Last night I enjoyed a superb visit to the home of the Air Atlantique’s Classic Flight and saw more red than I might have found at a Father Christmas’ convention! Why – because Dakota G-ANAF was debuted in its new colour scheme and very smart it looks too. The flight’s DC-6 in KLM scheme temporarily sports a pseudo Dutch registration on the fin (only) for filming. The static Shackleton was given an ear splitting run up which really livened up the night air. Sadly thick fog swirled in on us and my flight on G-AMRA had to be aborted – still I enjoyed doing a circuit of the apron and taxiway before the aircraft was shut down. I would like to thank all the AACF folk for their efforts and hospitality; in particular it was nice to chat with Will, Dave etc I hope my photos give a flavour of the atmosphere.
Tim
By: STEVE BROOKS - 12th November 2007 at 13:01
Many thanks for that, thought it had to be that one as all of the others were accounted for in other pistures and she is the only one I know to be still in the old colours.
I guess she will have departed by the time of the Dakota birthday flights in December ?
It’s a long time since I last took a photo of her, would dearly love to get one before she moves on.
By: DGH - 9th November 2007 at 18:11
The Dakota in the background of ‘the six’ shot is G-AMSV which is now on the American register and is undergoing final testing before flight, think the plan is then to relocate her to Ireland. She was running both engines for alot of the day on the 4th, sounded lovely. 🙂
By: BlueRobin - 9th November 2007 at 13:39
No radome, so G-AMRA probably.
By: STEVE BROOKS - 9th November 2007 at 13:04
Tim
Really like those night time shots.
I’m curious as to which Dak it is in the background of the shot of G-SIXC.
I’m assuming they were all taken on the same day.
Thanks Steve
By: Consul - 7th November 2007 at 23:00
Do they still have two DC-6s (G-SIXC from memory)?
Here you go – the second, currently earthbound, DC-6.
By: pagen01 - 7th November 2007 at 21:39
Do they still have two DC-6s (G-SIXC from memory)?
By: DGH - 7th November 2007 at 18:48
Maybe he a fan of manchester Utd 😀
JAmes
Ooooh, I wouldn’t say that – think the clue is here…..
By: Manston Airport - 7th November 2007 at 15:57
G-ANAF is owned by Classic Flight and will be operated by Classic Flight, the only difference is we have a new company wishing to use her services.
Oh right sounded like she did not belong to Classic Flight but thank you for that:cool:
I should point out that the new colours have nothing to do with the company using the aircraft. They were chosen by the boss because he liked them!
Tom.
Maybe he a fan of manchester Utd 😀
Just wondering have classic flight got any plans to get more aircraft in the future?
JAmes
By: pagen01 - 7th November 2007 at 14:04
I see the Electra crossing St Athan on its way into Cardiff quite regularly, impressive sight and sound.
Thanks for the info, will try and make that open day.
By: Will J - 7th November 2007 at 12:33
Hi Pagen01,
the Devon is indeed an ex-RAE ‘raspberry ripple’ machine. The rest of it survives in storage in the locality, it is unlikely to be put into service in the immediate future, but is one of the many airframes that we have in reserve!
Classic Flight, or indeed classicflight.com, is part of Air Atlantique. The wider Atlantic group still thrives at Coventry airport, with operations contunuing using Lockheed Electras (Atlantic Airlines) and various smaller twins (RVL group, previously Atlantic Reconnaisance). Both of these organisations are now stand alone businesses in their own right, but remain good neighbours. Air Atlantique, under the direction of chairman and enthusiast Mike Collett, now focusses on classic aircraft operations, with a fleet ranging from Auster to DC6 via an array of classic jets!
Our next open day is on the 16th December, with in depth hangar tours and flights in the Dakota!
By: pagen01 - 7th November 2007 at 09:30
I have asked this before, with no response, is Classic Flight and Air Atlantique the same outfit?
The red on the stored wings threw me, didn’t think Devons operated in the Training Command scheme, is it an ex RAE machine?
Checked ot the CF website, amazed at the diversity of the aircraft that is operated, must be hard work – keep it up.:)
By: Atlantic1 - 6th November 2007 at 20:15
I should point out that the new colours have nothing to do with the company using the aircraft. They were chosen by the boss because he liked them!
Tom.
By: DGH - 6th November 2007 at 19:17
G-ANAF is owned by Classic Flight and will be operated by Classic Flight, the only difference is we have a new company wishing to use her services.
By: Manston Airport - 6th November 2007 at 19:12
It has a new operator thus the new paint scheme.
So does she not belong to Classic Flight no more? :confused:
JAmes
By: Consul - 6th November 2007 at 18:57
Fantastic pics Tim.
What white balance settings did you use?
Thank you kind sir. Most colour balancing done on the desktop.
Tim
By: Consul - 6th November 2007 at 18:38
Waiting for my tickets for the 16th december DC3 72 birthday flight, it will be my 7 year old sons first flight! Beats a Cessna 172 like mine was.
This is what its like – climb aboard;)
Tim
By: sky_high30 - 6th November 2007 at 18:38
The unit on the side is an APU – the alternators on the engines couldn’t *quite* give out enough Juice for some of the stuff that Marshalls had bolted inside it. The fuel tank is inside the fuselage.
It has a new operator thus the new paint scheme.
Some of my pictures from roll out day…sorry it’s taken so long to get them up. Busy weekend!
Kind of looks a lot redder than it actually is…
Dennis the menace much?
By: spade grip - 6th November 2007 at 18:25
Waiting for my tickets for the 16th december DC3 72 birthday flight, it will be my 7 year old sons first flight! Beats a Cessna 172 like mine was.
By: BlueRobin - 6th November 2007 at 12:26
What’s the contraption fitted to the starboard side of the fuselage of G-ANAF?
Nice pics BTW.
John
It’s an APU (gas turbine aux power unit) presumably to power the radar systems. I guess there must be a JetA1 fuel tank also fitted?
By: SADSACK - 6th November 2007 at 12:23
re
I would guess from her spaying duties allthough they make it look like somthing from Star Wars!
Is she painted in red for a reason or they just fancied a change of scheme?
No pics of Duchess of Brittany anyone? 🙂
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November 5, 2007 at 6:51 pm