11 C-47s on their way from the US to Normandy via Scotland
Discussion
Escapegoat said:
I think I saw the whole lot of them, flying quite low over Cambridge in loose formation this evening at about 7pm. Certainly about 9 of them.
Looked fantastic but from a distance I heard nothing over the traffic noise.
Saw a couple near Bury St Edmunds yesterday- one in D Day markings. Made my day.Looked fantastic but from a distance I heard nothing over the traffic noise.
kurt535 said:
anyone know if they are still at Duxford tomorrow? Im tempted to fly in just to see them if they are as have the day off...wx permitting which I haven't looked at!
Yes, as that's sort of the point of them being there.No to the flying in bit if you mean with your own aircraft, see
https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/daks-over-duxford/fa...
"Will visiting pilots be able to book to land on these days?
The Airfield is closed for visiting pilots over the days of the event (2 – 5 June 2019) and there will be no overnight parking for aircraft on 1 June 2019. Due to the size and number of Dakotas that we have coming we will not have the space to accommodate additional aircraft. "
eltawater said:
kurt535 said:
anyone know if they are still at Duxford tomorrow? Im tempted to fly in just to see them if they are as have the day off...wx permitting which I haven't looked at!
Yes, as that's sort of the point of them being there.No to the flying in bit if you mean with your own aircraft, see
https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/daks-over-duxford/fa...
"Will visiting pilots be able to book to land on these days?
The Airfield is closed for visiting pilots over the days of the event (2 – 5 June 2019) and there will be no overnight parking for aircraft on 1 June 2019. Due to the size and number of Dakotas that we have coming we will not have the space to accommodate additional aircraft. "
You can still buy an entry ticket for tomorrow but there are no parking tickets available.Trevatanus said:
I'm off to Beachy Head tomorrow to see them fly over, just hope there is a break in the cloud.
Am currently trying to arrange the afternoon off work to do exactly the same 
Doesn't look to be any cloud breaks after 11.30am though on the south coast, but don't know what the forecast could base is for then, but should hopefully be above the 3000-3500ft level.
I was at Duxford yesterday, part of an amazingly large crowd considering it was a celebration of nothing more sexy than a military transport plane. (Forgive me!)
The weather was decidedly iffy, though, just like 75 years ago.
We watched the parachute jumpers get kitted up, check eachother's gear, and file into a row of six aircraft, before trundling out to take off. It was very moving actually, as it didn't take much more to imagine the young men doing that all those years ago. I'm not too sure who the jumpers were, but they were dressed up in appropriate uniforms, many with faces blackened. Those nearest to us were Dutch.
They circled the airfield, but the jump was abandoned because it was too windy, so they just landed again.
The weather was decidedly iffy, though, just like 75 years ago.
We watched the parachute jumpers get kitted up, check eachother's gear, and file into a row of six aircraft, before trundling out to take off. It was very moving actually, as it didn't take much more to imagine the young men doing that all those years ago. I'm not too sure who the jumpers were, but they were dressed up in appropriate uniforms, many with faces blackened. Those nearest to us were Dutch.
They circled the airfield, but the jump was abandoned because it was too windy, so they just landed again.
Edited by Roofless Toothless on Wednesday 5th June 07:16
That picture could have been taken in June 1944.
It's a real shame that of the various aircraft that were used as paratroop droppers and glider towers, only the C-47 survives today. It would be lovely if we had flying examples of Short Stirlings, Handley Page Halifaxes and Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles -
It's a real shame that of the various aircraft that were used as paratroop droppers and glider towers, only the C-47 survives today. It would be lovely if we had flying examples of Short Stirlings, Handley Page Halifaxes and Armstrong Whitworth Albemarles -
The Norwegian C3 had an exciting day. It took off in the morning to take part in some formation passes, but soon peeled away and and landed on one engine, with the fire truck in close attendance. They managed to park it on the grass strip, as well, so it caused a bit of delay until it was towed. I hope they fix it for the trip to France.
Eric Mc said:
That picture could have been taken in June 1944.
Except US Airborne troops didn't have grey hipster beards in 1944........ 
But other than that, and the modern chutes of course, it does look good. (Not so much the guys in British kit, as they have to make more compromises for safety, due to our crap kit back then compared to the yanks, which detracts from the authentic look)
From those I know involved, there is a lot of current serving Para's (as well as ex-serving) that are doing the jump today in close to wartime kit.
Hipster beard? These guys were Dutch, so I would rather think of it by its proper name, a Van Dyke!
Some of the teams prepared over by the planes, but this group came right over to the spectator barrier so we could see what they were doing. We did comment that there were obviously no weapons, munitions or provisions, and that they were travelling fairly light by WW2 standards, but they had made a real effort to give it all a period air, and it was very moving. Some of the spectators had arrived in period attire as well, Goodwood Revival fashion. I spotted a few Red Berets in one of the other groups.
A great experience, and the rest of Duxford to explore as well
Some of the teams prepared over by the planes, but this group came right over to the spectator barrier so we could see what they were doing. We did comment that there were obviously no weapons, munitions or provisions, and that they were travelling fairly light by WW2 standards, but they had made a real effort to give it all a period air, and it was very moving. Some of the spectators had arrived in period attire as well, Goodwood Revival fashion. I spotted a few Red Berets in one of the other groups.
A great experience, and the rest of Duxford to explore as well
Eric Mc said:
Nose and engine nacelles look very Bristol-y
ETA- ahh think it's an Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_...
Edited by lufbramatt on Wednesday 5th June 13:04
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