"Breitling DC-3 World Tour" event report that could be experienced on the famous "Douglas DC-3"

In the event of "Breitling DC-3 World Tour" held at Kobe Airport on May 19, 2017, it was able to get on board the "DC-3" called the name machine in the world of air transportationAlready posted on GIGAZINEHowever, on the day, an invitation flight for children of the "Japan Marine Boys' Group" and an explanatory lecture on DC - 3 by air journalist Hiromi Nakamura were held. In this article I will report various aspects of the event and various pictures and videos of the DC - 3 that I have taken all over again.

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

Arrived at "Hirata Gakuen" which became the venue. The event is held in the hangar or lecture room in the facility. Breitling banners are set up in front of the building.


The panel of DC - 3 is also exhibited and it is perfect for standing in front and commemorating the photo.


On the day of the event, a boarding experience was conducted for members of the Japan Sea Boys' Association from 10 am. Before the flight, about aircraft named DC-3 "Aircraft class" is a little study time.


Hiromi Nakamura, former editor of the "Air Journal", served as a lecturer. There was a lecture on how the aircraft called DC-3 was groundbreaking for what reasons, how it was used in Japan, and what kind of event is the Breitling DC-3 World Tour.


DC-3 is the first commercial aircraft in the world, with aircraft manufacturer Douglas first flight in December 1935, the next aircraft started operation in 1936. In addition, Douglas merged with McDonnell · Aircraft and became "McDonnell · Douglas", after that it was absorbed by Boeing in 1997 and it is curtaining the history of the company.


In the operation of DC-3 in Japan, Japan helicopter transport (Japan Peri, ANA after) places DC-3 in service. At this time, the cabin attendant (at the time "stewardess") was adopted.


One of the major features of DC-3 is "Aircraft made of all metal". Today it is natural to make an airplane, and in recent years composite materials such as carbon fiber have been used, but in the 1930s, special woven fabrics were also used for airplane wings It was not unusual. Moreover, it has features such as being a fuselage adopting the "tail ring type" of the front two wheels and one rear wheel, and the main wheel is semi-retract type.


The engine is an air-cooled double star 14-cylinder engine manufactured by P & amp; W (Pratt & Whitney)R-1830-92Two units are installed. With a total power of 2400 horsepower at 1200 horsepower, cruise speed can be flying at 250 km / h and maximum altitude of 16,000 ft (about 4,800 m).


Currently 77 years old BREITLING DC - 3, but to adapt to air law regulations, the cockpit is introducing the latest avionics electronic equipment. However, it seems that the original state is maintained in the control system and the control system.


This airplane departs from Geneva, Switzerland and is in the middle of a round of the world around the east. After leaving Japan, enter North America via the Kamchatka Peninsula, cross the continent, cross the Atlantic Ocean and complete it in "Switzerland Breitling Shion Air Show 2017" in September in September.


Start from March 9, 2017, from Geneva Airport, Switzerland.


It seems that we have got a warm welcome such as rendezvous flight with the local flight team even in each place we have visited so far.


In Japan, Kumamoto Airport on Saturday, April 29th to Sunday 30th, Self Defense Force Iwakuni Base on May 5th (Friday), and Kobe Airport on May 19th (Fri) to 20th (Sunday) Demonstration at Red Bull Air Race held at Chiba · Makuhari Seaside Park on June 3 (Saturday) and 4th (Sunday), visiting Fukushima Airport from Friday, May 26th to Saturday, 27th I will fly. Although I think some people have noticed, all three cities, Kumamoto, Kobe and Fukushima, all suffered from the disaster. It seems to be a visit with a wish to support reconstruction.


In each country, guests are invited to experience flights. People like wealthy people ride in the Middle East, but the opportunity for children to ride like this time is only in Japan.


After the lecture, everyone in the Japanese marine boys' group and the teacher salute in front of the aircraft. From now on, I will experience a flight with a very precious DC-3.


Everyone in the group who gets on in succession.


Everyone got in and after a while, the engine was started. The propeller starts turning with the sound of "Doln, Doln", and white smoke hangs in ahead. Then, although the exhaust gas is brought to the coverage area by the wind blown by the propeller, I feel that "smell" is strong enough not to be considered for a moment in the current standards. Nonetheless, it is a feeling that I felt exhausted after a long time the exhaust gas that makes me feel "THE · engine", which is a smell that can be felt comfortable somewhere by some people and now also feel nothing.

BREITLING DC-3 Starts Engine Starting from Exhaust Gas Battle - YouTube


After warming up the engine for about 10 minutes, the engine was warmed up, and as soon as it was in tune, the rotation of the engine was increased and taxiing to the runway began. "The aircraft of 77 years ago really moves ...", I was surrounded by one person in a thoughtful feeling.


And DC - 3 took off the runway. The first half of the movie is the third one of the day, and the second half is the state of the flight that actually put the boys' group. In the first half I shot from the 4F observation deck of Kobe Airport, but the fact that the aircraft will air bounce in front of my eyes (that the wheels leave the ground)SpotterI could have caught up with irresistible good luck.

Where the BREITLING DC-3 runs and takes off from Kobe Airport - YouTube


After the flight of about 30 minutes, the landing DC-3 came back to the hanger. The DC - 3 turned towards Kururi on the way and parked with the butt facing us.

BREITLING DC-3 came back from the flight and turns in the hanger area - YouTube


Children who come down stairs down lightly though it was fun. Maeda Yoki of elementary school fifth (Haruki) said in an interview after the flight, "I saw Kyocera Dome Osaka and Tsutenkaku, engine sound and vibration was amazing."


