The day started with the chance to capture some of the charter flights in the three Spitfires and general flying activities at the airfield. What a wonderful place Headcorn is, the weather could not be better and eventually after meeting in the brand new WW2 dispersal hut we walked out to Drag-Em-Oot for the briefing and practise. This involved how to join the zip wire from the seating and progress to the load door under the helpful and watchful instruction of the Loadmaster. I had worn slightly inappropriate footwear, sandals to be precise and once this was noticed, rather than sit on the floor to the right hand side of the load door, I was re arranged to standing to the left. From probably the best position in the doorway to the not so good side.
Anyway off we went with Capt Peter Kuypers at the control (Peter is more widely known as one of the B-17 Sally B and a KLM Pilot). The noise in the fuselage is defeating with the two R-1802 Prat and Witneys running at take off and cruise levels. We gained altitude and circled inland from Dover awaiting the fighters. It struck me given my turn to leave the safety of the belted seat, and hook on to the zip wire, how so many did this 75 years ago. It was a moment to remember, it was difficult enough with two cameras strapped to me and the safety harness let alone all the equipment that the 82nd Airborne had to carry from this very Aircraft.
The load master confirmed the Spitfires were just behind us, with Parky of BBMF fame in the lead aircraft. The position in the door way, which I mentioned earlier, caused a few frustrated minutes for me as the Spitfire formation joined us, but being out of my view it seemed an age before all three were in sight. I suspect it wasn’t that long at all, but one of the things with Air to Air photography that I’ve encountered is that you can get, on occasion, limited opportunity to take the pictures desired, so making the most of a clear opportunity is vital. As it turned out we had ample time and opportunity and the chap standing next to me was most helpful in moving so I could get a better angle and vice versa.
We circled just east of Dover over the channel three times taking a pass over the White cliffs each turn. During the contact time with the Spitfires, during one of the passes over the cliffs ,one of my camera’s had majically gone from the selected 1/200th to 1/500th! I suspect this had been caused by the large wheel on the back of the Canon camera being rotated during the time it hung by my side, whilst the other camera was in use. It is after all incredibly cramped with 8 people in the doorway of the Dakota. Fortunately I spotted it after shooting some frames with that setting and reverted back to intended shutter speed.
Having had the opportunity to fill our boots with photograph's we returned to Headcorn.
It was an utterly fantastic flight and one that will long remain in the memory. The opportunity arose from a family celebrating a Special event in the three Spitfires and offered the chance to fly along side them. The chance to go came via a draw of names of the applicants. The Event was organised by COAP and operated by Aero Legends and I’d like to thank them both for their hospitality and the flight.
The day after the flight a friend sent me a link to a photograph on the front page of the Telegraph, was it one of mine, he asked? It could have been, but it wasn’t, it belonged to one of the professional photographer’s utilising the window positions on the port side.
Hope you like the photos and wishing all F.C.’s a very Happy New Year.
Supermarine Spitfire MK IXT NH341 Headcorn 2.6.19 Aero Legends by XWP29, on Flickr
Supermarine Spitfire PV202 MK IXT Headcorn 2.06.19 by XWP29, on Flickr
Supermarine Spitfire MK T.9 SM520 Headcorn 2.6.19 Boultbee by XWP29, on Flickr
Dover Harbour 2.06.19 from Drag em oot DC-3 by XWP29, on Flickr
The Channel Tunnel Rail head at Cheriton by XWP29, on Flickr
Inside DC-3 Dakota 42-0082 Drag-em-oot by XWP29, on Flickr
View from the zip wire looking out of the cargo door of Dakota DC-3 42-00882 Drag em oot by XWP29, on Flickr
Linking up with the Fighters over Dover by XWP29, on Flickr
Spitfire formation over the Channel with France in the distance by XWP29, on Flickr
Spitfire stack over the Channel by XWP29, on Flickr
Spitfire formation and a waving Parky in the lead Spitfire by XWP29, on Flickr
White Cliffs of DoverSupermarine Spitfire MK IXT's NH341, PV202 and MK T.9 SM520 by XWP29, on Flickr
The White Cliffs three ship formation by XWP29, on Flickr
White Cliffs with the right shutter speed by XWP29, on Flickr
Spitfire formation preparing to break by XWP29, on Flickr
Break 1 and run for Headcorn by XWP29, on Flickr
Break 2 and run for Headcorn by XWP29, on Flickr
Break 3 and wave by XWP29, on Flickr
The peel off from the door of the Dakota by XWP29, on Flickr
Landing back at Headcorn after the sortie by XWP29, on Flickr
Douglas Dakota DC-3 (C-47) Skytrain 42-00882 Aero Legands Departs Headcorn 2.06.19 by XWP29, on Flickr
)
