Post by Johnny on Jun 1, 2008 9:17:19 GMT
Below is a photo I took of a Douglas C-47 (also known as a DC-3), which flew over our house yesterday.
This aircraft is WW2 in vintage, and is operated by a firm who use it to give pleasure flights at airshows. It gives a chance for people to experience a flight in a genuine WW2 aircraft.
The C-47 was originally used as a freighter, a passenger plane, and was also used in great quantity to transport and drop paratroopers during D-Day and many of the epic battles (ie-Arnhem) at the end of the war. It has one of the finest safety records of any aircraft, and is renowned for it's safety and reliability.
During the early cold war, these aircraft were outstanding during the famous "Berlin Airlift".
However, where it survived the war, the Luftwaffe and countless anti-aircraft guns - it has now encountered a far more powerful foe.
Yes, due to EU regulations, each of these planes would have to have over £125,000 spent on them - to make them less prone to any hijack attempt by terrorists!
As the plane is officially classed as an "airliner" it has to have countless modifications made to it. The fact that it is a vintage aircraft that offers a limited service for airshow goers seems to cut no ice with the official minds however. Instead of a "Bridge Too Far", this has proved a "Cost Too Far", and sadly, these planes are now either going to be grounded, or sold abroad.
Ironically, the Dakota is being grounded by the very people it helped to liberate over six decades ago. Very sad.
Kitty & I have fond memories of having gone for a flight in this wonderful old plane, when we attended the Coventry Airshow many years ago.
This is another case of stupidity triumphing over commonsense again, but alas, doesn't that seem to be the recurring theme nowadays?
Farewell to a unique piece of history.
Kitty & I are at least glad we got to experience flying in one.
This aircraft is WW2 in vintage, and is operated by a firm who use it to give pleasure flights at airshows. It gives a chance for people to experience a flight in a genuine WW2 aircraft.
The C-47 was originally used as a freighter, a passenger plane, and was also used in great quantity to transport and drop paratroopers during D-Day and many of the epic battles (ie-Arnhem) at the end of the war. It has one of the finest safety records of any aircraft, and is renowned for it's safety and reliability.
During the early cold war, these aircraft were outstanding during the famous "Berlin Airlift".
However, where it survived the war, the Luftwaffe and countless anti-aircraft guns - it has now encountered a far more powerful foe.
Yes, due to EU regulations, each of these planes would have to have over £125,000 spent on them - to make them less prone to any hijack attempt by terrorists!
As the plane is officially classed as an "airliner" it has to have countless modifications made to it. The fact that it is a vintage aircraft that offers a limited service for airshow goers seems to cut no ice with the official minds however. Instead of a "Bridge Too Far", this has proved a "Cost Too Far", and sadly, these planes are now either going to be grounded, or sold abroad.
Ironically, the Dakota is being grounded by the very people it helped to liberate over six decades ago. Very sad.
Kitty & I have fond memories of having gone for a flight in this wonderful old plane, when we attended the Coventry Airshow many years ago.
This is another case of stupidity triumphing over commonsense again, but alas, doesn't that seem to be the recurring theme nowadays?
Farewell to a unique piece of history.
Kitty & I are at least glad we got to experience flying in one.