Conversion #57 in the Basler hangar undergoing some heavy maintenance TLC.

An unexpected visit from this jewel of aviation, with 79 years on its wings, still continues to soar through the skies. A spectacular aircraft.

Worth comparing this photo with my earlier photo ID249109 date of photo 21st February 2018.

Worth comparing this photo with my earlier photo ID249109 date of photo 21st February 2018

Geophysical survey aircraft with, obviously, a long history. Originally a 1944 C-47, she saw military and civil use, was converted to C-117 standard and even put on display in the 1970s, but brought back into air freight operations. Apart from the sensors at the nose, the 'Turbo Dak' was fitted here with a Magnetic Anomaly Detection boom at the tail.

Fitted with a tail magnetometer.

On the Rwy 12 approach after crossing the pond.

A very nice visitor! Initialy delivered to USAAF in May 1944 and assigned to 9th AF. Later used as civilian for Pioneer Airlines as N54729. Back to USAF inventory as C-117 C until 1952. Operated in 1971 by Indiana Department of Civil Defense as N11ND. Returned to USAF in 1973 as C-117C and placed on display at Vincennes University. Finally put in airworthy conditions again and converted in Basler BT-67 in 2012 and operated now by CGG Aviation for geophysical survey services to the oil gas and mineral.