I was involved (as a military meteorologist) in the making of the parachute scenes for the film “A Bridge Too Far”. I confirm the Finnish and Danish C-47 (or whatever) contribution. They were both exceptionally good and highly professional! The other C-47’s were cobbled together from a variety of sources. I cannot confirm the Portugese registered airframes. What I do know is that some of the non-Danish/Finnish C-47’s were known by the elements of UK 16 Para Bde paratroops actually doing the drops as “Jam Butty Airlines”. Some of the airframes had been retreived/recruited from as far away as Djibouti (thus the Para’s humour!). Some of those airframes were in such a parlous state that as the Grunts shuffled their way to the exit, and sought to steady themselves against the pitching of the aircraft by putting their hands on the inside of the fuselage skin their hands went straight through!!!
HTH
Peter Davies

Lots in the media about XM607. I was on ASI as part of the Mobile Met Unit team that briefed those Black Buck sorties in 1982 during Op CORPORATE.
At the same time as the first mission returned there was an aircraft that looked remarkably like a C-141 on the pan at ASI. But it bore no national ident markings, or airframe numbers. It was crewed by persons in totally plain flying overalls, again with no rank badges or national markings – but with severe crew-cuts. I think you may get the scene!!!
The C-141 crew were either deplaning or emplaning when the first Black Buck mission arrived back at ASI. There was a small Meeting Party and as the Vulcan crew deplaned there was a muted round of applause. The C-141 Captain said “What gives?”. It was explained to him that the Vulcan had just bombed Port Stanley airstrip in an 8000 mile round trip. “Jeez” says Captain Crew-Cut, “That must be longest bombing mission ever. Now if that had been the USAF then there would have been a band here, at least the Vice President – if not the President – and the place would have been festooned with yellow ribbons. I’ve done a tour in UK, and all you Brits can do is give the guys a round of applause like they’ve just scored a goddam Four at Lords!”.
Two nations divided by a “common” language/culture!
Peter Davies