V ä s t e r å s RI AT201 2 RoundUp Ar myAi rCor ps onDi s pl ay201 2 40Y ear sof t he A1 0T hunder bol t I I
CapeTown
“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”
I nt er nat i onalAi r por t
DDayVet er an
Anat ol i an Eagl e
KonyaAB,Tur key
E a r l yJ u n ei s s y n o n y mo u s wi t hDDa yi nWe s t e r nE u r o p e .As h a s n o wb e c o met h et r a d i t i o n , s e v e r a l Al l i e dN Wo r l dWa r2c o mme mo r a t et h ee v e n t so f6J u n e1 9 4 4t h r o u g hawh o l er a n g eo fa c t i v i t e s , wi t ht h ep r i ma r a c k n o wl e d g i n gt h ep h e n o me n a l l yb r a v ea c t i o n so ft h o s et h a t t o o kp a r t .Wh e nIwa si n v i t e dt of l ya l o n g s C4 7 AS k y t r a i n“ Dr a g ‘ EmOo t ”–h e r s e l f aDDa yv e t e r a na ss h ema d eh e r wa yt oL e e o n t h e S o l e n t h e r o wnn o wr e g u l a r i n v o l v e me n t i np r o c e e d i n g s , i t wa sa no p p o r t u n i t yt h a t wa ss i mp l yt o og o o dt omi s s . Wor ds :Ka r lDr a g eI ma ge s :a sc r e d i t e d
e dNa t i o n s f r o m a r yp u r p o s eo f n g s i d eDo u g l a s n t a t t h es t a r t o f s . I mageKar lDr age
Si ncebei ngr est or edf ol l owi ngherr et ur nt o
ougl as C47A S kyt r ai n cons t r uct i on number 19345, was del i ver ed f r om L ong Beach,Cal i f or ni a,t ot he Uni t ed S t at esAr myAi rF or ce as42100882on 28December1943. S he wasone ofabout50 C47st hatwer e modi f i ed t o car r y Model80 pi ckup and wi nch gearf orr ecover i ng as s aul t gl i der sf r om t heNor mandybeaches .
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T heRat i onal e PaddyGr een,abus i nes s manf r om L eeds ,UK,i s t hever ypr oudownerof“Dr ag‘ EmOot ”t oday. Heex pl ai ns : “Wi t hal lt hes et r oop car r yi ng gl i der st hatwer e l andi ng i nt he f i el dsofNor mandy,i nevi t abl ya l oad of t hem wer e goi ng t o be per f ect l y r eus abl e – any number , obvi ous l y, wer e s mas hedt obi t swhent heyl anded,butahuge numberoft hem wer eper f ect l ygood-andt hey wer ever yex pens i vet hi ngst o bui l d,s o bot ht he RoyalAi r F or ce and t he Amer i can mi l i t ar y deci ded t hat t hey s houl dt r yand r ecovers ome oft hem. ”T hi si swher e C47s l i ke “Dr ag‘ EmOot ”and her e br et hr encamei n.
Buyi ngone F ormos tpeopl e,you don’ t j us tgooutand buyaDakot a on a whi m,and i twasver y mucht hes amef orPaddy: “WhenIwasaki d,mydadus edt ot akemeup t o whati snow L eeds Br adf or d Ai r por t ,whi ch us ed t obeYeadonAer odr omei nt hos edayst hi si st hel at e‘ 50s–andt heonl yt hi ngscomi ng i nwer eDakot as ,ownedbyei t herAerL i ngusor a Nor t hEas tbas ed companycal l ed BKS-t he pr eF okkerF r i ends hi p er a. T he Dakswer et he t hi ngsweus edt os ee,andIj us tf el li nl ovewi t h Dakot as .
“My or i gi nalf or ay waswi t h an ai r cr af tt hatw par ked atL eeont heS ol entf ora t i me,t hatw owned by T ony Hol den. I twascal l ed ‘ F i f iKa ( N47F K) ,and hegoti tf r om El s t r ee.I twast hi st h r eal l ys par kedt hei nt er es ti nget t i ngmyownDak wasont het r ai nbackt oL eedsaf t erabus i nes sd i nL ondon and Ihappened t o have a copy F l ypas twi t hme. I ni tt her e wasa t woi nch,s i n col umn aboutt hi s guy who owned t wo DC ( GDAKK bei ng hi sot herai r cr af t )and wass el l t hem. S o Igoti nt ouchwi t hhi m and wentdo andl ookedatt hem bot hatL eeont heS ol enta t hought ,‘ Wel l‘ F i f iKat e’i scer t ai nl ya r unner‘ mean,Icoul d havedonea dealand boughti woul d have been a much cheaperdealf orm Butt henofcour s e,t hemor eI wenti nt oi t ,t hemo Ideci dedi fIwasgoi ngt ohaveone,Iwant edo wi t h a pr oper Eur opean t heat r e hi s t or y, an unf or t unat el y,‘ F i f i Kat e’hadonl yeverbeenont Al eut i anI s l ands–bet weenRus s i aandJ apan.S di dn’ tt i ckt hebox .
t ot heUK,“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”hasmi xedai r show per f or manceswi t hpar t i cpat i oni ncommemor at i veevent s( Kar lDr age)
was was at e’ t hat ak.I day y of i ngl e C3s el l i ng own and ‘–I ti t ;i t me. mor e one and, nt he S oi t
I t ’ snotcl earex act l yhow 42100882ar r i ved i n t he UK dur i ng Wor l d War2,butPaddyhashi s ownt heor i es .Hes ayst hecl uesar et her e: “We don’ tknow i fi tf l ew acr os sori fi tcame acr os s on a cont ai ner s hi p. I tj oi ned t he s quadr onaf t ert he f i r s tcadr e ofpl anes ,i nF eb ’ 44. T her e’ sa t el l t al es i gnonC47st hatwer e madet obes hi pped,andt hati sadoubl er ow of r i vet s ,af toft hemai nl oadi ngdoorandf or war d oft he t ai l . T hey l i t er al l yt ook t he whol et ai l s ect i onof ft oenabl ei tt obes hi pped.T hewi ng out ers ect i onscameof f ,t het ai lcameof f ,and t hen,ofcour s e,youcoul dcr am manymor eof t hem ont hes hi ps .Whet heri twasdonel i ket hat orwhet hers hef l ew acr os s ,wehavenoi dea. ” Regar dl es s ,t heai r cr af ti sr ecor dedasar r i vi ngi n t heUKon9F ebr uar y1944whens hewasi ni t i al l y s t at i onedatRAFL angari nNot t i nghams hi r ewi t h t he 87t hT r oop Car r i erS quadr on,438t hT r oop Car r i erGr oup,53r dT r oopCar r i erWi ng,underI X T r oop Car r i erCommand. J us ta f ew weeks l at er ,on 16Mar ch 1944,t he uni tr el ocat ed t o RAFGr eenham Commoni nBer ks hi r e.
