As promised pictures are attached of the Dragon Rapide we flew in (The Silver plane) and the other Rapide also in service that day. Also pictured is B17 'Sally B' which on one side wore the 'decor' for 'Memphis Belle'.
As for the Rapide flight if anyone considers this for the future the plan should be to keep your weight under 20 stone as there are weight restrictions applicable to the 8 passenger seats. The offer of a bag of lead to correct the CG would probably not be acceptable! To get into the 'tail dragger' plane which as you can see has a very 'nose-up' attitude on the ground involves stepping on the lower wing and hoisting yourself into the fuselage using a short rope! Once inside its a bit of a climb into your allotted seat. Prior to take off there is a safety briefing by the flight company staff very much the same as for any modern plane. Escape hatches include two canvas covered circular types on the top of the fuselage with ring pulls to open them. Other than that there is the fuselage door only.
Luckily the wind was blowing straight down the runway and with bright sunshine the conditions seemed ideal. It was the last flight of the day and we were able to negotiate reduced flight costs by claiming to be 'Old Gits' and there was no argument they let us fly for the costs of child seats!
So BPMFC wives should consider birthday trips to Duxford to treat their faithfull husbands.
(It seems that at least 3 of the images have not downloaded properly?)
MJE
Thats better...
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
ReplyDeleteI suspect that your camera is older than the plane. Lumping that big box around and throwing a black cape over your head every time you want to take a snap must be very tiring not to mention the fire risk.
Slip,
ReplyDeleteYour right about the camera, i have only two flashbulbs left. Any chance of you getting me some new ones?----See next blog