C-119 Flying Boxcar: The Biggest Attraction at the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
Contributed by Kimberly Collins
What’s better than a free event outside with planes, on a weekend in the Mat-Su? One that includes one of the most innovative WWII-era aircraft designs, the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar.
Held on May 2 and 3 at the Palmer Municipal Airport and the State Fairgrounds, the Alaska Airmen’s Association Great Alaska Aviation Gathering expected 25,000 participants this year. 1,000 people visited the C-119, the largest aircraft on display at the airport at 86’ long and a wingspan of 109’.
Very different from other purpose-designed craft of the end of the Second World War, the military was looking for new designs for increased demand and mission sets. The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar is definitely different and was very innovative for its time. The plane has large swinging “clam shell” cargo doors at the rear of the aircraft that allow it to be entirely opened up for loading. Empty weight for the Boxcar is 40,000 pounds, with a maximum take-off weight of 74,000 pounds.
Owned by Eagle River resident John Reffett, the plane was manufactured in 1953. Reffett maintains his aircraft, firing up the two Wright R3350 engines once a year. It is the last flightworthy C-119 in the world. He enjoys watching the excitement and admiration from the public as they walk up the ramps into the plane. Especially, though, he and the crew appreciate the stories Veterans and pilots share of their time in the Boxcar, other military craft of the time, and their experience in WWII.
John Will, a friend of Reffett, also heard and saw what Veterans were experiencing in the plane. He saw experiences being recalled, heard the stories, and made it his life’s work to preserve them. Rolling Boxcar was founded to honor and share the contributions of servicemen and women during WWII and shares the story of their time in the Alaskan theater. His organization is restoring the fuselage of a C-119 to be mounted on a bus chassis as a traveling museum, educational platform, and concert venue.
Rolling Boxcar has purchased the fuselage of a C-119 and moved it to a location Will has named “Southern Command” in Bieber, California. The group has been restoring and fitting the plane just as it would have been in 1953. Veterans will sit in the cockpit, operate the rudder pedals and flight yoke mechanism, and they will feel as they did in their time during the war. Will knows from listening to Veterans, they share stories perhaps not spoken since. Rolling Boxcar will give them that opportunity and will honor and preserve their legacy.
Will’s organization is hosting groups of “Rolling Roadies” at their California location who help with the restoration, from locating and delivering tires to polishing the bright aluminum outer skin of the Boxcar. If you’d like to volunteer, you can email the president at john@rollingboxcar.com. They accept financial donations at rollingboxcar.com.
The only thing better than a free event outside with planes in the Mat-Su would be a warm and sunny one. It was cold and windy. Notwithstanding, Alaskans are a hardy crowd and seemed to appreciate learning about the C-119 Flying Boxcar, air rescue, and careers in aviation. Thanks to the many volunteers who made it happen, and a very special thank you to the Alaska Airmen’s Association for sponsoring the event. We appreciate you! Next year, we’ll bring coffee.
Kimberly Collins is the Development Director for Rolling Boxcar, a traveling museum, education, and Veterans organization support nonprofit. For more info, go to rollingboxcar.com.