Boeing C97 "La Paz"
Decal set for either the Minicraft or Academy kits

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NEWS
I am very saddened to announce that this proud, historic and beautiful aircraft has met its end:
I had always assumed that this was an aircraft that never entered service, but just sat around painted up with nowhere to go.  But, much to my surprise it actually flew in revenue service!

Lorenzo Castaneda of La Paz, Baja California Sur Mexico reports:
 C-97 XA-PII was operated by the Bimbo Organization during several years carrying bread from Mazatlan (MZT) to La Paz (LAP), and it flew during four or five years until shipment by boat proved to be less expensive.  The Bimbo company is the largest bread maker in Mexico, and now is exporting to USA and Latin America.  Last year one of the pilots of that plane passed away. I met him, because he was friend of my father, who  was also a pilot.

Lorenzo followed up with some more information:
XA-PII was first flow from TUS to NLD in DEC 19 -1987.From NLD to LAP in Feb 27- 1988.  From march 1 until 10 was training at LAP.  Start regular service from LAP to MZT in May 1st- 1988.Taking about 2:45 hours or 3:00 hours in the round trip.  The plane was flying regularly until May 31st-1989. That day the Captain leave the company after 361:32 hours of flight and the plane work about two more month until it ceased operations.  I have no idea of the final flight and where it is parked.

The Captain from the first flight was Jorge Martinez Ruiz and passed away last January here at La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The information was taken from the flight book of the Cap. Martinez. His family is at La Paz.

Yes, FINALLY the decal is ready.  The set includes all the titles and even the faded "U.S. Air Force" titles.  Also included are the Bimbo logos, Mexican flags and a windshield for the 1/144 scale version.  Set 44-C97-1 fits the Minicraft 1/144 scale kit, $10.00 and set 72-C97-1 fits the Academy 1/72 scale kit, $30.00.
Sometimes you get a letter in the mail which makes everything really worth while.  I received just such a letter today, Saturday September 5, 2003, and I would like to share its contents with everyone.  Click on the letter and then the photos below to see just what I mean.

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1/72 Scale Academy Stratocruiser kit built by Mike Robson

To dress up your Stratocruiser model, visit the Cobra Company's web site for upgraded parts for both the Minicraft and Academy kits.