1s tL t .Bi l lAl l i n One man hasa gr eat eraf f i ni t ywi t h hert han mos t .Uponherar r i valatt he87t hT r oopCar r i er S quadr ons hebecamet heai r cr af tof1s tL t .Bi l l Al l i n,a t hen 20s omet hi ng yearol d Amer i can who had gai ned hi s wi ngs i n 1943. Paddy cont i nues : “I hadmetMar kEdwar dsbyt hen,whowas ,and s t i l l i s ,myengi neer ,ands ethi mt het as koft r yi ng t os our ce an ai r cr af tand,af t erqui t eaf ew di s appoi nt ment s ,hecameacr os st hi sonet hat wasatt hatt i me i nt he des er tatT ucs on –at Mar ana –and s o he wentt os ee i tand came backands ai d,‘ Yeah,t hi si sagoodone.I t ’ sgot al l youwant ,bul l ethol es ,t hel ot ! ’T hemor ewe wenti nt ot he hi s t or y,t he mor ei nt er es t i ng i t becameandi tt ur nedoutt hati twast heonet o buy. It hi nk‘ Dr ag‘ EmOot ’waspr obabl yt he t ent hort wel f t hai r cr af twel ookedat . “
“Bi l l Al l i nt ookovert heai r cr af twheni tar r i vedat t he s quadr on. He wast hent r ai ned t o us et he pi ckup gearand i ns t r uct ed i nt heUKongl i der r ecover y.Hehadherf r om F ebr uar y’ 44t hr ough unt i laboutAugus toft hatyear .Att hatt i me,a numberoft hes quadr onf l ew t oI t al yt ot akepar t i nOper at i onDr agoon,whi chwast he i nvas i on oft he s out h ofF r ance. Becaus et hi shad t he Model 80pi ckupgearoni t ,i twasl ef tbehi ndi n t he UK. Dr agoon wasa par achut e oper at i on and ‘ Dr ag‘ EmOot ’ was not a par achut e ai r cr af t . ”
S oon af t e s ome cor t hebond
“T hef i r s tt wi t hmev you’ vej us was t hen i nf or mat i o s omeoft h abl et ona
Reuni t e
“Hes ai dh f l ew back F al l si nMo own ai r c Was hi ngt o t heymet and ever s t andi ng emot i ona bes i dehi m boar dan and f l ew C47s i nce
“L at er ,as acr os st o DDaydr o andf l ew
Bi l l ,i tt r an onDDay
“Bi l l vol u oper at i on knew he t ot akep El mi r a) . vol unt eer di d.T he8 f amouss q onDDay of ff r om G t hi ckofi t ,
f t erPaddy had acqui r ed her ,he r ecei ved or r es pondence t hatwoul dr eal l ys t r engt hen dhehadwi t hhi snew pr i deandj oy:
tt i meImetBi l lwaswhenhi ss ongoti nt ouch vi aemai l ands ai d,‘ J us tt ol etyouknow,I t hi nk j us tpur chas edmyf at her ’ sDDayai r cr af t ’ .He en abl et o pr ovi de us wi t h qui t eal otof t i on,i ncl udi ng t he phot ogr aph ofhi m wi t h ft hecr ew s t andi ngi nf r ont ,whi chhewast hen namef orme.
i t ed
he’ dl i ket os eet hepl aneagai n,s owhenwe ckt ot heUKf r om Ar i z ona,hemetusatGr eat ont ana,andatt hatt i mehewass t i l l f l yi nghi s i r cr af t . He and hi ss on f l ew over f r om t onS t at e,nearS eat t l e,wher et heyl i ved,and tusatt heai r f i el d.I nevi t abl yt heT Vandpr es s er ybodywer et her e,and hewass t ood t her e, g t o at t ent i on when we t ax i ed i n; VERY al . He’ d gotanot herar my buddy ofhi s hi m. S owes ai d,‘ woul d youl i ket ocomeon ndf l yi t ?’Hecamei n,s ati nt hel ef t hands eat wt he ai r cr af t–t he f i r s tt i me he’ d beenona ce1945!
asat r i but e,Ii nvi t edhi m andhi swi f et ocome o Nor mandys ot hathe coul dj oi n usf ort he r ops .Hecameoverandbr oughthi sgr ands on t heai r cr af tovert hel andi ngz ones ! ”
ns pi r ed,had beeni nvol ved wi t ht womi s s i ons y,oneofwhi chwasi n“Dr ag‘ EmOot ” :
l unt eer ed t o act as copi l ot f or t he f i r s t on–t hepar a oper at i on( Mi s s i onAl bany) .He ecoul dn’ tf l yDr ag‘ EmOotass hewasgoi ng par ti nt hegl i derop i nt heaf t er noon( Mi s s i on S o,bei ng a gungho s or tofa bl oke,he er ed t of l yheri nt he mor ni ng,whi chhe dul y 87t h,3X,whi chi st heonewe’ vegot ,i saver y s quadr onbecaus ei twast he l ead s quadr on y–t he one t hatGener alEi s enhowerwaved Gr eenham Common.Bi l l want edt obei nt he i t ,s ohewant edt obei nt hef i r s tdr op. Above & Opposi t e -Some oft he ar t wor k di spl ayed i nsi de“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”t oday ( Kar lDr age)
“Ias kedhi mi fhe’ ds uf f er edanydamageandhe s ai d‘ No,t heonl yi nj ur i eswehad wer ewhenwe wer ef l yi ngovert heDZ .T her ewass omucht r acer comi ng up and f l ak,and atone s t age i twass o cl os et hatbot ht he pi l otand Il eaned qui ckl y i nwar dst owar dst he t hr ot t l ess i mul t aneous l yand we cr acked headsagai ns teach ot her . We l i s t enedt oal lt hi st r acerandf l akbutal lwecoul d s ee wass t ar s !T hatwast he onl y damage we s uf f er edonDDay! ‘ “
T he‘ Snat ch’ T he i nf or mat i on t hatPaddy wasabl et o gl ean f r om Bi l l , t he man who had been “Dr ag‘ EmOot ’ s ”cus t odi anf orar guabl yt hemos t i nt er es t i ng par tofherl ong and i l l us t r i ousf l yi ng car eer ,wasj us tpr i cel es s .Notonl ywasBi l l abl et o t el lPaddyabouts omeoft heoper at i onst het wo wer ei nvol ved wi t ht oget her ,hewasal s oabl et o ex pl ai nj us thow t heModel 80gearwasus ed:
