Coventry to err.... Coventry. (Part 1)

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,968

On the 17th of December, a trip was planned from Coventry in one of air atlantique's DC-3's. This was to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the DC-3 which by an amazing coincidence had taken place exactly 70 years previously. It was also the opportunity to give my Dad (now78) his first ever flight.

As some of you may remember it was extremely cold that weekend. We were scheduled for a 14:30 flight but on arrival at Coventry it was instantly obvious that there was a problem. Apart from the fact that the circuit was quiet, it usually is, this was quieter than normal and as we drove through the entrance we saw the reason why.....

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/PICT0001a.jpg

This 360 had either burst a tyre on landing or when taxying and had caused the closure of the airport. The DC-3 of air atlantique, G-AMRA, engaged on pleasure flights had been forced to divert to NEMA. One of their other DC-3's, without pax, had gone to Wellesbourne Mountford.

This meant there was to be an unfortunate, but necessarily lengthy delay. Suggestions that the 360 be set fire to and the remains bulldozed off the runway, which were, with hindsight, a little harsh, fell on deaf ears.

So, time to take a few photographs (of virtually everything Atlantic Airlines and the air atlantique Classic Flight own).

We'll start with the nose of a DC-6.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/PICT0020a.jpg

and an engine less Convair...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/conv.jpg

air atlantique classic Flight had tried to provide entertainment to keep us occupied and had a band on site and a group od Airborne reenactors who helpfully posed in front of the BBMF Dakota which is receiving some attention.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/BoB.jpg

As the afternoon wore on and the airfield re-opened it was becoming clear that we would be flying in the dark and as it was Dad's first flight I wanted him to be able to see something. At this point we were offered the opportunity to return the next day for a mid-day flight and as we were frozen to death that is what we elected to do.

So, home we went, slightly disappointed but looking forward even more to our flight.

As we left, KK116/G-AMPY returned...

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/PICT0082a.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/kk116-.jpg

Part two to follow.

Regards,

kev35

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,968

Part Two (For those who have not expired of terminal boredom...)

Sunday 18th. Still cold, if not a little colder but not as bright. Arrived at 10:00 am for a 12:00 departure. Very nice, except there was a slight technical problem with G-AMRA's starboard engine. After a short search, the problem was located....

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/engineer.jpg

We were due on the second flight of the day which, by the time G-AMRA was serviceable, gave us a departure time of 13:30. Here's a couple of shots of G-AMRA starting and taxying for the first flight.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/nose.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/start.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/nose2.jpg

Boarding was carried out on a first come first served basis. Dad and I took two seats over the port wing. This DC-3 is configured for 36 pax in nine rows of four. Comfortably settled in, the crew were very light hearted and entertaining and we were given our safety briefing by Becky. Being a tail-dragger it seems a little strange to be sat in the aircraft with the floor at such a steep angle but it's not uncomfortable or unpleasant.

The somewhat recalcitrant starboard engine of earlier in the morning started first and the aircraft begins that peculiar trembling motion. Port engine started soon after and the vibration, almost a shiver, increases. The aircraft taxied forward and waddled out towards the runway. Being a single runway, this necessitated taxying virtually the length of the runway before turning for take off. On the way we passed one of Thomsonfly's 737's.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/tfly.jpg

Lined up on the runway and with both throttles pushed forward the aircraft becomes very lively indeed. The vibration increases considerably but not unpleasantly. It's not long before the tail rises and then only a few seconds more before the mains leave the ground. Wheels tucked up and flaps decreasing it is a comfortable and steady climb to the operating height for the day of just 1500 feet. Our route is to take us over Kenilworth, Gaydon, Leamington and Warwick and is expected to take 20 minutes or so. A few shots from the air follow.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/air2.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/air1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/air3.jpg

Over Warwick we descended to 500 feet and made some quiet steep turns to allow people to see this historic town. Any fears that I had that my Dad might not be enjoying himself were dispelled by the huge grin he was wearing. He especially enjoyed the steep turns. All too soon we were descending again on the approach to Coventry. Our journey in this beautiful 62 year old airframe was coming to a close. The landing was the smoothest I have ever experienced. Taxying back in my thoughts wondered to the crews and paratroops who flew these aircraft into combat and to the millions of passengers who have flown in the type over the last 70 years.