After the flight, a comment on appreciation from the captain to the captain was stated, and everyone of the members showed a sign such as "Thank you" by hand flag signal to show gratitude to the captain. Captain Aggro and Fabra deputy captain are looking at the situation.


There is a greeting from Captain Aggo, shaking hands with all the members and the ceremony is over.


And finally, with the banner, everyone settled in the photo.


And it was the second flight of the day and the start of an experiential flight carrying the coverage.


Actually getting on, the vibrations transmitted from the engine were felt direct and unexpectedly, but the thought that "Hikoki is alive" somehow was a flight that crossed my mind. Although there were not many people who knew when this aircraft was active, there are times when it is 30 minutes quickly while feeling a tremendous nostalgia to the sounds and vibrations reminiscent of the good old Hikogi period My flight has ended. The details are reported in detail in the following article.

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


As mentioned earlier, the modernly updated cockpit. Nonetheless, circular control wheels that control their posture by moving the wings are as original.


It seems that Garmin's electronic equipment etc. are embedded in the instrument panel part. However, the throttle lever in front of it is a lever type that makes you feel the atmosphere of the past year.


The head over panel overhead has also been upgraded to modern style. The upper part of the cockpit seems to be fitted with a lighting window that can accept external light.


Window of the guest room is a square type which almost can not be seen now. A wooden frame is attached around it.


When I sat on the front seat I could see the engine and the propeller outside the window.


And experience flight starts. DC-3 that goes on a taxiway following the runway. You can see a hangar at the sky mark · air line based in Kobe Airport over there.


The appearance of everyone who looks at the appearance of DC-3 from 4F observation deck of Kobe Airport.


The rotation of the engine increased, DC - 3 floated in the air after a relatively short run - up.


Swirl over the landfill in Osaka Bay ... ...


DC-3 fly above the city with low altitude, low altitude. Kyocera Dome Osaka is visible ahead of a wide road that looks in the middle.


Flight while watching Rokko Mountain with the highest altitude of 932 meters. The flight altitude of this time is about 400 meters, and it is fly low enough to look down from the summit of Mt. Rokko.


I turned around Port Island near Kobe Airport about 2 laps, DC-3 gradually lowered the altitude and landed at Kobe Airport.


In the second half of the flight, I noticed "Ha!" And panicked and logged the flight using the smartphone GPS application. Before landing, DC - 3 turns over Port Island and lowers the altitude from about 400 meters to about 250 meters. It turns right and turns right into the landing course of the airport.


After landing, the time to observe the inside of the plane for a while. The large space opened in the center of the fuselage is the part where the seat is originally placed, but it is open so as to mount an additional fuel tank at the time of long distance flight.


Ashtrays attached to the armrests that can not be seen now. It used to mean that you were able to smoke normally in the aircraft.


If you hold the camera horizontally in the aircraft, you can see that the aircraft in the parking is inclined to this extent.


Panels attached to the top of each seat. A blower that controls the temperature by introducing outside air from the left, a reading lamp, and a switch of reading light. When asked to Captain Captain Aguro, the wind blowing out from the air outlet is not air conditioned, it seems that purely outside air is taken in as it is in the airplane.


Emergency escape mouth next to the last seat.


Unfortunately the seat is not original, it has been replaced with new ones to meet the latest safety standards. Along with that, rails were added to the floor that could adjust the seat position in units of 1 inch.


Although it is an old aircraft, what is made of Kenwood was used for speakers in the cabin sound.


Aggro captain who receives enclosure coverage after flight is from Geneva, Switzerland, and this DC-3 andLockheed · Constellation(Common name - Connie) NPO organization that dynamically preserves 2 machinesSuper Constellation Flyers AssociationHe is also a man serving as a chief pilot at the SCFA. The group aims to preserve the old and historic aircraft in a moving state, aiming to convey the airplane to the future generations in the "living state". DC-3, which is more than 70 years old from manufacturing, said that it takes 100 hours of maintenance time for an hour flight. Although repair parts are gradually becoming difficult to acquire, it seems that the group is promoting efforts to preserve the aircraft as much as possible by having sufficient stock.


The left and right engine are also in the original state. It is DC-3, which produced 16,000 aircraft, but the existing aircraft is between 100 and 150 aircraft, and there are very few aircraft that can fly with a high original condition kept. Although it is said that there are some aircraft that are changing the engine to the latest type with other DC - 3s, it seems that this aircraft is kept original.


According to Captain Captain Aguro, to skip this aircraft with little help from machines and computers is as if to drive a truck. Since the movement of the wing is directly connected to the control wheel held by the pilot, the handle becomes heavy on strong day of the wind, and it seems that there is a hard time to think hard now.


Very fat front wheel. DC-3, which was also developed as a military aircraft, uses such a tire so that it can land even on a rough surface runway.


From the front side, this force.


However, DC-3 seems to be the most beautiful, this angle seen diagonally from behind. You will feel the balance of posture leaning posture that looks at the sky and the wings made from a powerful yet soft curve.


Breitling logo which is the main sponsor of NPO corporation is drawn large on the side of the aircraft.


The main wing with little receding angle and the horizontal tail fin in low position to touch.



DC-3, which is over 80 years old since birth, is an aircraft that became the cornerstone of the modern airline industry, and said that it is also an aircraft that could "profit from the world's first commercial flight". I think that development of an airplane started from here, I felt like I was sending a long life like a "living witness." Efforts of NPO organizations / SCFAs trying to preserve such valuable aircraft in their original state as much as possible are extremely valuable, and even if only one person can see such an aircraft appearance to many people I thought that I would like you to go and I left the venue behind.