The tip of the Upper Peninsula and the shoreline of St. Ignace can be seen from a 1944 Douglas C-47 Skytrain as it circles over the Mackinac Bridge during one of two flights made Saturday, September 5. The plane had permission to enter the airspace. The entire 3,500 feet of Mackinac Island's runway was needed for the 1944 Douglas C-47 Skytrain that landed on the Island Saturday, September 5. C-47s were used extensively during World War II to carry paratroopers and supplies into battle, and afterward to supply isolated outposts, and this one was on a goodwill run from its home base at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport in Belleville.

"If we had different conditions, it would be a very spooky landing, but everything was perfect," said Larry Amprim, manager of the Dispatch Riders. "Right where the runway starts, you'd better have decreased power and touch down there because that aircraft does not have the ability to create a counter force like modern jets. The C-47 has brakes, but nowhere near strong enough to stop 25,000 pounds."

Piloting the C-47 Saturday, September 5, are captains Howard Rundell (right) of Northville, who served in the U.S. Navy, and Tony Buttacavoli, who served in the Marines. The restored C-47, designated a DC-3 in civilian configuration, made a quick stop on the tarmac to pick up passengers for a tour above the Mackinac Bridge and around the Island before landing a second time and opening its doors for public tours.

Mr. Amprim organized the trip north on the historic plane. It has been restored and is one of four planes owned by the Yankee Air Museum. It was brought to the Island by the Dispatch Riders, a motorcycle group affiliated with the museum that is seeking funds and memorabil- ia to rebuild the museum, after it was destroyed by fire five years ago.

A view of Mackinac Island from the C-47. The airport is visible at the top left. The trip was so well received, the group plans to return next year, said Mr. Amprim.

Although the exact history of this particular C-47 is not known, the former U.S. Air Force plane could have played a role in the Berlin airlift, supplying much needed food to the city and participating in the famed candy drop, said Mr. Amprim.

"During the Berlin airlift, the airmen, as a show of goodwill, would drop candy to the German kids out of the C-47," he said. "It became one of the most humanitarian efforts that grown men would do for children as the result of probably the bloodiest conflict in the history of mankind."

What is known about the C-47 that visited the Island Saturday is that the University of Michigan purchased the plane as war surplus for its Willow Run research operation. Later, the plane was purchased from the university by the museum and restored in 1984.

Visitors wait for word that they can climb on board and tour the vintage C-47 World War II plane on the tarmac at the Mackinac Island airport Saturday, September 5. Aircraft enthusiasts kept crew members busy during the five hours the plane was open for tours. Piloting the plane for the museum are Howard Rundell of Northville and Tony Buttacavoli of Commerce. The two men say they enjoy flying the historic aircraft.

"It is a sacred trust, basically," said Captain Buttacavoli, who served in the Marine Corps infantry. He learned to fly while in high school. "It is keeping the flame alive. A good thing about the DC-3, unlike a lot of the other museum airplanes, this airplane is still earning its keep in the Third World. They still are flying the DC-3 in Africa and Asia or South America. It is still earning its daily pay. That is what I think is so significant about this airplane and so beautiful about it. We hope to keep this airplane flying as long as we possibly can into the future."

Captain Rundell appreciates flying the plane that, he said, was considered the workhorse airplane of WWII.

"It's an honor to fly this airplane," said Captain Rundell a former anti-submarine patrol pilot in the U.S. Navy. "It is one of the most historic planes ever built."

On the tour of the bridge were Grand Hotel President Dan Musser III, his son, Dan "Quattro" Musser IV, the hotel's president of sales and marketing, Ken Hayward, his son, Zach, and nephew, Theodore Albaraz. Also aboard the 15-minute flight were hotel guests Joan and James Flood.

"Quattro, my son, and I make balsa wood models of World War II airplanes, so the idea of actually going in one and flying in one was pretty great for both of us.," said Mr. Musser. "We had a great day,"

The plane's interior was designed to carry paratroopers into battle. A metal bench lines each side of the aircraft and soldiers faced each other during their flights. For Saturday's flight, cushions were placed on the metal seats.

The roar of the 1,200 horsepower engines during takeoff was loud, although it was substantially reduced as the plane circled the bridge using about 40% power.

"It sort of becomes a tractor in the air," said Mr. Amprim.

The plane has gigantic wings, he said, and the aircraft has a reputation for being able to lift an unbelievable amount of weight because of the design of the wing.. It also requires less power and reduces the noise in flight.

The wingspan is 95 feet.

The C-47 is rated to carry more than 25,000 pounds, said Mr. Amprim, although it was regularly overloaded during the war. Flying with 30 paratroopers was common, although it was designed for 27 paratroopers and three crew members. The plane also was used to transport military Jeeps.

The opportunity to tour the plane Saturday afternoon drew a steady stream of spectators for about five hours.

Island summer residents Brenda Horton and Jill Sawatzki said they were happy to see the unique plane visit the Island. The plane, they agreed, served as a reminder of all the soldiers who served in World War II.

"It brings back memories of my dad, who was in World War II," said Mrs. Horton. "I think of him and the stories he used to tell of the war."

Upon returning Saturday evening to the Willow Run Airport where the plane is kept on display, Mr. Amprin said the crew and Dispatch Riders agreed it was one of the most delightful flights they have had recently. While lunching at Grand Hotel, some of the group's members were greeted by Governor Jennifer Granholm, who also was at Grand Hotel.

"They all asked, are we going back next year?" he said, "And the consensus is 'yes.' We felt like celebrities, which we aren't, but we felt we were treated as such."

If the airport were 1,500 feet longer, he said, next time the group would bring the museum's bombers, a B-17 Flying Fortress and a B-25 Mitchell.

Light prevailing winds made for a smooth flight from the Willow Run airport to the Island and back, he said, and the plane burned about 325 gallons of fuel on the entire trip.

"We could not have asked for a more perfect day," said Mr. Amprim.

Since a 2004 fire that destroyed the Yankee Air Museum, its members have been fundraising and seeking memorabilia from WWII.

"We're coming back because we need to make friends with folks in northern Michigan," said Mr. Amprim. "I'm sure there are people up there that Uncle Fred was in the war or Uncle Ed flew a B-17, and those are the kind of people that we need to ask for assistance [from], both financially and with historical artifacts ,because without the entire state, we just can't come back [as a museum]. We're not giving up."

Donations to the museum can be sent to Les Klima, Yankee Air Museum, P.O. Box 590, Belleville, Michigan 48112-0590.