All in all it is a fantastic experience. No wonder the aircraft has around 800 examples still airworthy. It just feels right. On leaving the aircraft my Dad's first words were "When can we do it again?" One Christmas present I am sure he will remember. It seems likely we may get the chance to repeat the experience in April. Do a google search for Air Atlantique Classic Flight and that will keep you updated.

Despite the delays, or maybe even because of them, Dad and I had a fantastic experience which we will both treasure. Thanks go to all at AACF for organising this event and making it such an interesting and special occasion.

I will leave you with one final photograph. It is a shot of Dad and I taken by Becky (thanks Becky) at 1500 feet somewhere over Warwickshire, living our dream.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d17/kev35_/happycampers.jpg

Regards,

kev35

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 1,064

Superd report there mate - very interesting to read

Member for

18 years 7 months

Posts: 5,530

Thanks for the great report. Glad you had a good day and your Dad enjoyed his first trip off the ground. I thought FR's 732's were old, it must be an awesome experience flying on an aircraft of that age!

Paul

Member for

19 years 11 months

Posts: 10,160

I've been looking forward to seeing this.

Good report and nice shots, Kev. :D

Member for

20 years 10 months

Posts: 9,401

Brilliant report and photos Kev, sounds like a great experience!

Member for

21 years

Posts: 4,209

Very interesting Kev, my Uncle went up in G-AMRA some years ago and ever since hearing his stories of it I've wanted to go up in one.

Hopefully we might be able to make a go of it at Farnborough this year. If we sell tickets on our stand do you think they might give us a free ride Andrew? ;)

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 3,394

Very good Kev,a pleasure to read and nice selection of pictures to go with it! :)

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,672

Excellent stuff - something i'd like to try myself, however 'WC's training mishap doesn't warrent it to be torched in my honest opinion!!!!

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Terrific post Kev.

East Kirkby's Lancaster next?

Moggy

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,968

Excellent stuff - something i'd like to try myself, however 'WC's training mishap doesn't warrent it to be torched in my honest opinion!!!!

Preston. Torching the 360 would have had a three-fold purpose.

1. It would have reopened the airport earlier.

2. The flames would have generated some much needed warmth on a bitterly cold day.

3. I would have saved the petrol consumed on the return the next day.

In all seriousness the unexpected can and will happen. No-one wanted that to happen, least of all the operators of 'WC! It was all sorted as expediently as could be managed. I had two fantastic days out, which culminated in a dream flight in a 62 year old aircraft. It's somewhat sobering to think that that aircraft had been flying for 18 years when I was born, and had survived a war.

Regards,

kev35

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,968

Terrific post Kev.

East Kirkby's Lancaster next?

Moggy

Rob.

Thank you. I have been aboard 'Just Jane' but if you're offering to pay for a taxy run I would happily oblige and write a 'trip report' for you.

Thank you to everyone for the kind comments. Although I enjoy taking photographs of commercial aircraft I have to say that the flight in the DC-3 makes my other flights pale into insignificance. It is a throwback to a golden age and one instantly feels transported back in time. It is, without doubt, the most pleasant of experiences and one I would heartily reccomend.

I have a number of pictures of other aircraft of the AA fleet and will post them here if anyone is interested and/or has no objections.

Regards,

kev35

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,213

Hopefully we might be able to make a go of it at Farnborough this year. If we sell tickets on our stand do you think they might give us a free ride Andrew? ;)

You know me I can blag anything :p

Member for

19 years 11 months

Posts: 10,160

I have a number of pictures of other aircraft of the AA fleet and will post them here if anyone is interested and/or has no objections.
I daresay more people will see and appreciate them if you post them on the main CA Forum, Kev. :)

Member for

18 years 10 months

Posts: 1,084

Still going strong...

Hi Kev,

(Long time no E-speak)

Your excellent report brought back memories of a similar trip I took in in 'MSV at Coventry back in 1987 or '88. We had stopped at Coventry for lunch on our way back to South Coast from a holiday in the North. I hadn't realised AA offerred weekend circuit flights, and my other-half said "Go on then, finish off your holiday with a flight" - I didn't need to be told twice.

I too remember the steep floor angle - it felt like you were mountaineering to get to your seats. The fleet were all carrying "50th Anniversary of the Dakota" logos back then - and some of them are still going strong pushing twenty (or so) years later.

Dakotas forever (I suspect)!

Best wishes for 2006 mate

Paul F