Above-Fl yi ngovert hel ushgr eenf i el dsi nt heLee-
“T hes nat chwasahi ghl ys ki l l eddi s ci pl i nebecaus e i ti nevi t abl yi nvol ved a hi ghs peed pas sofabout 120 knot s .T he pi ckup oft he gl i deri t s el f–t he WACOst hatt heywer er et r i evi ng –t henr educed t heDakot a’ ss peedbackt oabout90knot s .T hen, ast heWACO becameai r bor neagai n,t hes peed pi ckedupandt heywer eabl et ot oolt hem back t o Engl and and r el eas et hem overt he ai r f i el ds . T heygl i ded i n and t he Dakot a came i n wi t hi t s ar r es t orhookand ever yt hi ng s t i l li n pl ace. T he t hi ng t hatmade i tal lpos s i bl e wast hi senor mous bungeer opeont hef r ontoft heWACO;t hatwas t he t hi ng t hatal l owed t he accel er at i on atan i ncr eas i ng r at e r at her t han j us t an i ns t ant connect i on,whi chwoul d havej us ts mas hed i ti n ani ns t ant . “T hegener al vi ew wast hati fyoucoul dact ual l yf l y at t he r i ght hei ght s ot hat t he ar r es t orhook connect ed wi t ht he goal pos t s ,you wer e home anddr y,becaus eyouwer et henappl yi ngal otof powerasyout ookup t hes t r ai nt ot r yand make s ur ei tdi dn’ tdr op youbel ow 90knot s–It hi nki t wasabi thai r yi naDC3bel ow 90knot sandatj us t 20f eetabovet hegr ound! ”
Above-Thel i ght houseatSt .Cat her i ne’ sPoi nt ,I sl e “ Dr ag’ EmOot ”asaf eonwar dj our neyt oFr ancef or
eont heSol entci r cui t( Kar lDr age)
l eofWhi t e,pr ovi dest hebackdr opt ot hi ssceneaswebi d rherf i r stDDayeventpar adr opof2012 ( Kar lDr age)
Bi l lwaseven abl et o pas son an aut hent i c mement o oft hi sper i od oft he ai r cr af t ’ scar eer t oPaddy: “Hekeptoneofhi st ops ecr etor der s-youknow, al lt he coor di nat es ,t he I D col our soft he day andal l t hats or tofs t uf f-s endi nghi mt oapl ace cal l ed I s i gnys ur Mer , whi ch i s near S ai nt eMèr eÉgl i s e–t hel andi nggr oundt her e– t o pi ck up a gl i der . He’ d ver y ki ndl y had i t f r amedandgavei tt ome. ”
L i f eaf t erBi l l Des pi t e Bi l l ’ sas s oci at i on wi t h “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” endi ngi nAugus t1944,t hatwasnott heendof t he ai r cr af t ’ swar t i me i nvol vement ,al bei ti tdi d s i gnal t heendofhert i mewi t ht heUS AAF .On2 S ept embers hewast r ans f er r ed t ot heRoyalAi r F or ceasT S 422,wasdes i gnat edasaDakot aMk 3i nt he pr oces s ,and wasas s i gned t o No. 1 Heavy Gl i der S er vi ci ng Uni t at Net her avon, Wi l t s hi r e,aspar tofNo. 38Ai r bor neF or cesGr oup. Aswel l asbei ngut i l i s edi nt hedel i ver yofWACO, Hor s a and Hadr i an as s aul tgl i der st o ai r f i el ds ar ound t he UK ahead ofOper at i onsMar ket Gar den ( 1725 S ept ember 1944) – t he f i r s t , ul t i mat el y uns ucces s f ulat t empt t o cr os st he Rhi ne -and,l at er ,Oper at i on Var s i t y( 24Mach 1945)–t he s ucces s f ulf ol l owup -s he wasal s o di r ect l yi nvol vedi nt hef or meroper at i onher s el f . T ot hi sver ydayt he ai r f r ame i ss mat t er ed wi t h r emi nder s of her act i ve s er vi ce, wi t hs ome f or t yodd pat cheswher e bul l et spi er ced her s ki n,i ncl udi ng one par t i cul ar l ynot ewor t hyone i nt hebackoft hepi l ot ’ ss eat !T hehol esi nt he nos ear ebel i evedt ohavebeencaus edbyan at t ack f r om above –pr es umabl ya L uf t waf f e f i ght er–whi l et hos ei nt hebel l yar egener al l yof l ar ge cal i br e, i ndi cat i ng gr oundbas ed ant i ai r cr af tf i r e.T hemaj or i t yoft hedamagei s bel i eved t o have been i nf l i ct ed dur i ng t he Oper at i onMar ketGar denef f or t soverAr nhem.
Mai n -Nott hebeachesofNor mandy,butt hose
I n Augus t of 1945, “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” was t r ans f er r ed t o No. 435 S quadr on oft he Royal Canadi anAi rF or ce,bas edatDownAmpneyi n Gl ouces t er s hi r e. Remai ni ng underRAFcont r ol , s hewasempl oyedi nt hef er r yi ngofbot ht r oops andf r ei ghtar oundEur ope,unt i l Apr i l 1946when s he wasf or mal l y handed overt ot he Royal Canadi anAi rF or ceandmadet hel engt hyt r ek backacr os st heAt l ant i c. Des pi t enol ongeroper at i ngovert heEur opean bat t l ef i el ds ,t he r ol est hatT S 422wast as ked t o per f or m cont i nued t o be bot h var i ed and i nt er es t i ng. Amongs tt he mos tex ci t i ng wer e s ear chandr es cueandmedevacmi s s i ons ,wi t h t he ai r cr af tmodi f i ed t o car r ys ki sand r ocket packsf orj et as s i s t edt akeof f sabovet heAr ct i c Ci r cl ei n Canada’ sf arnor t h. I ndeed,i twas whi l s t empl oyed i nt he l at t err ol es t hat t he ai r cr af twasf i t t edwi t ha‘ s uncompas s ’ ,duet o t he cl os e pr ox i mi t yofi t sar ea ofoper at i onst o t heNor t hPol e.
