DC3 says goodbye

It was bad news followed by good news by Air Atlantique – Classic Air Force last week. 

Douglas DC-3 G-AMRA departed Coventry Airport for Berlin Schönefeld, closing a famous chapter in the history of the West Midlands airport.  The plane's new owner is Air Service Berlin who plan to keep it flying as a permanent memorial to the 1948 Berlin Air Lift in which the DC3 played a significant role. 

The good news is that Classic Air Force's President, Mike Collett, chose the occasion to announce that he plans to relocate Air Atlantique’s two remaining DC3s to Newquay – Cornwall Airport for 2014 and, subject to CAA approval, return them to passenger flying, albeit pleasure trips out of the former RAF St Mawgan.

“In many ways it is sad to see Romeo Alpha leaving these shores”, he said.  “We know that it is in good hands and will be kept flying.  That is always the policy of the Classic Trust.  However it is our intention to operate a passenger DC3 next year.  Newquay has been a great success and our smaller de Havilland Rapides very popular for pleasure flights.  The DC3 is the world’s greatest passenger aircraft.  In 2014 just a very few will still be flying”. www.classicairforce.com

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