Whitchurch [Bristol] to Lisbon flight duration
I just had a look at a bit of information about DC-3 speeds and power... I think that these DC-3s used the R-1820 and had about 900-1000 Hp to play with. Not the 1200 Hp that the later versions of this engine or the R-1830 could deliver. That 207 mph is also the maximum cruise speed and not something you would use on a long sector. Something in the 170-180 mph range would be more realistic based on some Cruise performance graphs I found. Using 170 mph I get just over six hours for a no-wind situation. Factor the departure and arrival into it and some wind over that long track and we're pretty close to the seven hours figure we started with.
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On the BomberCommandmuseumarchives.ca, it mentions that the Leslie Howard flight was due to stop at Chivenor to refuel, and that 407 squadron ground crew were awaiting it. I have not seen that info anywhere else and it doesnt appear in the 407 squadron ORB. While not an unknown occurrence to stop off there as evidenced by the August 1943 logbook page in the thread, and while theres no doubt Whitchurch was the final destination, I run a facebook history group for wartime Chivenor and would make a good story if it was confirmed
See my post #35 above. It was common to include a stop at Chivenor as they couldn't take a full load out of Whitchurch. As to whether this was done on the Leslie Howard flight... I will have to check my book later tonight, it might be in there. To be continued.
In addition to the above: I was wrong, the 'Ibis' was attacked on the way back from Lissabon to the UK. It is not clear whether a stop at Chivenor was part of the plan, mention is only made of Whitchurch expecting the flight. There was a strong south-westerly wind so it would be possible for the flight to have been planned non-stop on that occasion. When they switched to night flights after the loss of the 'Ibis', they did still need to include a fuel stop at Chivenor on the UK-Portugal flight. Espinho at Porto was the possible fuel stop on the way back. I found this in 'Sluipvluchten naar Lissabon', Ad van Ommen, 1985.
In addition to the above: I was wrong, the 'Ibis' was attacked on the way back from Lissabon to the UK. It is not clear whether a stop at Chivenor was part of the plan, mention is only made of Whitchurch expecting the flight. There was a strong south-westerly wind so it would be possible for the flight to have been planned non-stop on that occasion. When they switched to night flights after the loss of the 'Ibis', they did still need to include a fuel stop at Chivenor on the UK-Portugal flight. Espinho at Porto was the possible fuel stop on the way back. I found this in 'Sluipvluchten naar Lissabon', Ad van Ommen, 1985.
Last edited by Jhieminga; 20th Apr 2023 at 18:01. Reason: Looked up the details.
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Ive tried to check with this website, where this info came from but seems personal recollection of a 407 squadron member, but no response. I'm going with it anyway, as it wasnt unusual to stop there even on return flight
