Betsy’s Story
The Plane“Betsy's Biscuit Bomber”
A WWII C-47 built in Oklahoma City by Douglas Aircraft, our C-47 serves as an historical and educational resource. With less than 10,000 hours, she is an original and well-preserved example of one of the most prolific transport aircraft of the era.
The Gooney Bird Group is dedicated to preserving and maintaining airworthy historical planes to educate current and future generations of the engineering achievements and personal sacrifices made by our military men and women.
Betsy’s Adventures
(Her History)
1943
Contracted by the USAAF, C-47 SN 43-48608 rolled off the Douglas Aircraft Company-Oklahoma City production line in April 1944.
1944
Delivered to the USAAF in September 1944, and flew for the 9th Air Force, 302nd Air Transport Wing, 27th Air Transport Group during World War II.
1946
SN 43-48608 was loaned to Belgian Air Force.
1952
She was returned by the Belgians to the then new United States Air Force which had not existed when she served in the Army Air Corps.
1953
SN 43-48608 was loaned to French Air Force.
1967
SN 43-48608 was loaned to the Israeli Air Force, maintained in "War Readiness" state for over 30 years.
1999
SN 43-48608 is registered to to Global Aircraft Industries of Arizona, under the registration number N47SJ.
2001
N47SJ left Ben Gurion on delivery; first stop Malta. En route, one engine was shut down two hours out of Malta, they flew 2 hours on one engine and landed with less than 5 min of gas left.
2002
N47SJ stored at Villeneuve Airport, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
2007
N47SJ registered to Gooney Bird Corporation. Flown from Canada to Paso Robles, CA and arrives at KPRB in June.
2009
N47SJ returns to flight after an extensive 3-year restoration project.
2019
Betsy flew to Normandy to participate in the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Landing, and the 70th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
