Not long after we were forced to retire my C-47 #897 because of extensive flight time, I was on a return flight to Kunming in some very lousy weather.

We had taken off in my different but not so new ship, #734, with barely permissible conditions. Climbing through the heavy overcast we encountered icing conditions, and although the de-icers were working as intended, they had difficulty keeping ahead of the accumulation. At about the time of greatest concern for the weather, our troubles were compounded by a sudden backfire of the left engine.

Adjustments such as mixture control changes, fuel tank source, etc. had no effect, and every minute or so --- another backfire. After a brief cockpit conference, it was decided to return; however, it didn't take long to determine that we were past the "point of no return."

Fortunately for us, we had no cargo on board, only passengers---6 or 7 Officers, all with Captain's rank or above. I noticed that each was carrying a sidearm. With the added weight of the accumulating ice, but no cargo, we were able to struggle through the overcast to sunshine and clear air at about 12,000 feet.

I could almost tell by my watch when the backfiring would resume, and it was not only frequent but nerve racking. Now that we were through the worst of the weather, we tried other adjustments but without success.

For whatever reason, parachutes were in short supply on this day; I counted five and there were eleven souls on board. In the event we should be unlucky enough to have a problem with the right engine, I decided I wouldn't want to be back with the Officers, trying to decide who would be the one or two that would wind up without a parachute. I'd take my chances up front lending support to the pilot.

With this kind of a problem the flight seemed to take forever, but make it we did, and landed at Kunming without incident. After discussing the problem with Engineering, the decision was made to remove and replace the carburetor on that engine.

It was then I found out a smidgen about war profiteering. When I opened the carton containing the new carburetor I found a copy of the invoice to the Air Corps for $1200. This for a part not much larger nor more complex than a 4 barreled carb on a big Chevy engine. $1200 was a lot of money in 1945.

The change did solve the problem, by the way, and was the last problem of consequence I had with #734 during my remaining months in China.

Copyright 1999 H. Thomas Flanagan