Monroe City Council approved the sale of the City of Monroe’s C-46 plane “The Tinker Belle” to the non-profit Military Aviation Museum at its June 13 meeting.

The City’s Tourism Development Authority purchased the Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando from Commemorative Air Force in 2011 through the expenditure of capital funds raised through hotel occupancy collections to showcase the City’s commitment to the aerospace industry.

Over the City’s 12-year ownership, The Tinker Belle has traveled to countless air shows across the country and internationally in Canada, including the special honor of being placed at show center during the 2016 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)’s AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin which is widely regarded as the largest air show in the world.

“I have travelled with this aircraft to numerous shows and everywhere we go people are in line all day just to step up and catch a glimpse of this living piece of US history,” said Communications and Tourism Director Pete Hovanec. “It was always fun to educate the younger generations of the role Tinker Belle, and similar aircraft, played in shaping our future.” 

The aircraft has been owned and operated by the City in partnership with the non-profit organization Warriors and Warbirds ever since then.

“Over the many years Tinker Belle has been in our care, we have valued the esprit de corps that’s bonded our members together in our mission to preserve the memories of military aviation history,” said Warriors and Warbirds President Tim Beckerman.

The Tinker Belle has been a centerpiece of the Warbirds Over Monroe Air Show every November at the Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport, where it has been housed when not in operation. It has also served as a piece of living history for school groups, civic organizations and industries who are given tours by request. 

“We had a really great run, but in recent years it has become increasingly difficult to maintain and acquire parts specific to the aircraft due to its unique designation,” said Hovanec.

The City has also experienced hardship in finding a steady group of certified pilots due to the uniqueness of the aircraft.

City staff spoke with representatives from the Military Aviation Museum last year regarding the potential sale of the aircraft to their organization. 

The Military Aviation Museum (MAM) is located in Virginia Beach and displays more than 60 aircraft on a 130-acre site specifically designed for the care and operation of vintage aircraft.

“As a museum, we see ourselves as caretakers of history, and it is a great honor to continue the tradition of preservation and heritage interpretation that was established by Warriors and Warbirds,” said MAM Director Keegan Chetwynd.

According to the contract, MAM will adhere to the provisions outlined in G.S. 160A-266 with regards to preserving the cultural and historical significance of the aircraft and will ensure that it will be housed in their facility in perpetuity as an item of historic significance.

“While this is a very bittersweet time for us, we couldn’t be more excited to see Tinker Belle go to an amazing organization dedicated to the preservation and operation of historic aircraft,” said Hovanec. “We have no doubt they will do whatever is needed to showcase this rare bird for years to come.” 

“The Warriors and Warbirds Executive Board and dedicated members wish nothing but success and appreciation to Tinker Belle’s new owners,” said Beckerman.

City Council approved the sale of the aircraft at its regular meeting on June 13, 2023. The proceeds of the sale will be returned to the Tourism Development Authority Capital Fund since the original purchase was made out of that account.

Tinker Belle is expected to take flight to its new home in Virginia Beach later this month. 

ABOUT THE TINKER BELLE

The Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. The final C-46 was first introduced to the public in 1942.

It was used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Corps as well as the US Navy/Marine Corps under the designation RC5.

Known to the men who flew it as “The Whale” or the “Curtiss Calamity,” the C-46 was the largest and heaviest twin-engine aircraft operated by the Air Corps with enlarged cargo doors, a strengthened load floor and a convertible cabin. 

Because of its size and thick shell, the C-46 served as a perfect way to navigate violent weather, heavy cargo loads, high mountain terrain and poorly-equipped airfields. 

It served as the main supply line from India and Burma to remote areas of China during World War II. The flight path through the Himalayas was known as “the Hump.” The Tinker Belle has several yellow camels painted under its name which would indicate how many times it flew “the Hump.” These images were added for historic significance and education, as The Tinker Belle itself never flew “the Hump.”

After World War II, a few surplus C-46 aircraft were briefly used in their original role as passenger airliners, but the glut of surplus C-47s dominated the marketplace with the C-46 soon relegated to primarily cargo duty.

WARRIORS AND WARBIRDS

Warriors and Warbirds is the local non-profit organization that has overseen and performed day-to-day operations of The Tinker Belle.

“These guys have poured their hearts and souls, along with plenty of sweat and scraped knuckles, into keeping this aircraft flying. This group has been such an asset and the City of Monroe owes them a debt of gratitude for their efforts, dedication and support over the years,” said Hovanec.

The group was formed in 2005 by Bob Yanacsek and Bob Russell.

Pete Hovanec remembers Bob Russell:

“A truly special thank you to the person that led the charge to bring the aircraft to Monroe, Bob Russell. Bob was a larger than life personality who passed away a few years ago, but The Tinker Belle was a true passion and love of his. He was not only a friend and mentor he was a great guy who loved airplanes and loved doing things for those in need. I was fortunate to travel with him to the Military Aviation Museum a few years before his health started to decline. During that trip and especially on our return, Bob expressed the love and joy he had seeing their aircraft collection. I know in my heart that he would be happy knowing that it would be going to such a great facility.”