US Navy Mcdonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain II (DC-9-32CF)

[jimmytechnologies]

just went for a drive down the street to Adelaide International Airport (YPAD) in South Australia and found 0048 sitting on the tarmac, no idea why its here.

[padrebill]

@jimmytechnologies I flew through Bangor Maine last month on the wa home from Kuwait. Saw 114 sitting there. I flew in both of these aircraft. VR-57 88-91, VR-58 91-96

[brhysr]

The C-9's (& DC-9's) were the most beautiful & best jet transports made (I am prejudiced!).

(Flew the C-9A's). They all had different personalities - some loved you, a very few hated you!

[JephN]

049 was the general favorite amongst we mechanics in 52. she seems to have fewer issues than the others. 048 was second best.

[grr915]

Now 048 is the only C-9 left with VR-52 textures

[JephN]

did the rest get switched to 737's yet? or decommissioning them?

[grr915]

Nope not that i know of We still got, 4 C-9s, and 4 c-130s from VR-64, and actually yesterday we had a Marine F/A-18 in

[grr915]

Now i know a little more about VR-52, We have 4 C-9s still, 0048,0049,0050,0051, 048 is the only C9 with the VR-52 textures, and JT on the tail the rest of them are blank c-9s, and seems 50, and 51 are always in for maintence, and 048 and maybe 049 are the only c-9s that have been running great, as for them switching to c-40s, well that might not happen for a while they will be the last unit to be switched over, which could be later then 2011

[JephN]

Outstanding info, thank you. I don't think 050 and 051 are always in for maintenance, though. If I remember correctly, they kept them in the hangar because they were slightly newer, and wanted to keep 'em looking better.

It's bad enough VR-52 has the oldest planes (not just the oldest DC-9's) in the navy, but to have to wait til 2011? The oldest jet will be 45 years old!

Do you know why they stripped the markings off of the other 3 planes?

[emerysmith]

The best markings were RW!

[emerysmith]

When VR-55, the Minutemen, was at NAS Alameda, they flew all the time. We had four flying all over the states and even to a WestPac in 1977. Being a E-5 Loadmaster was a great job!

[JephN]

I would have loved to be a loadmaster, but I couldn't even get 100% qualified as a plane captain. 52 had some issues that ultimately led to me requesting and getting out a month early. Long story.

[JephN]

VR-52, based out of NAS/JRB Willow Grove, PA :) nice video, what airport is this?

[iur7]

This is Lisbon,Portugal.

[grr915]

nice i was at Willow Grove Last night and saw Navy JT 048 doin some GCA work