Mar kEdwar dsofAi r Vent ur eL t dr es t or ed hert o f l yi ng condi t i on i n T ucs on, Ar i z ona, bef or e N5831B embar ked upon a 5, 500 mi l ej our ney backacr os st heAt l ant i ci nMay2005,l andi ngat L i ver pool af t ers ome34andahal fhour soff l i ght t i me. T hatyear ,Paddy,hernew owner ,deci ded t o r er egi s t erher ,i ni t i al l yr es er vi ngN747PG,bef or e s et t l i ng upons omet hi ng he f el twasa l otmor e appr opr i at e:N473DC,on accountoft he f act t hats he wasa C47,became a DC3and s he wasaDougl asCommer ci al pr oduct . S o,af t erf ur t herper i odsofr es t or at i on atNor t h Weal d and l at er RAF Chur ch F ent on, “Dr ag‘ EmOot ”s t ar t ed t o appearatai r s hows and t ake par ti ncommemor at i ve Wor l d War2 event s . Ias ked Paddyi ft he l at t erhad been par toft hepl anal l al ong:
“I t was n’ t s omet hi ng I ’ d r eal l y t houghtaboutwhen Iboughtt he T S 422 cont i nued t os er ve admi r abl yunt i l1966 Dakot a.F i r s tofal l we’ dobvi ous l ygot whens hewasr el eas edf r om Royal Canadi anAi r t odeci dewhatl i ver yt oputi ti n,f r om F or ces er vi ceandmadeavai l abl ef orpur chas e a wi de choi ce. Ofcour s e,Icoul d ont heci vi l mar ket . havegoneDDay,I coul dhavegone f ort he RoyalAi rF or ce,orIcoul d have r eal l yhad a f l yerand puti ti n t hel ovel ypos t War ,RoyalCanadi an Ci vi l i anOwner s hi p Ai rF or cecol our s ,wi t ht hel i ght ni ngs t r i pesdown t he s i de,whi ch woul d have l ooked f ant as t i c. Recl as s i f i ed as a Dougl as DC3C, s he was But ,anyway,becaus eI ’ d metBi l land Ihad al l r egi s t er ed asCF KAZ( whi chwasl at ermodi f i ed t he det ai l s and t he phot ogr aph,i tbecame t o CF KAZ ) , and oper at ed a var i et y of r eal l yabi tofanobr ai nert ogobacki nt oDDay pas s engerandf r ei ghts er vi cesf orawhol ehos t col our s . ofoper at or sunt i lF ebr uar y1985whens he was s ol dt o an Amer i can buyer ,Ai rS i es t aI nc of “Once I ’ d gone down t hatr out e,i tbecame McAl l en,T ex as ,andpl acedont heUSr egi s t eras appar entt hatt her ewer egr oupst hatwi s hedt o N5831B. L es st han f our mont hs l at er s he j ump outofi t .T onyHol den,who Iment i oned changedhandsagai nbef or ebei ngpl acedi nt o ear l i er ,haddoneahugeamountofpar achut e s t or ageatt hes amel ocat i onf oradecade. r eenact ment dur i ng t he t i me he’ d had ‘ F i f i Kat e’ ,andI cameacr os sapi l otcal l edPet er Whenherf l yi ngcar eerwasf i nal l yr es ur r ect edi n Kuyper swho goti nt ouch wi t h usand s ai d, 1995,i twasasa pur ef r ei ght er ,f l yi ng car go ‘ L ook,It hi nkt hi si ss omet hi ng,i fyou’ dl i ke,t hat ar ound t he s out her nS t at es f orMcNeel y Ai r you’ dbeabl et ogeti nvol vedi n. ’He’ ddonea Char t erunt i l2001. S he pas s ed t hr ough one l otoff l yi ngf orT onyands ohecameonboar d, mor es etofhandsbef or ePaddyboughtheri n and t he gr oupss t ar t ed t o come outoft he 2004. woodwor k,and t hen,bef or e you knew i t ,you
eont hedepar t ur et r ackf r om Leeont heSol entas“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”r out esoutt owar dst heI sl eofWhi t e( Kar lDr age)
wer ef l yi ngt oNor mandyandt hent oAr nhem! “
Par achut i ng Huber tAcht en i sa Dut chman l i vi ng i nF r ance. Aswel l asbei ngPr es i dentoft heRoundCanopy Par achut i ng T eam,he act ed asJ umpMas t er f ors ome oft hi syear ’ scommemor at i onsand, I ’ m t ol d,wast he dr i vi ng f or ce i n ens ur i ng al l per mi s s i ons wer e gr ant ed f r om t he r el evant aut hor i t i es ahead oft he event– s omet hi ng whi chpr ovedt obenos mal l under t aki ng: “I thasbeenaver ycompl i cat edt as kt ogett he aut hor i s at i ont omaket hi sf l i ght .I nf actt hemos t di f f i cul tpar twast ogett he‘ ai r wor kper mi t ’f r om t he F r ench aut hor i t i es s o t hat we wer e aut hor i s edt odr oppar achut i s t s .T her ul eshave r ecent l ychangedi n F r ance r egar di ng authori sati ons. S i nce we us e an Amer i canr egi s t er ed ai r cr af t ,Ineeded t o obt ai n t he Ai r cr af t Oper at i onPer mi t .
J umpMast er ,Pet erBr aun,peer soutoft hepar adoor i n ant i ci pat i on as t he dr op zone appr oaches ( Lyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages)
i mmi gr at i on f r om t he par adr op on t he l eg of t hej our neyf r om L eeont heS ol ent ,wi t hs peci al di s pens at i onr equi r edt opar achut ei nt oF r ance wi t hout f or mal l y pas s i ng t hr ough t he bor der cont r ol sf i r s t :
“T he cus t omspar twasonl y a mi nordet ai li n compar i s on t ot he t r oubl esment i oned bef or e. F r om t he ver ybegi nni ng ofmypr oj ectIvi s i t ed “I ’ ve been wor ki ng t hecus t omsaut hor i t i est os ubmi tmypl an,andI har d f or mont hs gott hef or mal aut hor i s at i onpr et t yf as t .T heonl y ( pl anni ng s t ar t ed i n condi t i onwast hatweneededt os ubmi tcopi es J une2011)t ogetal l ofal lpas s por t sandI Dsaf ew weeksbef or et he t he paper wor k j umps ,al ongwi t ht heoper at i onsper mi t . s t r ai ght ened up i ncl udi ng ai r wor t hi nes s cer t i f i cat es ,annual s ,i ns ur ances ,conf i r mat i onof “F r om t i me t o t i me I cal l ed t he cus t oms pi l ot s ’F AA l i cens esbyt heF r enchaer onaut i cal aut hor i t i est or emi nd t hem t hatt he per mi t ss t i l l aut hor i t i es ,r ewr i t i ng and appr oval sofour74 hadn’ tbeen i s s ued,and If i nal l yr ecei ved t he pages of S OPs ( S t andar d Oper at i ng aut hor i s at i onsj us toneweekbef or et hej umps . Pr ocedur es )et c. “Due t o my numer ous cont act s wi t h t he “Ami dal lt hi sadmi ni s t r at i vepuz z l i ng,i tbecame cus t oms ,t heys t ar t ed l i ki ng t he chal l enge and cl eart hatbei ng cons i der ed asa USt eam was s har ed t he s ame s us pens et hatIdi d! When I t hemos tconveni entwayt obeaccept edasan f i nal l ygott heaut hor i s at i ons ,I mett hem hal f way “oper at or ” r eques t i ng t hi s Ex cept i onal f r om t hei rof f i ce atCher bour g Ai r por twher e Oper at i onPer mi t . ” t hey s t amped and s i gned t he aut hor i s at i on. Amus i ngl y,one oft he cus t omsof f i cer si snow Wi t hei ghtnat i onal i t i esonboar d,t her ewasal s o act ual l ycons i der i ng j umpi ng wi t ht he t eam i n t he s mal l mat t er of cl ear i ng cus t oms and t hef ut ur e! ”
Huber ti squi t e cl earabouthi smot i vat i on f or i nvol ved wi t hs uch event s ,and hi svi ewsar e al mos tunani mous l ybyhi sf el l ow r eenact or s :
“We per f or m Wor l d War2 par achut i ng act i v honourt he par at r ooper s who f ought and d r es t or e Eur ope’ sf r eedom. We do t hi st o r ei nf or cet hememor yoft hepr i cel es sdeedsofv manymadei nor dert or es t or epeace. ”
Cl ear l yt he condi t i onsof2012ar e ver ydi f f er e t hos e “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” woul d have encount e 1944,butj us thow eas yi st oi mmer s e your s el r eenact mentpar adr opsand i magi ne what havebeenl i ket obedoi ngi tf orr eal ,i nwar t i me
“Att hever ymomentwhent heys t ar tt oevacu ai r cr af t ,and t he par achut el i ghtgoesf r om gr een,yes ;ast hathappens ,youar ebacki naw envi r onment .Al mos t , ”Paddys ays .“Andi ti sex i twoul d havebeenex ceptf ort hef actt hatt h nobul l et s comi ng atyou,and no f l ak. T he r eenact ment . A bi tl i ke s ayi ng,you’ r e dr i vi n r es t or edJ eepar oundt hef i el dsofNor mandy;i s was ? No,i t ’ s not ,but i t gi ves you an at r epr es ent at i on of how i tl ooked,even i fi t pr eci s el yhow i twas ,t hankGod.“ Above - One of t he post sunset par adr ops ( Lyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages)
Not cont ent wi t h mi mi cki ng t he dayt i me j u al mos t70year sago,t he t eamsj umpi ng f r om l i ke “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” al s o do s o at ni ght an r el at i vel yl ow al t i t udes ,f ort hatr eal l y aut hen Paddycont i nues :
“T heni ghtdr opsar egoodf un.T hati st henear es goi ngt ogett ohow i twas .T hes el adsar egoo t hey do t hei rr eenact ment s . T hey do dr op t ypi cal l y ar ound a t hous and f eet ,t hough w gonedownasl ow as750/ 800.I ts t i l l does n’ tgi v l otofhangt i me,whi chofcour s ewast hewhol e doi ngi t . ”
F orHuber tandt hepar achut i s t s ,t heex per i ence mor ei nt ens eandr eal l ymes s eswi t ht hes ens es :
Above - Pet er or chest r at es pr oceedi ngs as t he r eenact or s si t pat i ent l yi n ant i ci pat i on of what ’ st o f ol l ow ( Lyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages)
“We t r yt or ecr eat e,ascl os el yaspos s i bl e,t he per f or med dur i ng Wor l d War2. Mos t oft Nor mandywer e af t erdar k. Myf eel i ng about You don’ ts ee much and you s mel lt he appr oachi ng,i ns t eadofs eei ngi t !
