The famous machine "DC-3" flew to Japan and participated in the experience flight of "Breitling DC-3 World Tour"

Douglas · DC - 3, which was born in 1935, was known as a famous machine that brought about a revolution in the world of air transportation afterwards, and a total of 16,000 aircraft were manufactured. We saved such an aircraft without limit as far as the present state, and how to do it around the world what a "Breitling DC-3 World Tour"Came to Japan. Along with this, there are opportunities to visit valuable aircraft in various places in Japan, and actually have a chance to experience a flight aboard the lottery, but on May 19, an experiencing boarding flight targeting reporters will be held in Kobe Since it was carried out at the airport, I have participated that I can not let you miss this opportunity of one thing and one unique.

EVENT - Breitling DC-3 World Tour | BREITLING
https://www.breitling.co.jp/aviation/event/2017/dc-3/japan-meeting.php

In Breitling DC-3 World Tour, events are held in three cities, Kumamoto, Kobe and Fukushima. Both are the land that experienced the great earthquake disaster, and it is the event that puts the desire to boost recovery. Experience flight and tour at the Sogongjo University airport campus of Kumamoto on 30th April 2017 (Friday, holiday), actual machine exhibition at "Friendship Day" of Air Self Defense Force Iwakuni base on May 5 (Friday, holiday) On Saturday 20th May and Sunday 21st on Sunday, we will experience flight and tour at Kobe Airport · Hirata Gakuen Air Center, and on May 27th (Saturday) we will have experience flight at Fukushima Airport The tour will be held. On May 19, when we finished half of the events in Japan, a trial flight was held for children working in the media and community.

The Hirata Gakuen Air Center in Kobe Airport, which was the venue, is clear. DC-3 painted on a neat breitling color was parked on the hanger.


Unlike modern aircraft, DC-3 with front two wheels and one rear wheel will park in such a posture that the aft side is low. Therefore, when getting onboard, you get to the seat as if you climb up the slope. The aircraft registers are "HB-IRJ".


Three people in charge of this flight were Francisco Aguro Captain (middle), Rafael Fabra Vice-Captain (right), and Shibata Michiru (left), a cabin attendant who hosts guests to board. 48-year-old Aguro captain from Geneva, Switzerland, is an NPO organization that dynamically preserves aircraft such as DC-3Super Constellation Flyers AssociationHe is a veteran pilot who has served as a chief pilot and has many flight experiences.


The moment I get on board the plane.


You do not use a rack in the aircraft, but get on and off using the step integrated with the door.


I've been on an airplane many times so far, but I am nervous so far and I am excited about boarding. When raising and lowering, it is written to step on a step by step.


Shibata, a cabin attendant, greeted us on board. This picture, the camera is never tilted, it seems that it is tilted because the aircraft is nonsense.


I got into the plane. The white walls are beautifully decorated, and wood is used for the window frame and trim part in the aircraft. Unfortunately the original seat is not used because the seat is 2 seats x 2 row type and it must meet the current air law regulations.


Nonetheless, leather-clad simple sheets were not spectacularly decorated, not so much as to destroy the atmosphere. Although it is the inclination of the floor which is worrisome, as it gets used to it, as soon as it gets out of mind, it seems that it will roll "Oops" and the rear side of the aircraft. The distance from the entrance to the seat to reach the seat was enough to feel a little exercise.


By the way, the space after the third row seems to be a space for placing a fuel tank in the plane when doing a long distance flight.


The cockpit where the Fabra deputy captain sits at the Kopai seat. It is around the instrument panel that feels the time, but in reality it is inevitably said that it has been refurbished to conform to the modern standards. It seems to be a measure to respond to current aerial regulations and control systems, such as wireless devices by all means. Where circular control handle makes DC-3 feel.


Nonetheless, it is only in the seat and the gauge that the hands are greatly modified by the fuselage, and it is said that the figure of the time which was almost made was made as it is afterwards. This aircraft was born in 1940 and is 77 years old this year, "Granny", it seems that the engine itself uses the same model as the original.


Just before the engine started, greetings from Captain Aggro. This time it will be an unexpected special flight to fly the area of ​​Osaka from Kobe at a low altitude of 1400 feet (about 426 meters).


Although it is an old fuselage, the briefing for safety is done with other flights. "Safety Bookmark" dedicated to DC - 3 was distributed.


The position of the escape mouth, how to open the door, etc. are stated.


While doing so, a fire entered the engine on the port side (left side of the fuselage), then the engine on the star side (right side of the fuselage) started.


That sound is quite different from modern airplanes, a feeling close to that of an automobile engine. It should be that, while many of the modern passenger aircraft are based on jet engines, "Turbo Prop Engine" and "Turbo Fan Engine", DC - 3 is a reciprocating aircraft engine "Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92"Is used. From this engine called air-cooled double star type 14 cylinder, the sound "dolndorun" was transmitted along with the vibration at the start, and the atmosphere called "engine start" was felt indeed. From the exhaust gushed from the engine made with the technology and common sense of the 1940s, there is a smell of nostalgia that makes you feel "THE engine" that you can not sniff now.

