During the winter maintenance season of 2025-2026, the team at Vintage Wings Inc. discovered exfoliation and corrosion starting on a few spar caps and stringers in the left outboard wing...

Fearing it may be in other places unable to be seen and reached, the team at Vintage Wings Inc. decided to temporarily ground our beloved C-53 until a replacement set of wings could be found. Luckily, we didn't have to wait to long. Thanks to Preferred Airparts, a replacement set was soon purchased after an extensive search through their inventory. The donor aircraft was a Navy R4-D, with very few hours on its frame. Having been previously owned by Karl Stoltzfus, this set of wings was intended as a replacement set for

DC-3 "Miss Virginia." 

 

Now, with the new wings in the hangar, work is progressing at 100 mph to make the wings ready for mating with the center wing of Beach City Baby so she can return to the air in 2027. But we need your help to make this happen! With all the work that needs to be accomplished and lack of funding from not being on the airshow circuit, your donations matter more now than ever! Please consider making a donation today to Vintage Wings Inc. to help us return the C-53 to flight. 

 

 

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Vintage Wings Inc. is a 501 ©3 nonprofit historical organization which relies on public and private donations. Please consider making a financial contribution to help keep the restoration going and to ensure she flies for years to come fulfilling its greatest mission yet.