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A t r ul y br eat ht aki ng si ght as t hi s par t i cul ar bat ch of r eenact or s depar t s“ Dr ag’ EmOot ” ( Lyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages)
“Ofcour s e,noonei ss hoot i ngatus ,andass uch,ex ceptf or r ecr eat i ngt hej umps ,ouract i onsar enevert obecompar ed wi t ht he val or ousact i onsoft he par at r ooper sdur i ng Wor l d War2. ”
Di s pat cherandL oadmas t er Geof fPel l MBEoper at edast heDi s pat cherandL oadmas t er dur i ng“Dr ag‘ EmOot ’ s ”2012t r avel st oF r ancef orDDay.I n hi spr evi ousl i f e,Geof fs pent32year swi t ht he RoyalNavy bef or er et i r i ng asa Commander . Hi ss peci al i s at i on was mi s s i l esand gunner y,s o how di d a man whos e pr i mar y as s oci at i on wi t h avi at i on wasconcer ned t r yi ng t os hoot t hem downendupont hecr ew oper at i ngaDakot a? “Ibecame i nvol ved wi t h C47si n gener ali n about2002 when we had t he t wo t hatPaddyment i oned come i nt o L eeont he-S ol entf ors t or age.I s t ar t edmypar achut i ngt i me wi t h“F i f i Kat e”( N47F K)i n2004,andt hen,whenT onyHol den deci ded t os el lher ,we f er r i ed heracr os st he At l ant i c. We f l ew hert oJ ohnWayneI nt er nat i onali nL osAngel esi nMay 2006,vi aReykj avi k,andal lt heot herpoi nt s ,f r om L el ys t adi n Hol l and.Al s oi n2006,wepr epar edGDAKKf oraf er r yf l i ght andf l ew hert oL el ys t ad,wher es hei snow. “Ihad a yearof fi n2007and t hen,i n2008,Iwasas ked t o meetPaddyupatDux f or d,att heS ept emberS how,andhe as kedmet of l ywi t hhi m,andI ’ vebeendoi ngs oevers i nce, doi ngt hes amej ob. ” Bel ow -t he wor k oft he Loadmast eri sneverdone! Geof fPel lMBE car r i esoutoneofhi smanydut i esont hegr oundatLee ( Kar lDr age)
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Havi ng s pot t ed Geof ff i ddl i ng wi t ht he ai r f r ame atL eeont heS ol ent andt henover s eei ngt heengi nes t ar t s ,Iwasi nt r i guedt ohearex act l y whathi sr ol eent ai l s : “Gener al Dogs bodywoul dbes ts um i tup! !Iam onl yj oki ng. . . . . .S t r i ct l y s peaki ng Iam t he l i nkbet ween t he J umpmas t erand t he cockpi t . I ni t i al l yIas s i s twi t ht he l oadi ng oft he par asand al s o br i eft hem on emer gencydr i l l spr i ort ot akeof f .Oncei nf l i ght ,I r el ayr eques t s / or der s bet weenJ umpmas t erandCockpi tand,i nt hef i nals t agesofaj ump, pas scour s echangesand hei ghtchangest ot hecockpi t .Ial s ogi ve t hecockpi tar unni ngcomment ar yofwhati sgoi ngondownt heback end! T heyknow when we ar es t andi ng up ( ast he ai r cr af tmoves not i ceabl y) ,hooki ng up,whengearchecksar ecompl et e,whenwe ar ei nt hedoor way,s t andi ngbyandt henj umpi ng,asatt hi ss t aget he changeofwei ghtdi s t r i but i onandt hebuf f et i ngcaus edbyt hej umper s ex i t i ngt hedooraf f ect st heai r cr af thandl i ng. I t heni nf or mt hem when t heyar e cl eart o manoeuvr et he ai r cr af taf t ereach s t i ck. Ourf i r s t pr i or i t ybef or e we s t ar tt o banki st or ecovert he s t at i cl i nesand al s o checkt hatwehavenohangups .Iam al s or es pons i bl ef ormanagi ng ( al ong wi t ht he j umpmas t er ) any emer genci es whet hert hey be ai r cr af t gener at ed ( f i r e,cont r olpr obl ems et c) orpar agener at ed ( chut esdepl oyi ngi ns i det heai r cr af t ,par ascaughtont het ai l et c) .
