Brian,

I was just going to post on the birthday thread to avoid starting another when I saw this one! The flight and aircraft (De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, G-AGTM) was fabulous. Even the weather was kind. Just to give you a bit of history of this particular aircraft and type, the DH.89 was one of the first passenger aircraft designed back in 1934. This particular aircraft was built in 1944 at Loughborough by Brush Coach Works and delivered to the RAF. She was purchased in 1945 by Iraq Petroleum Transport and began a career in the Middle East where she remained in service until 1964 then returned to the UK as a parachute trainer. She was overhauled and repainted in Navy colours in 1977 before moving to Duxford to operate as an air taxi. The aircraft was damaged in a minor landing incident in 1987 and taken to Audley End for repair. She was bought in 1994 and fully restored. Tango Mike returned to the skies in 1996. She now operates pleasure flights in the UK as part of Air Atlantique Classic Flight.

I loved every second of my 30 minute flight aboard her from Blackpool, up the coast to Fleetwood and back. I made sure I checked in first so I got the seat I wanted, behind the pilot at the front and on the right so I could see in to the cockpit and over the engine and wing. When you see the photos below you'll know why I wanted that seat, I had the best seat on the plane apart from the pilot but I was virtually sat on his knee! The aircraft was amazing. The photos speak for themselves. It was quieter than I was expecting but once the engines started, everything rattled and shook just like you see in the old war films. Couple that with the small of the grease and avgas, it was just like being in the 1940's when air travel was only the domain of the rich and famous. It was certainly a once in a lifetime flight.

The photos are in order from take off, going up the coast northbound from Blackpool to Fleetwood then back. We took off and landed on runway 31.


Tango-Mike all ready to go


That's a far cry from a modern day cockpit (flight deck)


And you think seating in a Boeing 757-200 is crampt! I was sat at the front


Tail just lifting off the ground at we accelorate down runway 31 for take off


Climbing out over the airport


At 1,300ft flying over the coast of Blackpool


Heading north up the coast past the piers and the famous tower


Blackpool Tower (these were taken with a 10mm lens so we are closer to the tower than this looks)


Heading north over Cleveleys, towards Fleetwood. No autopilot here!


Looking out over the Irish Sea, now heading south


Blackpool airport on our left as we descend for landing over Lytham


On final approach for runway 31, runway 28 in the background


Short final, runway 31 is dead ahead

Bring on the DC-3 in 3 weeks!!

Darren

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.. next an MD DC3 eh your a glutton for punishment... or are you hoping to get one of these old birds for yourself

brian

I'll have to talk to the bank manager about that, I don't think the garden is big enough! The DC-3's will be grounded from passenger service after 15th July so got to take the chance while you still can. The DC-3 will be roomy compared to the Dragon, anyone over 4ft 8" and you were bent double climbing down the isle. The next person that says modern aircraft are too crampt will get to see that photo! I'm hoping to jump out the back of one at some stage, always fancied trying that.

Darren

Mention of the DC-3 takes me back, in the late 50s we did a crew change at Gibralter ( the ship was on the States - India run) We were flown back to the UK on a privately chartered DC-3, all I remember is the climb over the Pyrenees in the unpressurised cabin, and the resultant earache, and the necessity to stop at Bordoux to refuel ! Things have moved on a bit since then. Alan

Great pics Darren. Am doing the Draggon Rapide flight out of Oxford in August. I think yours will have better views than mine around Oxfordshire. Dont know what machine it will be. Did they give u full 30 mins?

Nivsy

nivsy,

It'll be G-AGTM as above. That's the main one they use on pleasure flights. You're in for a treat Get the same seat I had, it offers the best views and a view of the cockpit. You can chat to the pilot while you're flying as long as you aren't too distracting on take off and approach. You get 30 mins block to block, same as you would on a flying lesson. ie it includes taxi time. One advantage of BLK is it's light on traffic and the hangar was close to the runway so it was only 2 minutes either way to maximise flight time. We were in the air about 25 minutes.

Things have certainly moved on gramps but it's nice to get back in the old birds and re-live the era when aviation really was aviation. Now it's just like being on a coach, you don't really get to know about the aircraft or flight. Most passengers just get on and off and don't appreciate the complexities.

Darren

WOW Thanks Darren! It was great to share your experience.

Terrific Darren,as usual top posting really enjoyed it.

Papa

I'm doing the DC3 Dakota flight this Sunday from Cardiff Airport at 3pm, hope the weather will be good.