I had arranged to take a 30 minute flight on the “Bluebonnet Belle,” a Douglas C-47 Dakota Skytrain airplane this Saturdayy, August 7, at 11:00 AM. The aircraft, built in 1944, flies as part of the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, which is based right on HWY 281 in Burnet, Texas. There are two remaining seats available out of a total of seven on the plane the way it is currently configured. Frankly, I am staggered that out of all the transportation enthusiasts I know I can only find five people but I guess everyone needs to be surprised once in a while.
The aircraft is flown to a lot of air shows. I saw it and met the crew in Hondo earlier this year. Since then the shiny silver plane has been to any number of events, including the annual air extravaganza in Oshkosh. I’m really looking forward to making the flight, which costs $125.00 per person, a heck of a deal if you ask me. The C-47 is the military version of the Douglas DC3, the twin radial engined aircraft that finally enabled airlines to fly profitably. Its role as a military transport was so impressive that General Dwight Eisenhower said it was one of the four tools that ensured the allied victory.
UPDATE: The “Bluebonnet Belle” developed an engine problem during the return flight from Oshkosh. It has yet to be determined how long it will take to make the needed repairs. Then we will have to find a mutually acceptable date for all the people involved, including the aircrew and the original group of five. If seats remain available I will post an invite on this blog.
If you are interested in flying with us, post a reply right here on the blog and I’ll get in contact with you. In the mean time, here is a link to the Highland Lakes Squadron web site, where you can find out more about the “Bluebonnet Belle” plus get the details of where they are located.
http://www.highlandlakessquadron.com/HLS1/AircraftC47.html