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“I naddi t i on,i namor egener al r ol e,I dot hef uel andoi l di ps ,checkf or wat eri nt hef uel ( andt henbr i eft hepi l ot i ncommandofhi squant i t i es and s o on) ,s ecur eanycar go/ baggage,br i efpas s enger s ,as s i s twi t h gus tl ocks ,gearpi nset candal s os uper vi s eengi nes t ar t sf r om out s i de t heai r cr af t .Whent hi ngsdi edownt oa dul lr oarIal s opi ckupa r ag andcl eant het hi ng!Addi t i onal l y,I mai nt ai nt hef l i ghtl og-t i mes ,POB, def ect set c.Dur i ngt hedowns eas on,Ihel pwi t ht he' annual ' aswel l ! ” j ump
Bel ow -Huber t ’ sRoundCanopyPar achut eTeam l i nesuppr i ort oboar di ng t heai r cr af taheadoft hei r“ Oper at i onFl at bush”j ump ( Kar lDr age)
Des pi t et he l ack ofi ncomi ng pr oj ect i l esf r om bot h above and bel ow dur i ng t he r eenact mentf l i ght s , s af et yi sofcour s es t i l l par amount ,asGeof fex pl ai ns : “Onceyous t ar tt hepar achut i ngr uns ,al t houghi ti sa ver yenj oyabl eex per i encef oral l ofus–wel ovedoi ng i t– i t ’ sa pr i vi l ege t o be abl et o do i tf r om t hat par t i cul arai r cr af t–oranyai r cr af toft hatvi nt age–but t hi ngsar er unona ver yt i ght ,ex t r emel ypr of es s i onal bas i s .Weal lknow ourj obs ,weal lknow whatwe’ ve gott o do,and,once l i ves ar ei nvol ved,i tr eal l y concent r at est he mi nd. We have t o be car ef uland f ol l ow t hedr i l l s–andwepr act i ceouremer gencydr i l l s aswel l –butoncet heguyss t ar tgoi ngout ,your eal i s e how s er i ousabus i nes si ti s . ”
DDayCommemor at i ons2012 Ias ked Geof ft ot el lme about t he event st hat “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” par t i ci pat ed i n dur i ng t hi s year ’ s DDaycommemor at i ons : “Whenwe l ef tyouatL eeont heS ol ent( 1J une) ,we t ookt heor i gi nal r out e,mor eorl es s ,t hatt hey’ dus edi n 1944 overt he ChannelI s l ands . T hen we t ur ned eas t war dsovert he Cher bour g peni ns ul a,dr opped t hes epeopl eatadr opz onecal l edHi es vi l l e( wher et he 101s tAi r bor neDi vi s i onhadl anded) ,whi chi sj us tt ot he s out h eas t of S ai nt eMèr eÉgl i s e –t he f i r s tt own l i ber at ed byt heal l i eson6J une1944–and wet hen r ecover edi nt oCher bour g,whi chwasourbas e. “L at eron t he F r i dayni ght ,at2200,we di d anot her dr op us i ng t he s ame gr oup ( Huber t ’ sRound Canopy Par achut eT eam) .Ont heS at ur daymor ni ng wef l ew downt oCaen;wedi dt wos or t i esoutoft her ewi t ht he Br i t i s hPat hf i nder s . We t henf l ew backt o Cher bour g and di dt wo j umpswi t ht he L i ber t yJ ump T eam,and t henonS undaywedi danot heronear oundl uncht i me upatCher bour gandanot heronei nt heeveni ngwi t h t heL i ber t yJ umpT eam agai n.Wedi doneonMonday ni ght ,T ues daywascancel l ed becaus et he weat her wasont hedeck,s ameonWednes daymor ni ng,s owe f l ew backacr os st heChannel andi nt oL eeagai n,di d a ci r cui tand bumps ,and t hen anot herci r cui tand bumpsatDux f or d,bef or ecar r yi ngonbackupt oEas t Ki r kby,wher es hei snow.
A ver ypr oudgr oupofr eenact or sposei nf r ontof
“Weat heras i de i twasa good week. W dr opsoutoft hepl anned 12.S er vi ceabi l i t y t heai r cr af tr anl i keas ewi ngmachi ne. S h ofwor kdoneonheri nt hewi nt er ,and we t hathasbeenwor ki ng t oget herf ora l ong us et woDut chpi l ot s ,acoupl eofUKpi l ot sa t heymi xand mat ch,asyou know;peopl Dodd,J onCor l ey,Pet erKuyper swhof l i est h Chr i s( Goez i nne) ,who wasf l yi ng wi t h us We’ veal lbeenwor ki ng f oraboutei ghtor t oget her ,s oweknow how eachot herope
Aswel laspayi ng met i cul ousat t ent i on t o r egar dt ot he aut hor i s at i on pr oces s ,Hube CanopyPar achut i ngT eam gaves i mi l arco t ot hel ocat i onsoft hei rj umps :
of“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”pr i ort omaki ngacommemor at i vej ump ( Lyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages)
We di d ni ne l i t ywasf i nehehadal ot e’ r ea t eam ng t i me. We saswel l ,and pl el i ke J ohn t heB17and ust hi st i me. orni neyear s er at es . ”
o det ai lwi t h ber t ’ sRound ons i der at i on
1J uneOper at i on“ F l at bus h” Cr os schannel f l i ght& dr op U. K–DZC Hi es vi l l e T hi si sf oral i mi t ednumberofj umper s( 20) ; F ort hef i r s tt i mei nhi s t or y, RCPTwi l l t akeof ff r om t heU. Kandwi l l f ol l ow t heex act r out easf l ownt he5J une1944byt het r oopcar r i ers t r eam pr i ort ot hei rdr opson Nor mandy. T akeof f :L eeont heS ol entAi r f i el d,UK,f l ys out ht oas s embl ypoi ntcodenamed “F l at bus h” f l ys out hwes tovert he channel ,make a s har pl ef tt ur nt ot he s out heas tand f l y bet ween t he ChannelI s l andsGuer ns ey and Al der ney, appr oacht heCot ent i ncoas tatPor t bai l andt ur nt oDr opZ oneC.
1J uneOper at i on“ Maxwel lT ayl or ” Hi es vi l l eJ ump( f r om Mauper t us / Cher bour g)Af t er2200 DZC Hi es vi l l e Af t erwat chi ngt heCr os schannel dr op,s econdl oadwi l l depar tbybusf r om t heHi es vi l l e DZt oMauper t usAi r por tandembar kt heai r cr af tf ort hes econddr oponDZ“C” . Hi s t or y:T het i nyl i t t l evi l l ageofHi es vi l l ei sf oundr i ghti nt hemi ddl eoft heAmer i can101s t Ai r bor ne Di vi s i onDr op Z one and wast o become t he mai nhub ofoper at i onsf ort he 101s tAi r bor neDi vi s i on.T hear eawaseas i l ys ecur edear l yonDDaymor ni ngagai ns tl i ght Ger man r es i s t ance.Howeveronce Gener alT ayl orwasi nf or med t hatt her e wasno cont actwi t hhi suni t sdes i gnat ed t os ecur eEx i t s1and 2,t het wos out her nmos tr oads l eadi ngi nl and f r om Ut ahBeach,hegat her ed t hef i ght i ngt r oopst hathad as s embl ed nearhi sHeadQuar t er sar ea.
3J uneOper at i on“ Meehan“ Beuz evi l l eauPl ai nJ ump 1930l ocal T hes ej umpswi l lbe per f or med i n memor y oft hos e aboar dt he downed C47 at Beuz evi l l eauPl ai n.Acer emonywi l l behel datt heBeuz evi l l eauPl ai nmemor i al af t ert he j umps ,wi t ht heMayorandt owncounci l . Hi s t or y:T het r ans f erofCapt ai nS obel cr eat edal eader s hi pvoi di n“Eas yCompany”and t hehi gher upschoos eF i r s tL i eut enantMeehant oas s umecommand.Ont heeveni ngof J une5t h,1944,1s tL TT homasMeehanboar dedt heC47oft hei rf or mat i on,pl ane#66 al ongwi t ht hecompany’ ss t af fmadeupof16par at r ooper sandt hef l ew cr ew off i ve. T he pl ane washi tbyGer man gr ound f i r e nearS tMèr e Egl i s e and cr as hed i nt ot he gr oundatBeuz evi l l eauPl ai n.
