11 C-47s on their way from the US to Normandy via Scotland

[Eric Mc]

I presume that means we won't be seeing Airfix producing one of these anytime soon

Valom do one at the moment - but Valom kits can be a bit challenging. I saw one built up at the Hornchurch model show a few weeks ago and it was quite good.

[lufbramatt]

Yes, just seen that kit whilst googling. Tricycle undercarriage too, seems so unusual for an RAF aircraft. According to wiki they built 600 of them so not that rare a type. Well you learn something new every day

[Tom1312]

Any idea when these will be over Southend?

[Escapegoat]

Tom1312 said:

Any idea when these will be over Southend?

Approx 14:29!

According to this article
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/d...

[rallye101]

departing Duxford now..

[Eric Mc]

Can't see them on Flight Radar 24.

[Eric Mc]

lufbramatt said:

Yes, just seen that kit whilst googling. Tricycle undercarriage too, seems so unusual for an RAF aircraft. According to wiki they built 600 of them so not that rare a type. Well you learn something new every day

One of the first British tricycle undercarriage aircraft. It was mainly built from wood as that was part of the original specification. The specification was drawn up partly to utilise non war-essential materials such as wood. However, it turned out too heavy and slow to fulfill its original purpose as a bomber so ended up being used as a glider tug.

[andy97]

Eric Mc said:

lufbramatt said:

Yes, just seen that kit whilst googling. Tricycle undercarriage too, seems so unusual for an RAF aircraft. According to wiki they built 600 of them so not that rare a type. Well you learn something new every day

One of the first British tricycle undercarriage aircraft. It was mainly built from wood as that was part of the original specification. The specification was drawn up partly to utilise non war-essential materials such as wood. However, it turned out too heavy and slow to fulfill its original purpose as a bomber so ended up being used as a glider tug.

Looks very similar to a B-25.

[Eric Mc]

The B-25 was an earlier design, was made of metal and performed very well - unlike the Albemarle.

As far as I know, not a single piece of Albemarle survives. The RAF ditched them with haste as soon as the war ended.

[Eric Mc]

Looks like the C-47s are only taking off from Duxford now. Presumably they've been keeping an eye on the weather en route.

[Eric Mc]

Live coverage on BBC News Channel. If only they had someone who knew something about the DC-3/C-47 or about the actual airborne operations on D-Day it would be so much better.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcnews

[lufbramatt]

Looks like they are in the air

[lufbramatt]

Looks like someone in a tiger Moth has been drawing a C-47!

[Eric Mc]

Just noticed that too.

I see a Lisunov Li-2 has sneaked into the line up

I wish the commentators told the audience about the various permutations of "Dakotas" taking part. There is at least one genuine pre-war DC-3 in the flotilla.

[TCEvo]

Terrible photo taken with my phone from a field in Latchingdon, Essex.

[eltawater]

Holy cow at the Hercules and Osprey flypast this morning at Duxford!

[eltawater]

[eltawater]

Gretchen - you have mail

[Trevatanus]

Amazing afternoon. Perched up on Beachy Head, but sadly they passed about a mile east of my position, so photos not as good as I'd hoped. Was quite emotional to watch.

[aeropilot]

Trevatanus said:

Amazing afternoon. Perched up on Beachy Head, but sadly they passed about a mile east of my position, so photos not as good as I'd hoped. Was quite emotional to watch.

I guess you were down the Seven Sisters lower end west of the lighthouse?

I knew from the NOTAM map they were due to fly directly over the high point where the Bomber Command memorial is by the Pub, so headed for there.
It was packed though, 1000's of people up there, with the road packed with cars all the way back to Warren Hill and down to the East Dean Rd...!
Fortunately, I came in from the west end and managed to park almost up as far as the pub