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Crashed C-47 salvaged in Siberia
This Douglas C-47 made an emergency landing in Siberia in 1947. During World War II, it traveled along the Alaska-Siberia air road. In 1946, without having seen frontline action, the aircraft was transferred to civilian duties in Russia.
Russian Geographical Society
No one was hurt in the 1947 emergency landing prompted by the failure of both engines, but three crew members and some of the passengers disappeared after leaving the crash site to seek help. The pilot's body was found in 1953.
Russian Geographical Society
Those who stayed behind in the plane were rescued after nearly 20 days on the tundra. They wrote a diary on the interior walls of the aircraft as they awaited help. The diary ends with: "We have been saved!"
Russian Geographical Society
This summer, a group organized by the Russian Geographical Society set out to salvage the wrecked plane. They brought it in pieces from the Siberian tundra back to Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Russian Geographical Society
The Douglas C-47 was cut in pieces -- fuselage, wings, engines and central section -- so that a Mi-8 helicopter could lift and deposit them on a barge that had been brought to the nearby Pyasina River.
Russian Geographical Society
Members of the expedition found a number of items of historical interest on board, such as American-made radio equipment and cans of corned beef.
Russian Geographical Society
The idea of salvaging the wreck had been taking shape at the Russian Geographical Society for some years, but it wasn't until this summer that it was possible to put together the necessary resources and sponsors.
Russian Geographical Society
After the final legs of its journey, the plane was delivered to a Russian Geographical Society facility. Ultimately, it's set to be displayed at the future Museum of the Exploration of the Russian North in Krasnoyarsk.
Russian Geographical Society
The C-47 was one of more than 7,000 aircraft that transited through the Alaska-Siberia air road during the war.
Russian Geographical Society
A memorial has now been erected by the members of the salvage expedition at the site where the old Douglas stood.