4J uneOper at i on“ T i mmesOr char d” Amf r evi l l eJ ump 1600l ocal DZ“T ” J ump commemor at i ng t he f i er ce f i ght i ng ofbel eaguer ed el ement soft he 507t hPI R, 508t hPI Rand325t hGI Roft he82ndAi r bor neDi vi s i onl andedwes toft her i verMer der et . Ourj umpwi l lbees peci al l ydedi cat edt ot hecommanderoft he507t h’ s2ndBat t al i on, L t .Col .Char l esT i mmes .J umponi nvi t eoft heU. SNor mandyAs s n. Hi s t or y:L t .Col .Char l esT i mmeswasdr opped about02. 30hour sonDDayand near l y dr owned i nt he f l ooded meadow bet ween s ome or char ds near by t he t own of Amf r evi l l e,butmanagedt ohol dhi spos i t i onami dofat t acki ngGer mansf orf ourdays . ” Al li magest hi spageandopposi t eLyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages
ADi f
One t h r eena t he gr o t r oops “Dr agt ot hei cr i t i ci s m
“Unque j umpi n Comm oft he t r oops , gr ound enoug wher e wi t ht h wi t hi nt I fyoul aer i al s r ecei ve dr op. t heys h f l yi ng i haven s t i l li na F r ench ofyou l otofc wer ep t het r o known eas ya
Oneo t he a adven “Dr ag-
“When pr ogr a and t h depar t hour s ver s i on on;t he
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t hi ng Paddyhashad af f i r med f r om wi t nes s i ng t he act mentdr opsf i r s thand,bot hf r om t heai rand on r ound,i sa genui ne s ens e ofr es pectf orbot ht he swhowoul dl auncht hems el vesf r om ai r cr af ts uchas g‘ EmOot ”andt hecr ewschar gedwi t hf l yi ngt hem ei rt ar get s ,des pi t et hef actt hatt heyr ecei vedmuch i s m att het i me:
ues t i onabl y,t hes echapswer ei mmens el ybr ave,j us t i ng outi nt ot heni ght .Ofcour s e,t heT r oop Car r i er mandpi l ot sdi dgetal otofs t i ckatt het i mebecaus e ef actt hatt her ewast hi swi dedi s bur s ementoft he s ,butt her e wer es o manyr eas onsf ori t ;weat her , ndat t ackandt heappal l i ngpr obl em ofnothavi ng gh t r ans mi t t er son t he gr ound t ot el lt he ai r cr af t r et of l yt o.T hePat hf i nder swer es uppos ed t ogoi n t hei rEur ekas et st ogui det hemai nai r bor nef or cet o nt heopt i mum vi s ual r angef oranaccur at edel i ver y. ul ookatt heDC3,t hey’ vegott hes er owsofl i keT V l s ,known as Rebecca,on t he f r ont ;t hey’ r et o i vet hes i gnal sf r om t hegr oundt ot el l t hem wher et o .T hes ewer en’ t ,unf or t unat el y,near l yasef f ect i veas s houl d have been,s oi fyou t hi nkabouti t ,you’ r e i nabs ol ut epi t chbl ack,i nappal l i ng weat her ,you noi deaofwher eyourot herai r cr af tar eori fyou’ r e anechel on,and youknow you’ r e goi ng overt he hCoas tandyou’ r edes per at el yj us tt r yi ngt ogetr i d url oad.I nevi t abl y,wi t hcondi t i onsast heywer e,a fchapswer edr oppedi nt hewr ongpl ace.T heboys pr et t ybi t t eraboutt hi sand t her ewasa bel i eft hat r oopcar r i erpi l ot ss houl dhaves t ayedoncour s eand n bet t erwher et heywer e,buti twas n’ tnear l yas ast hat . ”
ofPaddy’ sr egul arpi l ot s ,Chr i sGoez i nne,capt ai ned ai r cr af t on i t s 2012 DDay commemor at i on nt ur e, and I as ked hi m how navi gat i on i n g‘ EmOot ”t odaycompar edwi t hbacki nt he1940s :
en f l yi ng t he DC3t oday Ius e my Gar mi n GPS r ammedwi t ht hewaypoi nt sf ort her out et obef l own t he coor di nat es of t he dr opz one. When we r t edL eeonS ol enton1J unei tt ookoneandahal f st o gett ot he dr op z one,f ol l owi ng a s hor t ened onoft heor i gi nal ‘ El mi r a’r out e.Wi t hGPSyouj us tgo heGPSkeepsyouont r ack.
A vi ew t hatwoul dhavebeenpar t i cul ar l yf ami l i art t hegl i derpi l ot sofWor l dWar2 ( Kar lDr age)
“Backi n1944overt hes ea,orbl acked outEur ope f ort hatmat t er ,t heyhad t oaccur at el yf l yheadi ng and t i me ver s usdi s t ance i n or dert o gett ot he t ar get . T hatmanyaer opl anesf oundorgotver ynear t hei rt ar get at al li sa r emar kabl e navi gat i onal achi evement . “I ti sal s oknownt hatbas i cal l yduet oweat herqui t e af ew t i mesaer opl aness t r ayed f r om t hei rr out e. T hatwas n’ tapr obl em i n1940or1945,buti fwes t r ay of f our r out e wi t h “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” we mi ght unknowi ngl y geti nt o cont r ol l ed ai r s pace whi ch i s notgr eat l yappr eci at ed!S of orus ,aswel l asmaki ng l i f emuchs i mpl er ,us i ngGPSaddst ot hes af et yoft he f l i ght . ” I nt er es t i ngl y,Chr i st el l smet hathet hi nkst he‘ gl i der s nat ch’t as kt hat“Dr ag‘ EmOot ”per f or med woul d havebeenpopul aramongt hepi l ot soft het i me: “Backher ei nHol l and Ius ed t o do a l otofbanner t owi ng. Pi cki ng up a banneri sa manoeuvr eI enj oyed and It hi nkt hatt he s nat ch r ol e Paddy´ s DC3di d mus thave been a j oyf ort he pi l ot swho f l ew i t . ”
Pr i deandSat i s f act i on T hr oughoutmy chatwi t h Paddy,t he one t hi ng I can’ tgetawayf r om i st hes ens eofpr i dehecl ear l y f eel saboutowni ng t hi spi ece ofl i vi ng hi s t or y,and who can bl ame hi m? I t ’ sver y evi dentt hathe der i vesan enor mouss ens e ofs at i s f act i on f r om hi s i nvol vementwi t ht heai r cr af t : “You don’ tdo i tl i ght l y,i r r es pect i ve oft he f i nance i nvol ved.Oneoft het hi ngsyougetf r om t heDC3i s t henumberofpeopl et hathavegotDakot as t or i es . T hati speopl el ooki ngar oundhert hatf i r s tf l ew i na Dakot at oJ er s ey i n 1965 – t hats or tofs t uf f– t o peopl e whos e dadsand gr anddadsf l ew t hem. I had an ai rs t ewar des s on r ecent l y who, i fI r emember r i ght l y, s he was Der by Ai r ways and s t ar t ed onDakot as . Youhad t hatcur i oust hi ng of wal ki nguphi l l t oyours eat !T hat ’ st hepl eas ur e,and t hevet er ans ,s adl yt her e’ si ncr eas i ngl yf ew oft hem, s o al lt hats i de,yes ,i t ’ sact ual l yqui t eemot i onalt o s eewhatt heDC3meanst oal otofpeopl e. ”
