significant piece of aviation history and contributed to the freedom we enjoy today."
Courtesy Aircraft Sales assists with the sale of
collections of all sizes as well as individual purchases of warbird or civilian aircraft.
For a complete inventory listing, visit Courtesy Aircraft Sales on the Internet at www.courtesyaircraft.com.
Courtesy Aircraft Sales is one of the most respected aircraft dealers in the U.S., having
sold more than 3,000 civilian and warbird aircraft since 1957. To find out more about
buying or selling an aircraft, contact Mark Clark or John Kraman at Courtesy Aircraft
Sales, 5233 Falcon Road, Rockford, IL 61109; 800/426-8783; FAX: 815/229-1815; www.courtesyaircraft.com.
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