Team Charleston's "Ol' Shakey" gets a face-lift

Published April 13, 2007
By Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Charleston Air Force Base -- Team Charleston Airmen have begun work restoring the C-124 "Globemaster II" on display at the Air Park.

The 60-day restoration process began March 15. So far, the crew has begun sanding and peeling off the existing paint and replacing corroded sheet metal. The Airmen will primer and paint the plane with the same paint scheme it had when it was active.
The team restoring "Ol' Shakey" consists of 10 Airmen from the 315th Maintenance Squadron.

"I couldn't have asked for a better crew; they are very dedicated, quality individuals who do quality work," said Master Sgt. Roy Crowell, leader of the restoration team. "This is good training for new trainees to get a chance to experience real sheet metal work. Plus, being on site, you have to use ingenuity. We are going to try and replicate the original paint scheme or get as close as possible."

James Cook, 437th Maintenance Squadron air park manager, takes great pride in ensuring the Air Park is kept up to high standards.

"It can be a bit much at times, but when I see the outcome, it's all worth it. It's what I'm doing to show and keep Charleston pride" he said.

The C-124's first flight was Nov. 27, 1949. The Air Force purchased 448 C-124s for $1,646,000 each. Their primary use was to transport cargo, but they also flew domestic and foreign humanitarian flights providing food and supplies for natural disaster victims. "Ol' Shakey" was given its name by crew members because of the constant in-flight shaking, rattling and squeaking. "Ol' Shakey" was assigned to Charleston AFB from November 1957 until May 1969.

While here, the C-124 flew relief missions to Chile, returned space capsules to Cape Canaveral and flew supplies to Antarctica. After dedicating more than 21 years to the Air Force, the C-124 was removed from active duty in 1970.

The C-124 at the Air Park was flown to Charleston AFB by Col. James McCombs from Florence, S.C., and landed Aug. 23, 1986, at 10:58 a.m.

Sept. 18, 1987, Charleston AFB dedicated the Air Park to show appreciation for the base's history and honor those who served here. "Ol' Shakey" was one of four planes on display that day. Since then, the C-124 has been painted twice to keep it looking its best.
"The park is used for many ceremonies, not to mention retirees from all over the U.S. come to see the Charleston AFB Air Park," said Mr. Cook "I have already had calls from retirees who are unable to visit the base requesting photos of the restored plane."