A vet er ani swel comedonboar d ( Lyl eJansma/ Aer oCapt ur eImages)
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Geof fi nt er j ect s : “We f l ew a vet er anoutof Cher bour g whowas95–a guycal l ed J ack Womer–hedr oppedf r om aC47on6J une 1944,It hi nkI ’ mr i ghti ns ayi ng,hef l ew outof Gr eenham Common–asdi d‘ Dr ag‘ EmOot ’ ont hatday.Butno,i t ’ sa gr eatpr i vi l eget o wel comet hes eguysonboar dandj us tl i s t en t ot hei rs t or i es .S omewi l l j us thol dyoui nawe f or15 or20 mi nut es . T hen you s uddenl y r eal i s e,youknow,i t ’ sagr eatpr i vi l eget obe doi ng t hi s but I t hi nk al l of us woul d acknowl edge t hati tmus thave beenawf ul t obes hotat ,t ohaveai r cr af tdr oppi ngoutof t he s ky,bei ng dr opped at400f ti ns t ead of 600,ands oon. ”
St ayi ngi nt heSki es F or t unat el yf orl over sof“Dr ag‘ EmOot ”and Dakot asi n gener al ,s par ess t i l lex i s ti nf ai r l y pl ent i f uls uppl y,ands or obus t l ywast het ype des i gned t hatt her e ar ef ew mai nt enance i s s uest hatcoul df or ceherf r om t hes ki esany t i mes oon,asPaddyex pl ai ns : “T he Dakot a has onl y had one maj or ai r wor t hi nes sdi r ect i ve ( AD)i n 75 year s-a s pari s s ue -wher et her e had been s ome cr acki ngonanear l yone.Youhadt oputa wi ng doubl eri n,buti t ’ samaz i ng t hat ’ st he onl y AD i t ’ sgot . Ot hert han t hat ,i t ’ l lf l y i ndef i ni t el y!
Above-Thef l i ght deckof“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”t oday Bel ow -Theai r cr af t ’ smi l i t ar ycar eer ( bot hKar lDr age)
“I boughtt wonew engi nest woort hr eeyear s ago–webl ew anengi nei nHol l and,l ucki l y wi t honl yt he cr ew onboar d ,t hought hey’ l l f l yal ongqui t ehappi l yononeengi nes ol ong ast her e’ snott oomuchwei ghti nt hem –s oI boughtt wonew,andwhenI s ayt hatI mean compl et el y over haul ed,engi nes .Nor mal l y t heycos tabout£2728, 000each.T oputt hat i nt ocont ex t ,aMer l i nwi l l cos t£125, 000.S o27 or28gr and f oranover haul ed ‘ 1820i sr eal l y notbi gbucks–andyougetal otofbangsf or yourbucks !Asf orot hers par es ,t heybui l tt en andahal ft hous andoft hes et hi ngs ,andt hey wer ef l yi ng ar ound i n qui t el ar ge number s unt i la f ew year sago,s os par esar e nota pr obl em. “
As wi t h s eemi ngl y ever yt hi ng el s e, t hough, ex t er nal i nt er vent i oni si ncr eas i ng: “Redt ape i smaki ng i tmor e di f f i cul t ,wi t houta doubt ,and t he cos tofr unni ng i ti sgoi ng up dr amat i cal l yt oo,becaus e ofcour s e,you’ r e now payi ng £2 perl i t r ef orf uel , ”Paddy s ays . “Webur n400l i t r esanhour ,s oyou’ vegot£800 anhourj us tt oputs omeavgasi ni t ,wi t houtt he cos t of mai nt enance and ever yt hi ng el s e. I ns ur ancei supt o£1718, 000peryearnow,s oi t i saver yex pens i vebeas t ,andI ’ ms ur et her ewi l l comea t i mewher eIhavet os ay,‘ youknow,I can’ taf f or dt okeepdoi ngi t ’ .We’ r enott her e yet ! “
L i ncol ns hi r eAvi at i on Her i t ageCent r e S i nce 2009 “Dr ag‘ EmOot ” has s har ed t he homeofAvr oL ancas t erNX611,“J us tJ ane” ,t hat we f eat ur ed i n I s s ue 7 of Gl obalAvi at i on Magaz i ne. Paddy’ sver y appr eci at i ve oft he hangars paces he’ saf f or dedt her e: “I ’ vebeenver yl uckyi nt er msofwher es hel i ves att he L i ncol ns hi r e Avi at i onHer i t age Cent r e at Eas tKi r kby. T hey’ r e a wonder f ulcus t odi an f or her .S he’ sver ymuchpar toft hef ur ni t ur et her e now andi ti sagr eatpl acet ohavei t .Wewer e atL i ver pooli ni t i al l y and t hen atHumber s i de,
Ther ol l i nggr eenf i el dsoft heI sl eofWi ght ,as“ Dr ag’ EmOot ”makesherwayt owar dsFr ance ( Kar lDr age)
andwe’ veal wayst henhadt of i ndhangar age f ort hewi nt er .And,ofcour s e,i twasex t r emel y di f f i cul tf or anybody t o get acces st o her , wher easatL i ncol ns hi r e’ ,i fyouvi s i tt hemus eum you’ l l be abl e t o wander ar ound ‘ Dr ag‘ EmOot ’ . And i t compl ement st he L ancas t ert her eper f ect l y. “
Remai ni ngDat esf or2012 T her e ar es t i l lpl ent y ofoppor t uni t i es t os ee “Dr ag‘ EmOot ”outandabouti n2012,asGeof f poi nt sout :
“Att he momentourpr ogr amme i st hatwe’ r e doi ng Cos by Ai r s how ( 8/ 9 S ept ember ) , Dux f or d’ sS ept emberS how ( t he s ame daysas Cos by)andt henwe’ r eof ft oAr nhem –bas edat Ei ndhoven–on13S ept emberf orf i ve days ,t o do t he 68t h commemor at i on of Mar ket Gar den. ”
Geof fs umst hi ngsupni cel y: “I t ’ sagr eatt hi ng,wel ovedoi ngi tandwe’ r ef or t unat ei nhavi ngs omeonel i kePaddywhohasgot t hewher ewi t hal t obeabl et oputt heai r cr af tondi s pl ayandt oal l ow ust of l yi ni t . ”
T he aut horext endshi ss i ncer et hankst o Paddy Gr een,Geof fPel lMBE,Chr i sGoez i nne,Huber t Acht en,L yl eJ ans maandl as tbutnotl eas t ,J onBut t s ,f orf l yi ngt hephot os hi pandwi t houtwhom t he oppor t uni t ywoul dneverhavear i s ent obegi nwi t h. I mageKar lDr age