VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 This flight is from Southend to Bournemouth in the Carvair. 1. 21 DC-4s were converted to Carvairs in the early 1960s. 2. The forward section was replaced and a new tail fin constructed, not a DC-7 one as commonly believed. Southend-on sea with the worlds longest pier just visible. 3. They were built by Freddie Laker's (remember him!) Aviation Traders Limited company hence the Carvairs designation of ATL-98. The oil terminals at Canvey Island and Coryton. 4. They were designed to replace the rapidly ageing and inadequate Bristol 170s. Tilbury Container Port very close to Damon's Hall. 5. The ATL-98 could carry 25 passengers and 5 medium sized cars low across the Channel meaning that no pressurisation was necessary. Biggin Hill through the low cloud. 6. 50,000 GBP to acquire a second hand DC-4 and 80K for the conversion made the Carvair a cheap option. Gatwick. 7. The new nose made the ATL-98 8ft 8ins longer than the original DC-4 Now getting into Top Gear passing Dunsfold. 8. 3 were converted at Southend with the other 18 at Stanstead. Over Gosport with Portsmouth beyond. 9. The original P&W R-2000s were retained. Flying up the Beaulieu River. 10. The last 3 for Ansett were the airlines own aircraft but the other 18 were bought by ATL for conversion The Solent in the distance with Southampton Airport to the left of the plane. 11. Of the 21 conversions 8 were destroyed in accidents, the most recent in 2007 in Alaska. Approaching Bournemouth. 12. One exists in South Africa with the owner hoping to make it airworthy with another reportedly still flying in the USA. Hope you enjoyed some facts about the Carvair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
European Mountain Man Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Thanks Martyn I enjoyed your screen shots and your tour and the history regarding that fine aircraft regards stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Tremendous Martyn! Great to hear about the detail of the Carvair! Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 5 minutes ago, stewart1 said: Thanks Martyn I enjoyed your screen shots and your tour and the history regarding that fine aircraft regards stewart Thank you Stewart, glad you liked the history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, paulb said: Tremendous Martyn! Great to hear about the detail of the Carvair! Well done! Cheers Paul, happy that you liked the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britjet Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I remember seeing them at Coventry many years ago. Amazing aircraft. A prop-jumbo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sawyer Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 That was excellent Martyn! Great history I never knew and a wonderful, low flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1252 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Lovely stuff Martyn. I'm so glad you posted your shots of this beast the other day - it's sitting in my hangar now! I have only slight memories of the car transporters at Southend (my home town from the age of 5 to 20 - so all the important years!), can't say which actual aircraft I remember for real and what is just coming from later readings but things like this, the AW Argosy and the Bristol freighters all spring to mind. Because of that 'hump', they all have that lovely "who are you looking at, pal?" air about them. I have the UK2000 version of Southend Airport (it's excellent, if I'm allowed to say that here) and I'd love someone to do a full fat model of the Southend, or even all Essex, region (preferably set in 1966) but I'm not holding my breath! The whole "fish & chips, amusements and pier" thing would look stunning if Jarrad turned his hand to it. Probably only be me that bought it though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradB Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Great shots and tour Martyn with your flying Guppy . Cheers John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stillwater Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 A breathtaking mixture of aviation and navigation information, you are a brilliant lecturere, my friend. Plus, your screenshots are not that bad either... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 7 hours ago, Britjet said: I remember seeing them at Coventry many years ago. Amazing aircraft. A prop-jumbo! Thank you, we had them at Bournemouth and always a welcome sight on a spotting trip on a Sunday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 5 hours ago, Jack Sawyer said: That was excellent Martyn! Great history I never knew and a wonderful, low flight. Cheers Jack. Some great ingenuity went into the conversion of the DC-4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 5 hours ago, andy1252 said: Lovely stuff Martyn. I'm so glad you posted your shots of this beast the other day - it's sitting in my hangar now! I have only slight memories of the car transporters at Southend (my home town from the age of 5 to 20 - so all the important years!), can't say which actual aircraft I remember for real and what is just coming from later readings but things like this, the AW Argosy and the Bristol freighters all spring to mind. Because of that 'hump', they all have that lovely "who are you looking at, pal?" air about them. I have the UK2000 version of Southend Airport (it's excellent, if I'm allowed to say that here) and I'd love someone to do a full fat model of the Southend, or even all Essex, region (preferably set in 1966) but I'm not holding my breath! The whole "fish & chips, amusements and pier" thing would look stunning if Jarrad turned his hand to it. Probably only be me that bought it though! Cheers Andy, once again memories come flooding back from a long time ago. I never went to Southend and only visited Essex once just for a couple of hours. I am happy you got it though and hopefully you will post some images of your flights. Just a bit dark on the separate versions for V4 and FSX though. Oh well I couldn't resist it! How I would like a plaice and chips sitting on the pier right now, dream on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 5 hours ago, BradB said: Great shots and tour Martyn with your flying Guppy . Cheers John Thank you John, I will have to get around to flying the DC-4 some when! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 1 hour ago, Stillwater said: A breathtaking mixture of aviation and navigation information, you are a brilliant lecturere, my friend. Plus, your screenshots are not that bad either... . Many thanks Gerold. I do try my best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sawyer Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 27 minutes ago, VH-KDK said: Cheers Jack. Some great ingenuity went into the conversion of the DC-4. I was thinking that same thing, I could only imagine the sheet metal work involved in this effort but it paid off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifejogger Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Enjoyed the flight and the interesting plane..... And thanks for the commentary!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neptune6 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 Yep i see for the fist time this planeDC4 converted ATL98 cargo in 1971 to Ajaccio LFKJ coming from Zurich with a RR silver shadows in the nose .. Great shoot Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 51 minutes ago, Jack Sawyer said: I was thinking that same thing, I could only imagine the sheet metal work involved in this effort but it paid off! It filled a very special niche in the market at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 51 minutes ago, lifejogger said: Enjoyed the flight and the interesting plane..... And thanks for the commentary!!!!! Thanks John, glad you liked the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 2 minutes ago, Neptune6 said: Yep i see for the fist time this planeDC4 converted ATL98 cargo in 1971 to Ajaccio LFKJ coming from Zurich with a RR silver shadows in the nose .. Great shoot Patrick Cheers Patrick, such a distinctive plane it is so easy to remember our first sight of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1252 Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 2 hours ago, VH-KDK said: I never went to Southend and only visited Essex once just for a couple of hours Generally considered by most people as the correct course of action <grin> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambar Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Fantastic shots of the strange looking Carvair Martyn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 16, 2017 Author Share Posted November 16, 2017 9 hours ago, andy1252 said: Generally considered by most people as the correct course of action <grin> Cheers Andy, sound like a lot of places in England now, very sad. I cannot how Bournemouth has gone downhill judging by what I read in their local rag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VH-KDK Posted November 16, 2017 Author Share Posted November 16, 2017 3 hours ago, adambar said: Fantastic shots of the strange looking Carvair Martyn! Thanks Adam, a strange looking beastie indeed, but I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neptune6 Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Hi and this with a big smile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Emms Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Fine set of shots. cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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