Dakota. URGENT Response needed. We have often toyed with the idea that owning our own aircraft and having it based in Europe would be a good idea. Unfortunately we could probably raise the money to buy one but lacked the knowledge and funds to fly and maintain it. Last year Pieter Casteleyn and Serge Loslever put me in touch with Mr Marc Marchel of Belgium Air Classic Squadron. They are in the middle of purchasing a DC3 with a view to attending airshows and such. The aircraft will be in WW2 Allied Invasion colours and be based in Belgium. We have reached an agreement. If our membership helps their people buy the aircraft we can have it for jumping elusively as well as the possibilities of attending with the aircraft at air shows and putting on a Parachute display. Having a shared interest in this aircraft is the next best thing to owning our own. However its up to you,the membership if we go further with this. Please read this carefully and get back to me with any questions that I can fire at the owners. English translation in blue. Marc sent this to me today. I have added a few comments of my own to try to explain the situation more. Since two weeks, I have contacted all buyers of DC3 on the World to chose the best price / .Quality of aircraft We have found a good proposition (see Bill 3): an aircraft with only 12.000 hours flight in Arizona. We have changed the timetable to be ready for your jumpers in June for the commemoration in Normandy: - Raise money from now until 20 December. - From January until end March: preparation of the aircraft: painting, installation of commands, installation of static line, seats… - Ferry to Europe begins April by North Route: Canada – Greenland – Iceland – Faeroe Islands – Great Britain and Belgian. - May: official welcome of the plane with a big reception (Welcoming party) for all members from “Bronze” 125 euro’s and above in Brussels Airport, where the plane will be put under hangar (15th Transport Wing of Belgian Air Force). All these members will receive a numbered lithograph of the airplane and a “gold” pin of a DC3 (on a gold chain for the women). To be a member? You can transfer your “subscription” on our bank account IBAN BE 09 0016 9989 1957 in the name of « Belgian Air Classics Squadron » - BIC Code GEBABEBB or by Paypal “account mail” : [email protected] Membership/Donations 125 euro’s for a “Bronze” membership 250 euro’s for a “Silver” member 500 euro’s for a “Gold” member – 1000 or more for a “Diamond” member Marcs proposal : If each “Fully paid up member of Pathfinder” pay for a silver member subscription or 250 euro’s and propose to any of our family and friends a small donation of 25 euro’s (and for this they will receive a DC3 pin as a thank you.).This will pay for a substantial part of the aircrafts costs. To give you a rough idea, if you have 40 “Pathfinder members” and 1000 “friends”, it is a total of 35.000 euro’s or approximately 40 % of the airplane and then we have priority for all our “para” jumps. On the other hand I feel 80 Pathfinder members paying the 125 euros membership might be a bit more realistic and you ask everyone in your family, your dustman,milkman etc to make a 25 euro donation then we may yet save another Dc3 from the scrap heap and keep it flying. Another advantage, if the Squadron have an invitation for an airshow, they will purpose an ”historical” jump for up to 25 Pathfinder paratroopers . This will be a free jump for you guys and a substantial donation towards our expenses. I know this is still a gamble but I think its too good a chance to pass up. With this aircraft at our disposal we can save on the ferry fee from the UK,cheaper flying time and no fighting with other groups as to P hours clashing. We can also take on more anniversary jumps in France and Belgium and I will consider changing our future courses to include one Dc3 jump as well as offering one - jump Para courses to the Parachute Regiment Association and the Parachute Regiment possibly jumping into Renkum heath DZ.Of course all this depends on us being able to assist with the purchase of the aircraft. Get back to me with any questions you may have for Marc and we will do our best to get you answers.If you wish to take out memberships now or make donations please do not send me any money. Im a member just like you so please pay into The Belgian Air Classics Squadron account as advised above. Dont forget to tell them you are a Pathfinder member or that you are making a donation on behalf of Pathfinder. Please notify me of any donations made so I can keep an account of how much has been paid.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:44:24 +0000
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