The state of the engine start taken from inside the cabin is like this. Although the explanation of the cabin attendant is being done, the atmosphere sounds from the engine sound "Dolndorung" that can be heard from over there.

BREITLING DC - 3 's engine startup from the room - YouTube


After that, we carefully warmed up about 10 minutes and started taxiing towards the runway when we checked the condition. People who tried to look at DC - 3 were thrusting in a big embarrassment to the observation deck in the 4th floor of Kobe Airport from where they heard it.


And finally the moment of takeoff. Lower engine sound and vibration increased, and the aircraft slowly accelerated with the sound unique to the propeller called "Bu-n". Compared to jet passenger aircraft, its acceleration is really mild and the feeling "slow acceleration" matches most. A movie containing the state from the cabin is Kore.

The moment BREITLING DC-3 throttle up from Kobe airport and take off from the room - YouTube


The unique sound that the engine sound, and the sound of the two propellers unison, is exactly what makes us feel "the good old Hikoki era". At the moment of takeoff, the operation to lift the nose greatly was not carried out, and the movement to raise the altitude gently as if moving horizontally was felt very mild.

Also, it was impressive that all movements were calm. Of course, there should have been a pilot's maneuver to survive the old aircraft, but the direction of the aircraft gradually changes at a bank angle of about 10 to 15 degrees without taking too much bank angle even when turning . According to what I hear, it seems that one of the reasons is that movement is not as agile as modern aircraft, but it seems to be said that it is an old aircraft from such a place as well.

By the way this time I was able to sit on the front row seat. The space at your feet is comfortable and spacious like this.


This flight course will fly westward from Kobe Airport, swing greatly to the right and aim at Osaka city from Kobe over the sky. On that road, from the left seat, Rokko Mountain, the cityscape of Kobe, and the dance of Osaka bay spread under the eyes. What is reflected in this picture is the "Mizu Infinity circuit" of mini circuit in Mai.


Also, I could see many of the Kansai sights such as Universal Studios Japan, Kyocera Dome and Abeno Harkus. It seems that Osaka Castle was visible from the window on the right.


As you can see the following movies, you can see the state while flying.

BREITLING DC-3 flies over Osaka City at an altitude of about 1400 feet (about 426 m), under the eyes Kyocera Dome and Abeno Harukasu - YouTube


It was where I felt the age of the aircraft that the seat could not be moved while flying. This is because the center of gravity balance is disturbed when passengers move back and forth and to the left and right inside the cab, and the maneuverability is affected. No computer is loaded on this aircraft and all operations need to be done by the pilot. Therefore, there is no function like a modern computer airplane that automatically senses the condition of the airframe and trims, and this time two airplanes are flying in tandem to DC-3 It seems that we are restricting the movement of passengers in order to avoid accidents occurring in the air in the unlikely posture.

Such a flight over 30 minutes finishes in a blink of an eye. Drop altitude while turning around Port Island for about 2 laps, landed at Kobe Airport from the east side and landed. This landing was also really mild, and it was a smooth landing that I thought as "I landed right now" for a while. It seems to be influenced by the pilot's maneuvering the aircraft and the thick and large wheels.

The moment BREITLING DC-3 landed at Kobe airport from inside the room - YouTube


After the boarding, participants were issued a flight certificate with signature of the captain and Breitling president Schneider.


This rare opportunity to be able to ride "Grandmother" age 77 years is done like this. Compared to modern passenger aircraft, it can not be denied that the noise unique to the propeller machine seems to be "noisy", but it is a big success in both the private and military fields, and the famous machine which has greatly changed the appearance of air transport in the world I felt it was worth deserving to call it "cultural heritage".

This event was carried out by Swiss luxury wristwatch maker "Breitling", boarding experiences and aircraft observation events targeting product owners have already been closed, but as in the Kobe airport this time the observation deck There is a chance to see from. In addition, we will hold a meeting at Chiba · Makuhari Seaside Park on June 3rd (Sat) - 4th (Sun)Red Bull Air Race Chiba 2017Demo flight was also held at the venue, and at this time it is said that a low-pass flight with a lowered altitude will be carried out to almost the same height as the pylon. You can see the actual machines of the famous machines of the age, there is no chance that you can see the actual appearance of flying, so it is not left behind, so the person who has become anxious will not be able to miss this opportunity is.

In addition, this time the invitation flight for the children of the "Japan Marine Boys' Group" is also being carried out. The appearance, the detailed appearance of the aircraft, and the videos for shooting are scheduled to be posted in a separate article after this, so please look forward to it.


· Continued
"Breitling DC-3 World Tour" event report that I was able to experience on Douglas' famous machine "Douglas DC-3" - GIGAZINE