Warbird Needed to Fly Relief to the Bahamas

http://mofts.org/collection/c-45h-expeditor/ 

My name is Joel Megginson. I’m a NYC based 767 captain. I also am a board member for the Museum of Flight, a 501c3 non-profit unit based in Rome, GA. We operate seven vintage aircraft and promote a local children’s charity and aviation. We maintain a flyable C-45 Expeditor, the military version of a Beech 18. The aircraft in addition to being a Korean War vet continues to serve our museum and the community. Of note, we operated multiple missions delivering insulin into the Houston area after Hurricane Harvey.

We have been tasked to provide humanitarian relief flights to the Bahamas.
Tasking is provided by AeroBridge out of Fort Lauderdale Executive and Ocala flying supplies to Freeport and Marsh Harbor.

The on-site commander is very eager to utilize our asset and relayed the devastation suffered is massive.

Why is the C-45 vital? 

 Our C-45 Expeditor is designed specifically for this mission. Freeport and Marsh Harbor airports are officially closed due to hurricane damage. However, FEMA has allowed certain relief flights to operate through AeroBridge. The performance dynamics, 2000lb/7 passenger airlift capability, the oversized tires and tailwheel configuration make our C-45 the perfect plane for the job of operating out of austere fields with critical cargo- exactly how the aircraft was utilized during its combat history.


We are seeking money for fuel and oil. The aircraft costs $1200 per hour to operate. All donations will be used for two things: fuel and oil to fly humanitarian relief flight to the Bahamas and evacuate American citizen refugees stranded there.  Specifically, we would be used to fly the 150 nautical miles from Lauderdale to March Harbor. We fly 150 nm/hr. It will cost us $7000 to position and recover the aircraft and $2400 each round trip to Marsh Harbor. The aircraft, combat veteran aircrew, maintainers and support staff are all volunteered. The need is immediate. The amount of work is as much as we can take in the foreseeable future.

Any help would be appreciated. We cannot launch until we raise at least $10,000.

Both command and control and the museum are non-profit organization and we will provide pictures of our efforts.
Thank you in advance for you help.
Pray for the Bahamas,
Joel Megginson
706 [phone redacted]

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”
Mark 9:35

More information about Museum of Flight, Hixson: The museum of Flight is a 501c3 non profit whose mission is to increase the awareness of aviation through the flight if historic aircraft while supporting the local children's hospital. The museum has restored to flight or static display 9 historically significant aircraft. To date the museum has donated $25,000 to Erlanger Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House of Chattanooga. It has also done countless child life experiences with chonically ill children.