| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | NX88787 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Douglas DC-3 |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Douglas DC-3 (C-47 Skytrain/Dakota) |
| Aircraft Version: | Douglas C-47A Skytrain |
| C/n (msn): | 19639 |
| Operator Titles: | American Airlines |
| Aircraft Name: | Flagship Alpha |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Bristol - Fleetwings Field (closed) |
| Region / Country: | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Airport Codes: | None |
| Photo Date: | September 1946 |
| Photo from: | William Engle Collection (via Tim Martin) |
| Photo ID: | 683411 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Acquired by American Airlines from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation on 7 December 1945 and modified as a flying test bed for airborne radar research. The print has a Kaiser-Fleetwings rubber stamp dated 'SEP 20 1946' on the back. That plus the inclusion of the company's Chief Engineer (R.W. Ayer) in the photo suggests their involvement in providing the strange-looking cupola. On 8 August 1947 the aircraft was wrecked when it stalled into the East River during a single engine missed approach at LaGuardia/NY. This photo was added on 3 May 2024, and has since been viewed 362 times. |