WordPress.com

In Berlin the terrifying sound of massed bombers overhead followed by multiple explosions was to be substituted just three years later, but now for humanitarian reasons by the loud continuous roar of high revving piston engines pulling at full power. The air was saturated by the sound, which continued constantly throughout the night and the day all over the city, and at its height during the Berlin Airlift planes were taking off and landing every 90-seconds. The sky was filled with transport aircraft. The airlift lasted from June 24, 1948 to May 12, 1949. A total of 692 aircraft participated, of which 102 were C-47s, but they were eventually withdrawn due to the slanting floor which caused long unloading times. Aircraft carried over two million tons of food, coal, fuel and other vital supplies to Berlin's 2.2 million inhabitants, making 270,000 flights involving the larger four engined C-54 Skymasters and many other types including converted bombers and some sea planes. During the entire operation 17 American and 7 British planes were lost due to crashes. A missed approach meant returning to your base airfield to try again. To add to the pilots difficulties many were dangerously harried by very close encounters by hostile Russian Mig 15 fighters.

starflight wrote 7 hours ago: … more →

Tags: Aviation, Transport, warbirds, Berlin Air Lift, c-47, the city of aircraft engine noise

Warbird lineup. Pilatus P2-05 G-BJAX as Red 14, cn 600-28, in German Air Force colors, P-40, P51D, and a Spit.

starflight wrote 1 day ago: … more →

Tags: Beautiful bright colours, Aviation, warbirds, WW2, P-40, P51D, Spitfire, Pilatus P2, G-BJAX

Day 2 - Sunday 5th July - Istanbul to Cappadocia

simonpbarlow wrote 1 day ago: Simon has found that the blog was getting a day or two behind as we have a busy schedule from the mo … more →

Tags: Aviation, Beech Bonanza, General Aviation, istanbul, Round The World Flight, turkey

Arlington Fly-in and Sport Aviation Convention

remospilot wrote 2 days ago: REMOS are at the Arlington Fly-in July 8th-12th – so drop by and say hello to Sue and Thomas i … more →

Tags: Aviation, Aviation: LSA, Remos Aircraft Company, adventure, aeroplane, Arlington, arlington fly-in, Convention, flying

History might have been drastically different — 4 comments

shadowwar wrote 2 days ago: I don’t know how many of you are history buffs, or like looking at stuff like this, but a huge … more →

Tags: Rambling, germans, wwii

DC-7 In Europe

PWA Reunion wrote 2 days ago: New slide of a PWA DC-7 probably taken overseas with what looks like a ‘Swissair” DC-8 i … more →

Day 1 - Saturday 4th July - Austria to Istanbul - Part 3 — 1 comment

simonpbarlow wrote 3 days ago: Istanbul Flying Club Istanbul Flying Club The welcome we recieved by the members of the flying club … more →

Tags: airfield, Beech Bonanza, flying, General Aviation, Aviation, istanbul, Istanbul Flying Club, Round The World Flight, Travel

Contaminated airliner air: Flight attendant files lawsuit against Boeing

The Captain wrote 3 days ago: Back in April 2007 flight attendant, Terry Williams, noticed a “misty haze type of smoke … more →

Tags: Fume Events, Health Issues, Boeing, fume event, Terry Williams, tricresyl phosphate

20090704-More Spooks

flynnsblogs wrote 4 days ago: @ 1930PM, a dark blue Scottstrade? copter hovered SW-SJC, faced east. Waved attention signal, made p … more →

Tags: Prose, moblog, Synchronicity, spook, Numerology