AIR ATLANTIQUE CLASSIC FLIGHT DAY

17th DECEMBER 2006

In support of the annual Air Atlantique Classic Dakota flying day, the First Allied Airborne Association deployed a team to Coventry Airfield to provide a WW2 historical display to illustrate the wartime use of the C47 Dakota Aircraft.

Supporting the FAAA were the Ranger Re-enactments Living History group who provided the Air and Ground Crew impressions for the display.

The aim of the event was to give the public attending an insight into the more well know use of this historic aircraft, Parachute deployment, Troop movement and Air re-supply.  This was achieved by establishing a display of men and equipment in full Parachute assault equipment and air and ground crews in typical US Army Air Force uniforms of the time.

The event was of one-day duration and was conducted inside the hanger; a single C47 Dakota Aircraft that was at the time being refitted provided a backdrop to the display.

The joint FAAA and RR display team   

The Air Atlantique company provide twice a year flying days that are open to the public who may wish to undertake a classic flight in the aircraft.  These events are well organised and well attended by the public. The event in December especially is well pre-booked due to the Christmas period with many passengers undertaking flights as Christmas presents, this year's December flying day was no exception.  For the public, at a very reasonable cost they get a welcoming drink, a mince pie and a 20 to 25 minute flight over the Warwickshire countryside taking in some of the sites.  Prior to take off, a WW2 veteran, Alan Hartley of No 46 group Royal Air Force, gives them a presentation on the history of the Aircraft and the part it played in the re-supply missions at Arnhem.

WW2 Veteran Alan Hartley, 46 Group Royal Air Force

On landing, the flights, of which there are 4, then have a guided tour of the other classic Aircraft in and around the Hanger.  Coventry Airport  itself has quite a wartime history.  In 1935, planned as a Civil Airport for Coventry it was sited alongside the Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft factory, which built Whitley bombers from 1937 to June 1943, later Lancasters and Lincolns between August 1942 and 1948.  No. 1 Camouflage Unit was also formed here and No. 9 Fighter Group HQ began here with 308 (Polish) Sqn flying Hurricanes from Speke. They converted to Spitfires before moving to Chilbolton in May 1941.  From March to May 1941, 403 Sqn formed here with Tomahawks, then moved to Ternhill.  In June 1941, 79, 135, 457 and 605 Sqns were also stationed here at various times.

The airfield was used post war by many civil operators, before becoming the home to Air Atlantique and the Midland Air Museum.

After their tour outside, the public were then guided into the hanger where they were met by our display team.  For many, this was quite a surprise and an added bonus to their day.  Many of the public were, of course, military Aviation enthusiasts and appreciated the varied display we had organised for them.  I even met a couple of individuals I knew from the days I ran Jump courses in Holland and a few Military Vehicle owners.  All the members of the public we came into contact with were very interested in the weapons and equipment on display and were particularly interested in the individuals from the group who were in full jump kit and of course many of the public made a bee line for the two Jeeps on display.

Between tours, we were free to wander around and mingle with the public on the flight line.  Feeding was from a very decently priced Burger bar situated between the hangers, the seasonal mince pies and hot chocolate were very popular.

The staff at Air Atlantique could not be friendlier and were very appreciative of our involvement at the event, so much so that a 5^th flight was arranged for us at the end of the day.  After the last public flight was clear of our display, we quickly packed weapons and equipment away and prepared for our flight.  The Air Atlantique staff even looked after out kit so as to allow all who had participated a chance to experience the Classic Dakota in flight.

The walk across the pan was surreal.  The Aircraft we were to fly in was the pride of the fleet and painted in RAF Transport Command markings, she looked no older than a few weeks and we were on her maiden flight, instead of over 65 years old and one of the oldest still flying!

The Classic Lines of the DC3/C47 Dakota

Once on the aircraft, we found our seats.  Gone were the bucket seats of the Troop Carrier Command aircraft and in their place were comfortable airline seats.  However, above us was the static line cable running the length of the fuselage a firm reminder of the wartime employment of these aircraft.

We were loaded with passages and ready to go in a matter of minutes, but not before the mandatory briefing by the cabin crew, a throw back to the late 40's passenger aircraft for sure.

“Thank you for flying on this Classic Dakota flight to day, to the rear you will find the emergency exit”!!  A huge cargo door, of course!  After the brief, but important, safety brief, all passengers were given a boiled sweet, no hot dinner on this flight and certainly no drinks bar!

The cabin starts to fill up

 How did this hobo get aboard?

 Russ, 82nd Pathfinder

Matt, 325th GIR

Neil, 509th PIR

Airborne

 9th USAAF Veteran flies home for Christmas 1945

A veteran returns home, Christmas 1945

We taxied out on to the airfield, span round and immediately started the run down the runway.  At full throttle it appeared to take no time at all before the rear wheel lifted off the deck and the cabin levelled out before finally becoming airborne.  Steve and I were fortunate in being right up front and directly behind the cockpit - with the door open to the cockpit, it was easy to see the controls doing their jobs, truly amazing.

The flight itself was a nice smooth affair, not rushed, and took us over many of the tourist sites in Warwickshire, before turning around and heading back towards the former RAF Station Bagenton, now Coventry Airport.  The landing was as smooth as its take off, nothing like the modern jet engine passenger aircraft we are all used to going on holiday in!

After taxiing to a halt outside the hanger, we all bid our farewells to the Pilot, Co-pilot and aircrew, a truly great experience.  This was the first time I had been up in a Dak and landed in it, all other times I had been out the cargo door and landed before the aircraft!

This event was the icing on the cake, having had a terrific year of events and shows.  It was as always a pleasure having Ranger Re-enactment with us to share the experience and their continued support for these events are appreciated by us all in the First Triple A.

Air Atlantique have proved to be a great organisation in which to work with and it is hoped that the good relationship will flourish and we will have many more opportunities in which to support their events.

Finally, I would like to thank Russ for setting this all up.  Sometimes groups are lucky to have individuals with a get-up-and-go attitude, people not afraid to come forward to organise things for the troops.  We in FAAA are fortunate in having Russell as part of our team.

Now this really is our final event of 2006!

Lee Bowden

Group Co-ordinator

First Allied Airborne Association