US Navy's 159116

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features the United States Navy's C-9B SkyTrain II (the military version of a DC-9-32CF), Bureau Number 159116 (c/n 47580, l/n 704), in a photo from January 2005, as it's seen above on Taxiway RT, with markings for VR-61 "Islanders" (based at NAS Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA) and named "City of Seattle".

Not much is known about the history of this C-9B, other than it was delivered to the US Navy in September 1973. In the late 1980s, it was assigned to the VR-57 "Conquistadors", and was named both the "City of Long Beach" and the "City of Carlsbad". In the mid-2000s, it was assigned to the VR-61, and flew with the "Islanders" until it was retired in June 2012. It now sits in storage at the AMARG (Davis-Monthan AFB) in Tucson, AZ.

US Marines' C-9B

A US Marine Corps C-9B "Skytrain II", BuNo 160047 (c/n 47687) of VMR-1 "Roadrunners", is visiting HNL, from its base at MCAS Cherry Point, NC.

US Navy's 159120

Crew members of this C-9B "SkyTrain" named "City of Virginia Beach" (Bu No. 159120, c/n 47586), of the VR-56 "Globemasters" (based at Chambers Field, NS Norfolk, VA), prepare to leave the South Ramp on another mission.

US Marines' 160047

Occasionally, the US Navy or the US Marine Corps will park their transport aircraft visiting Hawai‘i on HNL's South Ramp. Today is no different. This McDonnell-Douglas C-9B "Skytrain II", BuNo 160047 (c/n 47687) basks under the Hawaiian sun. As you can see, there is no tail code, nor squadron insignia on 160047. This C-9B is most-likely assigned to the VMR-1 "Roadrunners" of Marine Corps Bases East, and based at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. According to sources, VMR-1 is the only USMC unit that C-9Bs are assigned to.

Eventhough a C-9B "Skytrain II" is a military version of a DC-9-32CF ... it still qualifies as an HNL RareBird.