Save the Skymaster Information

The Douglas C-54 Skymaster 56498 is the last remaining Skymaster in the UK. It had an illustrious career spanning 30 years serving in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Known as the 'Mercy Ship ' of the skies she would take much needed blood, plasma and penicillin to the front line and then bring back the wounded to be treated. So many fascinating stories to be told like the one in 1946 from Japan to Honolulu, to San Fransisco to Delware, NY. Landing at a top secret airbase carrying precious cargo-British survivors of the Burma Rail Road! Another example of how she played a vital role in saving lives was in 'Operation Magic Carpet' in 1949. Some 49 000 Yeminite Jews were airlifted to Israel from Yemen, Aden and Saudi Arabia in a covert operation only made public some 7 months later. Restoration on this magnificent aircraft is underway with plan to fly at the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift at Fassberg Airbase in 2024 in Germany. This beacon of hope throughout the decades, is still providing hope and relief today. Save the Skymaster are planning to develop courses especially designed for War veterans who may be feeling isolated and alone. Not only will they be equipped with skills to find an engineering job in aviation they will also enjoy the comradeship of working with our volunteer teams made up of engineers and other enthusiasts. We don't stop there, Save the Skymaster is engaging with the engineering students who have lost their internships because of the pandemic and joined forces with various colleges. We aim to align ourselves with the STEM syllabus ( Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and give training in a hands on and practical way. And so, Save the Skymaster is relevant today. Restoration on the aircraft also means lives are restored in a tangible way .We hope that you will be come and join this exciting journey of hope whilst also preserving this fascinating flying classroom for future generations to come.