Want to see the Dakota armada heading for France, places to be
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Been quite a day for American aerial sightseers in the South.
Landed at Inverness a few hours ago, likely fly down to Duxford tomorrow.
9 of the USA Daks will be flying out of Duxford tomorrow afternoon to fly into Old Warden for the airshow on Sunday, and depart after the show on Sunday to return to Duxford. Most of the European Dak contingent will be arriving at Duxford over the course of Saturday and Sunday.
9 of the USA Daks will be flying out of Duxford tomorrow afternoon to fly into Old Warden for the airshow on Sunday, and depart after the show on Sunday to return to Duxford. Most of the European Dak contingent will be arriving at Duxford over the course of Saturday and Sunday.
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An epic photoshoot took place today over the White Cliffs of Beachy Head. Nine D-Day Squadron airplanes flew down the southern coast of England to fly along the iconic and historic White Cliffs. In this stunning shot by Rich Cooper of The Centre of Aviation Photography, Commemorative Air Force That's All, Brother, Placid Lassie and 101st Tribute, Rendezvous with Destiny bank in a cohesive formation - bringing to life an image 75 years in the making.
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...39&oe=5D5EA26D
Miss Montana C47
https://missmontanatonormandy.com/gallery/
=left
N24320 has been a work of pride for many museum members who annually take her to the runway for an engine run-up. She has a current airworthiness certificate and a crew of volunteers will be ensuring that she is in top form and ready to cross the Atlantic with the other planes from the United States which will participate in the Normandy tribute.
The Museum membership includes several experienced trans-Atlantic pilots who, along with younger, yet experienced, pilots, will be making the flight to Duxford, UK, and participating in the many activities scheduled during the two months of the tribute project.
The C-47 committee has selected the designation “Miss Montana to Normandy” to represent and honor the participation of the over 57,000 Montana citizens who served during World War II in all branches of the military, and also to honor the citizens of Montana who served in the war effort on the home front. The original designation “Miss Montana” was the nose art on the B-25 flown by Capt. Malcolm W. Enman, a Drummond, Montana resident who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with a cluster, the Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and American Defense ribbons, along with three stars for participation in three major campaigns, the Gilbert, The Marshall and the Caroline Islands. Mac, now deceased, is the father-in-law of Dick Komberec and grandfather of Eric Komberec, museum members, who plan to make the trip to Normandy as pilots.
=leftWe are fortunate to have an historic C-47 aircraft in the Museum of Mountain Flying in Missoula. She has a rich history we would like to share with you!
N24320 was built as part of the United States war effort. She did not fly during World War II, as the war ended prior to her being completed. Her original mission was to serve our country in World War II, and this is one of the reasons we are flying her to Normandy…to complete her mission. Even though she did not serve in World War II, she has led a life of service.
Our N24320, is the airplane that flew the smokejumpers that fought the Mann Gulch Fire near Helena in 1949. Twelve smokejumpers and 1 smoke chaser perished in the Mann Gulch Fire. N24320 is displayed in the Museum of Mountain Flying as a tribute to those smokejumpers and all smokejumpers that help protect the forests of the United States.
While under the ownership of Johnson Flying Service, N24320 crashed in water killing the pilot and 12 passengers. She was repaired and put back into service. Johnson Flying Service, which was a FBO in Missoula, is significantly represented in the Museum and provided much of the training and first piloting opportunities for many of our Museum members.
N24320 was located by Museum founder Dick Komberec, a retired Delta pilot whose early piloting experience included working for Johnson Flying Service. Mr. Komberec spotted N24320 near Atlanta, Georgia during one of his flights to that area, and the Museum undertook fundraising efforts to purchase the airplane which was flown back to Missoula in and has since been a centerpiece of the Museum.
N24320 was built as part of the United States war effort. She did not fly during World War II, as the war ended prior to her being completed. Her original mission was to serve our country in World War II, and this is one of the reasons we are flying her to Normandy…to complete her mission. Even though she did not serve in World War II, she has led a life of service.
Our N24320, is the airplane that flew the smokejumpers that fought the Mann Gulch Fire near Helena in 1949. Twelve smokejumpers and 1 smoke chaser perished in the Mann Gulch Fire. N24320 is displayed in the Museum of Mountain Flying as a tribute to those smokejumpers and all smokejumpers that help protect the forests of the United States.
While under the ownership of Johnson Flying Service, N24320 crashed in water killing the pilot and 12 passengers. She was repaired and put back into service. Johnson Flying Service, which was a FBO in Missoula, is significantly represented in the Museum and provided much of the training and first piloting opportunities for many of our Museum members.
N24320 was located by Museum founder Dick Komberec, a retired Delta pilot whose early piloting experience included working for Johnson Flying Service. Mr. Komberec spotted N24320 near Atlanta, Georgia during one of his flights to that area, and the Museum undertook fundraising efforts to purchase the airplane which was flown back to Missoula in and has since been a centerpiece of the Museum.
N24320 has been a work of pride for many museum members who annually take her to the runway for an engine run-up. She has a current airworthiness certificate and a crew of volunteers will be ensuring that she is in top form and ready to cross the Atlantic with the other planes from the United States which will participate in the Normandy tribute.
The Museum membership includes several experienced trans-Atlantic pilots who, along with younger, yet experienced, pilots, will be making the flight to Duxford, UK, and participating in the many activities scheduled during the two months of the tribute project.
