The Douglas DC3 (Better known in the UK as the Dakota) is one of the great aircraft of all time. It first flew in 1935 and have seen extensive military and sicilian service since (my father served briefly on Dakotas during WWII during a stand down in Iraq - between active service in Italyand later action in Burma)
Sadly the Dakota will carry its last passengers in Britain later this year, after EU air safety regulations made it too costly to keep the last two British survivors going. Mike Collett, chairman of Air Atlantique Classic Flight in Coventry,said he was saddened but fitting requirements such as weather radar was not viable financially. Over the next five months the Dakotas will embark upon a final tour of 18 British airports.
The sad thing is that these aircraft are sill perfectly airworthy and will probably be able to soldier on for years yet.
10 comments:
This post and the one below it - both very interesting posts! No nudes in the subway (as we call it)! LOL!
Glad you like these posts!
Sad, very sad.
Surely if a passenger is happy to embark and the pilot is happy to fly what's the problem?
I've logged a few hours in the RC-47, a specialized version of the plane, and they are one tough bird. They still fly up in Alaska because there's no replacement for their size and cost. They put in newer, more efficient engines to fly higher and faster, but the basic airframe is hard to beat.
In agree Grendel. If passengers signed waivers perhaps.
For a plane still to be in service 70 after it first flew says everything about its design and strength. One iof the great designs of the 20th century
This is true and very sad indeed. I lament the passing of true greats.
I agree James
I have flown on the Air Atlantique DC3s many times in the 1980s. On one occasion I was with them at an air show where these beautiful aeroplanes were doing joy rides. An elderly lady approached the pilot who was standing at the foot of the aircraft steps. "How old is this aircraft?"
"Well, it's coming up for fifty years," said the pilt.
"Are you sure it's safe to fly in?" asked the lady
"Well it wouldn't be that old if it wasn't." Was the captain's reply
Haha that's a good one Richard. I bet it was a great experience to fly in one.
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