Aircraft you loved flying in

[justapax]

After a long gap during which I seemed to spend most of my time in hospital having bits of me carved out of me because they were cancerous, I launched a series of threads about planes I'd been flown in as a kid. A lot of other thread participants had fond memories, and sometimes photographs, of their schooldays flying in these airliners too.

There are many, mostly US, aircraft I didn't fly in, but others may have fond memories of them. Just about anything starting DC- , for example. Do you want to share memories of these planes?

[artee]

Originally Posted by justapax

After a long gap during which I seemed to spend most of my time in hospital having bits of me carved out of me because they were cancerous, I launched a series of threads about planes I'd been flown in as a kid. A lot of other thread participants had fond memories, and sometimes photographs, of their schooldays flying in these airliners too.

There are many, mostly US, aircraft I didn't fly in, but others may have fond memories of them. Just about anything starting DC- , for example. Do you want to share memories of these planes?

My only significant memory of a DC - a DC-9, was reversing away from the gate under it's own power, with no tug in attendance.

[luganao]

Britten Norman Islander from Caticlan to Manila in 1999.
DHC 1 Chipmunk , Blackburn Beverley and HP Hastings as an ATC cadet in the early 1960's.

[longer ron]

Chipmunk,variety of Austers,Bulldog,Canberra T4,Hawk T1 and Mk60.
I managed a trip in the Lancaster (thanks Jacko ) after it diverted into Abingdon (early 80's),from the bomb aimers position - we did a low flyby at Luton Airport and displays at Tollerton,Duxford and Belton House [?] (from memory,cannot get to log book this late).
Airliners I really liked - 707,727,747,DC 8 and/or any airliner with petite trolley dollys

Rarest Glider flown - probably a Fokker Goevier in Zimbabwe circa 1984/5.

[cavuman1]

Just as the Lockheed 1049 Super Constellation was being retired in the mid-1960s in favor of jet transports, my father and I were traveling to Dallas, Texas to visit family. Our brief connecting flight from Hartford to New York was aboard a TWA Super Connie and my father, a Naval Architect and Aviation Aficionado, was elated! He looked out over the starboard wing and said "Look at those engines, son! More than 3,000 horsepower each!" As if on cue, #3 turned over, 12-blades, belch of fire and exhaust, a cough and then trembled to life. #4 joined her sister, and before we knew it, we were aloft, bound for the Big Apple. As we reached cruising altitude, probably ~FL100, Dad said "Ed, think of it - this bird cruises 100 miles per hour faster than a Japanese Zero!" His face was a gentle visage of satisfaction and pride in American Engineering. We landed at JFK after a short flight and as we deplaned, I knew we were stepping out of a piece of aviation history. I looked over my shoulder at the svelte airframe with her long legs. I looked up at my Dad. Great aircraft. Great Father.



- Ed

[reynoldsno1]

The bomb aimer's pannier in the Vickers Varsity offered panoramic views, and was also very conducive to falli........zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[ZFT]

Most memorable B17. Airliners, VC10, Britannia and of course all variants of 747..

[justapax]

Originally Posted by luganao

Britten Norman Islander from Caticlan to Manila in 1999.
DHC 1 Chipmunk , Blackburn Beverley and HP Hastings as an ATC cadet in the early 1960's.

My mother's sister's husband was involved in the early days of the Islander. He was fired for having his fingers in the till. That was after being cashiered from the RAF. He did manage to hold down a steady job at Flight Refuelling. His sons both joined the RAF, one was killed in a CFIT accident at Lossiemouth. They were what I suppose you could call the aviation branch of my family tree.

Despite his involvement, I never got to fly in an Islander.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by cavuman1

Just as the Lockheed 1049 Super Constellation was being retired in the mid-1960s in favor of jet transports, my father and I were traveling to Dallas, Texas to visit family. Our brief flight from Hartford to New York was aboard a Super Connie and my father, a Naval Architect and Aviation Aficionado, was elated! He looked out over the starboard wing and said "Look at those engines, son! More than 3,000 horsepower each!" As if on cue, #3 turned over, 12-blades, belch of fire and exhaust, a cough and then trembled to life. #4 joined her sister, and before we knew it, we were aloft, bound for the Big Apple. As we reached cruising altitude, probably ~FL100, Dad said "Ed, think of it - this bird cruises 100 miles per hour faster than a Japanese Zero!" His face was a gentle visage of satisfaction and pride in American Engineering. We landed at JFK after a short flight and as we deplaned, I knew we were stepping out of a piece of aviation history. I looked over my shoulder at the svelte airframe with her long legs. I looked up at my Dad. Great aircraft. Great Father.



- Ed

Still flying, you know. I hope to get to visit the last survivor when I get to Australia later this year.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by ZFT

Most memorable B17. Airliners, VC10, Britannia and of course all variants of 747..

I don't think we've done the Britannia because I never flew in it. Would you like to open a Britannia thread for those who have?

We did do the VC10, which also has its own website, a little VC10derness, https://www.vc10.net/ .

[Expatrick]

Bristol car freighter, such character!
(Hurn <>Cherbourg, 1964, I think)

[Expatrick]

Originally Posted by justapax

I don't think we've done the Britannia because I never flew in it. Would you like to open a Britannia thread for those who have?

We did do the VC10, which also has its own website, a little VC10derness, https://www.vc10.net/ .

Bristol's Whispering Giant

[justapax]

Originally Posted by Expatrick

Bristol car freighter, such character!
(Hurn <>Cherbourg, 1964, I think)

We touched on this in Planes that carried two or three cars across the channel

[artee]

Originally Posted by justapax

Still flying, you know. I hope to get to visit the last survivor when I get to Australia later this year.

I drove past it yesterday...

[Krystal n chips]

In, almost, no particular order

Ka6E / 6CR / Ka8 / Swallow

VC10 / DC10 / DC8 / 146

Gnat / Jag.

[JEM60]

It just has to be Concorde, just once, but very pleased I did!!.

[BSD]

As a child, a flight in a DC-6 is one I remember, The aeroplane was empty, so we had the run of it. From the “posh” section, which was at the rear, with curved seating round the rear bulkhead, to the front. The intriguing sight of the red-hot glow of the exhaust system seen through the cooling gills on the cowling of the no. 2 engine, when it grew dark outside, has stayed with me.

it was top of my list of “planes I’d like to have flown”

[UV]

Originally Posted by longer ron

Rarest Glider flown - probably a Fokker Goevier in Zimbabwe circa 1984/5.

I had a ride in a Goevier when I was at school in Germany in 1965 and flying with the RAFGGA at Bruggen.

Eight years later we bought one and I didn’t realise until years later that it was the same one!!

[justapax]

Originally Posted by JEM60

It just has to be Concorde, just once, but very pleased I did!!.

I only flew in it once, and still have the hand-baggage tag! Concorde experiences anyone?

[Level bust]

Most memorable was 20 minutes in a B17 Flying Fortress at Oshkosh in 2023. Of the 'modern' era many jumpseat rides on BAC 1-11s.