Fecha de publicación original ► 20 de Junio de 2009

Historic Aircraft from La Paz: CP-1319

A review of historic aircraft currently stored, preserved or operational in El Alto Airport. La Paz - Bolivia

© JRO

CP-1319. - Known to the locals just as (cien por ciento [“100%” from its former nom-de-guerre [“100% Camba”]) this is one of the last C-46s to fly commercially in Bolivia or anywhere else. It has a very interesting history so far documented as:

-          44-78605 with the US Air Force

-          XT-# with China National Aviation Corporation              

-          N8374C with the CIA-owned Air America company (first with CAT).

-          N4863V in the private market

-          N617Z   with Universal Air Lines                                                 

-          N600SE with Span East Air Lines

-          N600SE with Ortner Air Service

-          CP-1308 for Air Procace, not taken up, company closed down, NEBA not taken up.

-          CP-1319 with Transportes Aéreos Bolívar           

-          CP-1319 with Frigorifico Santa Rita      

-          CP-1319 with CAMBA Ltda.

-          CP-1319 now with a private user.

While on service with TA Bolívar the aircraft had DGAC file #791 and serial number erroneously listed as “2537”, its COA was issued 27SEP80 and PB 01ABR78. In May 17, 1999 it crashed near El Paraiso ranch in Beni and was later recovered to La Paz, were it went into storage. 

Later its restoration took the better part of a year and was virtually completed in mid 2005, after receiving some very interesting contracts the C-46 went to work almost non-stop for the duration of 2006 and 2007, including some paratroop flights in Cochabamba that earned it’s special forces “nose art” reminiscent of the golden age of Bolivian propliners. Near April2008 the plane left Santa Cruz parking and went on to stay in La Paz, were it currently resides expecting a good couple of jobs to lift it up from storage and justify an expensive depot-level check and the engrossing Bolivian COA renewal.

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