A belated post, due to technical difficulties, but last Sat there was an Open Day at Coventry, which offered a tour of the hangars and the ramp, as well as a flight in a ‘classic’. The choice was DC-3, Twin Pin, Prentice or Rapide, and on what was a very gusty day, the smaller two were certainly bouncing around.
The Shackleton was fired up at midday, and proved itself to be very much still a ‘live’ airframe, though seemingly not with any prospect of returning to the air, especially as the AA already own a flying example in the USA. The Shack has an enthusiastic band of fans to tend its every need, and internal tours are available.
Only four Dakotas were evident, but both the DC-6 were present, as was an engineless Convair. According to the guide, this will probably not be flown again, due to wing damage sustained when the port engine partly exploded on a test flight. Two Electras are also being stripped for spares. Overall, it was a fascinating tour, and very good value.
By: DGH - 20th September 2004 at 10:18
Thanks for the info guys 🙂
Will definatly go next year.
By: dodrums - 20th September 2004 at 08:38
Propstrike, thanks for the photos. Alanl + fl200, thanks muchly for the info re the visits, must get down some day, and i have to get a flight in the twinpin.
Ken
By: FL200 - 19th September 2004 at 23:49
Try Air Atlantique’s NEW website which is updated.
Go to the ‘Group Companies’ menu, then select Classic Flight.
Regards,
Jon.
By: alanl - 19th September 2004 at 20:58
Hi Prop strike,glad you had a good day! 🙂
Dgh,The open days are normally advertised in Flypast and Aeroplane Monthly,but I will let you know next time there is an open day via the forum,the cost is about £45.00,for a hanger tour and a flight.
Contact the Historic Flight on 0870 330 4747 for details.
Alanl classic flight volunteer.
Ps if anybody is interested there is atrip over the Normady beaches on 4th october by Dc3 from coventry for £250.00,and to the end of season Duxford show by Twin Pioneer and Dc3 for £145.00.
By: DGH - 19th September 2004 at 08:36
How do you find out about these open days? They dont seem to be advertised and I gave up on there web page as it doesn’t seem to get updated.
By: Spey111 - 19th September 2004 at 06:35
Thanks for sharing the pictures. I have been on about 4 different open days now over the years. Good value and always an interesting look round the hangars.
By: Corsair166b - 19th September 2004 at 01:35
Good to see the Shack up and running, toured this plane back in 2000 when it was not YET a live airframe, great to see her running…likewise the Canberra is looking good, she looks a LOT different than when we saw her looking pretty tired out on the ramp…
Mark
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September 18, 2004 at 11:28 pm