A Douglas DC-3 wearing period Aer Lingus
colours took part in the Foynes Air Show
(July 22) and Bray Air Display (July 22-
23) in Ireland. The aircraft, ZS-NTE, had
been invited from its base at Zweibrücken
in Germany by the Irish Historic Flight
Foundation (IHFF) which was keen to
celebrate the DC-3 and its contribution to
Irish Aviation. It was ferried from its base to
Shannon on June 13 and re-painted in Aer
Lingus colours to represent EI-ACD St Gall.
On July 20 Aer Lingus welcomed the aircraft
into its Hangar 6 home at Dublin Airport. The
airline marked the arrival of the aircraft with
a short ight over Dublin Bay with Margaret
McLoone (a former Aer Lingus air hostess
between 1952-1955) ying on the old airliner
once again. Then known as Margaret Bergin,she operated her rst ight on a DC-3 and
even met her late husband Dinny on board
when he was serving as an Aer Lingus
second officer. Stephen Kavanagh, Aer
Lingus Chief Executive said: “This event gives
us the opportunity to re ect Ireland’s proud
aviation heritage, the tradition of service at
Aer Lingus and to remember all those who
have contributed to the success story that is
Aer Lingus today.” The aircraft also ew into
Weston Airport in Dublin for events with the
Irish Historic Flight.
The carrier took delivery of its rst DC-3 in
April 1940, making it the fth aircraft type to
be operated by the airline. A total of 19 DC-
3s were own by Aer Lingus until 1964.
The 1943-vintage aircraft spent most of
its career with the South African Air Forceuntil sold on the civilian market in 1995. It
underwent a major rebuild in 2009-2010 and
was then operated by Springbok Classic
Air on nostalgia ights and for airshow
appearances. It was purchased by German
businessman Peter Adrian in May 2015.
In addition to Aer Lingus, the IHFF
received support from ASL Aviation Holdings,
International Aerospace Coatings which
applied the paint, Mankiewicz Gebr & Co
supplied the paint, CAE PARC provided the
paint drawings, Max Decals the DC-3 artwork
and International Aero Inspection weighed
the aircraft.
After the airshows the DC-3 returned
to Germany on July 24, but will retain the
Aer Lingus colours for at least three years.
Malcolm Nason52 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2017AIRSHOW NEWS
AIRSHOW NEWS
Aer Lingus DC-3 Flashback
Douglas DC-3 ZS-NTE, painted in period Aer
Lingus colours to represent EI-ACD. Aer LingusTwo Royal Danish Air Force Super Lynx Mk.90Bs, S-134 and S-191 were in the static park of
the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on July 8. The latter wore special markings to celebrate the Lynx in
Danish service since 1980. Peter R FosterFestival of Flight Special Scheme Danish Lynx
The Biggin Hill Festival of Flight takes place
on August 19 and 20 and among the display
aircraft will be a Czech Air Force Saab JAS
39 Gripen and two Mil-24 Hind helicopters.
There will also be a Belgian Defence – Air
Component F-16 Fighting Falcon, while
visitors on the Sunday will be treated to
the French Air Force Patrouille de France
display team with its nine Alpha Jets.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will
be present, marking the 60th anniversary
of its creation at RAF Biggin Hill in 1957.
Carl HopeCanadian Hornet for Scampton Airshow
One of the stand-out attendees at the
Scampton Airshow, on September 9-10,
will be a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188
Hornet in the static park. Other military
aircraft con rmed so far are two Royal
Netherlands Air Force F-16s (also in thestatic), while another example – this time
from the Belgian Defence - Air Component
will be ying, as will a French Air Force Alpha
Jet. A host of civilian-operated historic types
are due to display, including Kennet Aviation’s
A1D Skyraider, and the Norwegian Air ForceHistorical Squadron will send FB.52 and
T.55 Vampires. Visitors will also be treated
to some classic Cold War types in the static
with the resident Hawker Hunter Aviation
showing a F-4F Phantom II, Su-22M-4,
Buccaneer S.2B and Hunter Mk.58.52_airshow_newsDC.indd 52 04/08/2017 13:00