Inspiring Photo: Inbound to RAF St Mawgan #14422470

Inbound to RAF St Mawgan

Uploaded: March 29, 2014

Description

DH Dragon Rapide flying into RAF St Mawgan. Lights of Runway 30 can be seen through screen.
Image taken in 2013 on a Classic Air Force museum flight.

Exif: F Number: 5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.67, ExposureTime: 1/160 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 500, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 10.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 50D

Comments

Kalena Randall March 29, 2014

Oh, that looks like it would be a fun ride!
#1568374

Peter W. Marks March 29, 2014

Good morning Kalena. Yes it was and in a way no image can do full justice. It was one of those personal experiences that could best be described as perhaps akin to a fast horseback canter across a dew laden prairie; or straining on the toe-straps as one sits out-board on a sailing dinghy on a broad reach in a stiff breeze. This old WW2 aircraft took me back through decades of memories and sent a quiver through me- body and mind. Every rattle and squeak of its ancient airframe was a metaphor for my life. #11011688

Dale Hardin March 29, 2014

I'm happy as heck for you,Peter. Have always wanted to rent a small plane and take aerial shots. #11011790

Anthony L. Mancuso March 29, 2014

Very cool Peter..I have always been a fan of flying. I'm also impressed with your compelling description of the experience in your response to Kalena...you are a man of many talents! #11011962

Michael Kelly March 29, 2014

I like this one. Tells a great story with the POV you captured. Not sure I would have taken the trip on such a threatening looking day. When I fly with my buddy we wait for a clear wind free day even though he is instrument rated. #11012111

Peter W. Marks March 29, 2014

I really do thank you all so much. This was an image that sat on a Compact Flash disc since last June when we were back in the old country. The images on the disc were mostly RAW only and way too dark looking so I didn't upload them. Now I am so glad I didn't wipe it as this is now a cherished memory of that vacation. My "kid brother" a Boeing 787 1st officer purchased this ride for me as he remembered my stories of flying as a cadet from RAF St Mawgan and as I was born nearly six years before this ancient aircraft was built in 1944 he took delight in pointing out that fact.
Tony. Thank you for that very generous comment. Truth be known, I take greater pleasure in writing than I do in taking phtographs, but tell no one!
Mike, it was touch and go and the flight was delayed for an hour while the front moved through. The flight was quite short and took us out over Newquay and across the bay but very memorable. #11012160

Peter W. Marks March 29, 2014

I thought I must just post and image of the plane. Here it was being pushed out of the hangar but I do assure you that once outside the two engines were started from its own batteries. "Cough, splutter, clunk", a couple of puffs of smoke, and it was "chocks away".
The wartime plane here has been painted in civvy colours and named in memory of Sybille, a lady pilot who flew with this outfit a few years ago but unfortunately was killed in a crash whilst a passenger.

#11012172

Peter W. Marks March 29, 2014

Forgot to enter the number of images before pressing enter. I thought it was only dale who was a bit random with his upload clicking. We try again! #11012173

Dale Hardin March 29, 2014

Thanks for the story, Peter and what a great looking plane! #11012188

Jeff E Jensen March 30, 2014

This is fantastic on so many levels, Peter! Well done! #11012690

Susan Williams March 30, 2014

Very fine work here, Peter -- image, story, and writing. I so look forward to your posts (critiques aside) because of your obvious love for the written word and your wonderful and captivating writing style.

I also applaud your courage to fly again and took your camera along. I like that you included the pilot - most would have been seduced by the landscape and missed the one you got. Nice work. #11013313

Susan Williams March 30, 2014

Teresa H. Hunt March 30, 2014

Wow! Peter what a fantastic adventure. I love flying too. Love your photo! #11013727

Peter W. Marks March 31, 2014

I feel so blessed to have kind friends such as you all(or do I mean in some cases 'distance lends enchantment?)
The image from inside the plane came about through a very untypical action on my part. I am not very competitive by nature but when the group of eight walked across the tarmac to the aircraft I subtlely increased my length of stride to ensure I arrived first and thus ensured first choice of seat and so was up front behind the pilot. Yes, It is knowing when to fight smart not hard that gets results!
At one point while up there at a couple of thousand feet I thought of Dale and had to force myself to refrain from telling the driver chappie that the horizon seemed to be a few degrees off level so perhaps he should pay attention to his instruments. But I lived to tell the tale. #11013846

Dale Hardin March 31, 2014

Peter, how about some technical info on the plane? It's a bit unusual. #11014032

Peter W. Marks March 31, 2014

Glad someone asked! But I am thinking you don't want tire pressures and aileron cable thickness so here's a bit to be going on with old friend.

The De Havilland Dominie was built in the United Kingdom as a military version of the DH 89 Dragon Rapide, an eight-passenger civilian light transport. The DH 89 was first flown in 1934, and by the time production ended about 10 years later, 728 of the small biplane transports had been built. More than 530 Dominies were produced for the Royal Air Force and used in communications, transport and training roles. Six were turned over to the USAAF's Eighth Air Force between 1942 and 1944. They were used primarily by the 27th Transport Group. As far as is known, all Dominies flown by Americans carried RAF serial numbers and no USAAF serial numbers were assigned.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 48 ft.
Length: 34 ft. 6 in.
Height: 10 ft. 3 in.
Weight: 5,550 lbs. loaded
Armament: None
Engines: Two Gypsy Queen 3s of 200 hp each
Crew: One

PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 157 mph
Cruising speed: 132 mph
Range: 578 miles
Service ceiling: 19,500 ft.
#11014063

Dale Hardin March 31, 2014

Thanks, Peter. #11014352

Sherran Andersen April 04, 2014

You're brave. #11017632

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