The C-47 committee has selected the designation “Miss Montana to Normandy” to represent and honor the participation of the over 57,000 Montana citizens who served during World War II in all branches of the military, and also to honor the citizens of Montana who served in the war effort on the home front. The original designation “Miss Montana” was the nose art on the B-25 flown by Capt. Malcolm W. Enman, a Drummond, Montana resident who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with a cluster, the Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and American Defense ribbons, along with three stars for participation in three major campaigns, the Gilbert, The Marshall and the Caroline Islands. Mac, now deceased, is the father-in-law of Dick Komberec and grandfather of Eric Komberec, museum members, who plan to make the trip to Normandy as pilots.
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They were supposed to all have arrived today, I wonder if some were out flying or they are awaiting the odd stragglers. Will be there on the 4th and 5th.
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
At the risk of revealing my secret spotter's credentials, they are de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapides. It was an early 30's passenger plane (6-8 pax) converted to a nav and radio training aircraft during the second World War, military version known as the Dominie.
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They also do pleasure flights at Duxford and air to air photography. The T6 Texan is beside them, from the programme
https://www.classic-wings.co.uk/dragon-rapide-flights/
https://forum.keypublishing.com/foru...ry-2019/page15
..
All dayScenic DC-3 Flights
All day Photo flights DC-3’s with T-6’s as photo aircraft.
All day Photo flights DC-3’s with Dragon Rapide as photo aircraft
All day Photo flights DC-3’s with T-6’s as photo aircraft.
All day Photo flights DC-3’s with Dragon Rapide as photo aircraft
https://forum.keypublishing.com/foru...ry-2019/page15
..
Last edited by NutLoose; 3rd Jun 2019 at 08:55.
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Maybe it brought in a tube for the Dak with the flat next to it. 
Last edited by NutLoose; 3rd Jun 2019 at 09:13.
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Nutloose,
The published route is Eastbourne, Beachy Head. Is that for real, or is it Eastbourne(Beachy Head)? If the former it probably means the formation is going to fly along the sea front, over the Head, and then a fairly large turn towards France. Having some knowledge of this sort of thing (with the BBMF many years ago) I can see some troubles in the turn with a large formation flown by some relatively inexperienced pilots. I just want to know where to position and so do a number of mates.
Thanks, Pontifex
The published route is Eastbourne, Beachy Head. Is that for real, or is it Eastbourne(Beachy Head)? If the former it probably means the formation is going to fly along the sea front, over the Head, and then a fairly large turn towards France. Having some knowledge of this sort of thing (with the BBMF many years ago) I can see some troubles in the turn with a large formation flown by some relatively inexperienced pilots. I just want to know where to position and so do a number of mates.
Thanks, Pontifex
Gnome de PPRuNe
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NATS AIC document shows the centre of the corridor routing SSW from Maidstone then turning over Eastbourne directly south. I'm going to be on the front at Eastbourne.
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Wearing a rose and carrying a box of milk tray?? hope have a good view
hope have a good view
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Yes, a rose in my lapel but carrying a copy of the Times under my left arm, Milk Tray, just looking for a meet not romance !!!!!!, rgds, Paul H.
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Duxford day one, turned up fashionably late to avoid the traffic and it worked, straight in but parked miles from the main area, Daks loaded up and took off for mass drop then landed again, weather was gusting 12 to 15 knots where the chutes are limited to 10 knots so drop was cancelled, the wind dropped a bit after taxying in with promises of another attempt but the weather turned for the worse with rain as well, so drops scrubbed, I can't understand it, they're only paras nice to see a row of Daks taxying out though and have pictures to sort through
Display by two Austers followed by 2 seat spit and mk 9 displayed, lots of this thing flew on DDay.... Well the data plate might off..
did well in formation with cross wind. Three Daks then displayed in formation and were followed by the p47 2 P51 and a Wildcat, singletons and formation, due to drop cancelled they were putting up three more Daks but as rain was getting heavy I departed just in time to be subject to a hit and run, luckily just scuffed some lacquer, what rankles is I have a dashcam on order that would have got his number, building on road has cctv so visiting them tomorrow morning to see if they got him on it.
lets see what tomorrow brings.
nice to see a row of Daks taxying out though and have pictures to sort throughDisplay by two Austers followed by 2 seat spit and mk 9 displayed, lots of this thing flew on DDay.... Well the data plate might off..
did well in formation with cross wind. Three Daks then displayed in formation and were followed by the p47 2 P51 and a Wildcat, singletons and formation, due to drop cancelled they were putting up three more Daks but as rain was getting heavy I departed just in time to be subject to a hit and run, luckily just scuffed some lacquer, what rankles is I have a dashcam on order that would have got his number, building on road has cctv so visiting them tomorrow morning to see if they got him on it.lets see what tomorrow brings.
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Yesterday came down the A11, passed Newmarket services at 0900, just got on the A505 and joined a 5 mile queue, stop start, mostly stop. Usually park on the right of the airfield but it was coned off, [but they did open it up later], so had to go down to the land warfare end. Eventually parked at 1125. As NutLoose mentioned, weather not very good so left early afternoon like many others. When you come out from there you can only turn left. Not much use when you need to go the other way. Total of 188 miles, was it worth it? Not for me.
Hope people have better luck today.
Hope people have better luck today.