What a beautiful plane. Graphics in Aces High might be pretty good, but it's nothing compared to seeing the real thing.
Danish Championships in skydiving is in progress now, with training jumps this week and competition starting next weekend. It's held at the local DZ so I'm usually out there, trying to sneak up on a lift that isn't full because the silly relative work teams aren't just ready.
Anyway, was walking out to the very neato C-206 (which is a bit roomier than a C-182, although that one with a turbo engine is very nice) when I heard what I thought was a REALLY big Harley Davidson.
And in she taxied. A Norwegian owned DC-3, sun reflecting beautifully from the non painted metallic skin. Those humming engines, that big-ass tail. The characteristic 'hi nose up' position when on all gears. Whooping huge wings just made to exit from. And that.....MUSIC that came from the engines. Sure, turboprops are nice and efficient and sound sorta cool, but they're NOTHING compared to those whatever-they-are monsters on the DC3. And it is BIG. Much larger than I anticipated. And beautiful. And cool. And probably has some extacy air dispenser or something, coz when you see her, you fall in love.
'Oh man'. 'Whoo baby'. 'I want a lift on THAT one mommy!'. '"There's my girlfriend, old but with a great body'. Lots of comments from everyone Dinnae know that skydivers generally also have a fascination with old planes - especially if you can jump from 'em. Felt *nice* to be around people who appreciate such history/beauty - such people are few and far between here. Many of you Yanks have probably seen it a million times and you can go to air museums and see all the cool stuff, but that's not possible here so I take what I can get.
Unfortunately it didn't drop skydivers, although I got some excellent pictures of it which I'll post when they're developed and scanned. The other chaps did NOT understand, however, what I meant when I yelled 'RUN FOR THE MAPROOM!'. Even though I became quite upset and explained we wouldn't get the base capture if they didn't move out. All I got in return were mystified looks on their faces and my sis smugly saying 'all your base are belong to us' followed by a derisive laughter.
I'd pay a lot to just ride that plane. I'd give my body to a Swiss hooker who likes S/M and playing with bodily fluids to actually jump from it. That plane dropped meatbombs during the D-Day invasion. Countless allied soldiers were brought to the front in it. I see footage on Discovery channel when they do WWII stuff. And the S/M part doesn't sound too bad, come to think of it. Knew there was a civilian use for my pink LW leather g-string with metal studs on the inside.
My sister who's also a skydiver with no particular interest for WWII even said 'that is the most beautiful plane I have ever seen', and hearing that from her was not something I expected.
I could go on. I just like that plane - it has character, history and looks that no other plane can rival. Around it stood modern twin engine very effective aircraft, and (since it's a commerical and military airfield) big Boeings and Airbuses. But those planes have nothing on the DC3/C-47.
I don't think humans will ever design a plane with the character, beauty, versatility and strength of the DC3. I am officially in love.
Ohh yeah! On Saturday there's an F-16 display to open the Danish Championships in skydiving! So any Danes reading this; come to Q-faldskærmsscenter at Aalborg airfield for some nice air stunts by military planes and some style/precision/formation skydiving. There'll be food and beer and when girls pack chutes, you get a REALLY good look at their rear section.
/end rant
Oh lastly; anyone got any decent links to info on the DC3/C-47? Have googlerized it some but haven't found any really comprehensive links. Help will be appreciated
