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A FAMOUS flying masterpiece, the Breitling DC-3, touched down in Bahrain on a record-breaking world tour and a part of high-flying celebrations organised by the Swiss luxury watchmaker and aviation chronograph specialist, writes Stan Szecowka.
Marking its 77th birthday this year, the DC-3 aims to become the oldest plane to circumnavigate the world and will also land in Jordan, Qatar and the UAE during its epic journey from March to September.
The Douglas DC-3 (DC for Douglas Commercial) twin-engine propeller plane made its maiden flight in 1935, at a time when Breitling had introduced its first on-board chronographs for civilian and military aircraft.
Nicknamed the ‘Normandy landings plane’ during the Second World War, it enjoyed its moment of fame in June 1944. More than 16,000 were built and most major airlines acquired them as part of their fleet. They normally seat 20 passengers and boast a cruising speed of 241km/h (130 knots).
This DC-3 HB-IRJ was delivered to American Airlines and flew for the first time in 1940. It was used by the American military between 1942 and 1944, before resuming service on behalf of various commercial airlines.
It has been restored by a group of dedicated enthusiasts and now flies under Breitling colours and participates in a variety of air shows around the globe.
Captain and owner of the Breitling DC-3, Francisco Agullo, speaking shortly after landing at Bahrain International Airport last Saturday morning, said: “It’s a challenging airplane to fly.
“It’s a very stable platform but you only have to look at modern aircraft and see that none of them have a tail wheel – this one has! That means that if you have a cross wind it gets a little unstable on the ground.
“You land with the front wheel first and then lower the tail-end, whereas with modern aircraft you do exactly the opposite. This is just muscles, cables and pulleys – there are no hydraulic servos helping the pilot to steer the aircraft.
“It’s a bit like comparing an old truck with a new car. You can steer the latest model with two fingers and it will go wherever you want it to, modern airplanes are exactly like that too.
“This, you really have to fight when you have a crosswind like we had the other day – 30 knots – that’s when you really have to work!”
Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise on a blustery morning that a planned flight up into the skies with a media pack onboard was cancelled inexplicably for security concerns, but journalists were allowed to step on board for a tour of the beautiful beast, sit in the cockpit and drool in delight when the captain fired up the engines on the tarmac.
Today there are fewer than 150 DC-3 aircraft in flightworthy condition worldwide including a dozen still carrying goods and passengers in Columbia, for example, but few will look as spectacular as this perfect specimen carrying into illustrious cargo of pristine timepieces.
The world tour, which takes in the Middle East, India, South-East Asia, North America and Europe, started and will end in Breitling’s home country of Switzerland, after taking off from Geneva earlier this month and landing back in September at the Breitling Sion Airshow 2017.
When the DC-3 stopped over in the kingdom it provided selected VIPs and members of the media with the opportunity to get up close. The press pack was welcomed by Yaquby Stores general manager Asif Jiffry and Jana Klaamas, head of retail operation at the Breitling Boutique, in Moda Mall.
To celebrate the world tour, Breitling has introduced a 500-piece limited edition of its famous Navitimer aviation chronograph, of which 25 models will be made available for the Middle East market and will sell for a staggering BD3,295 each.
This steel Navitimer 01 (46 mm), powered by Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, will notably be distinguished by its case-back engraved with the Breitling DC-3 World Tour logo.
Enthusiasts will have to wait until the autumn to get their hands on this model – all 500 pieces will travel aboard the Breitling DC-3 around the planet, to ensure they are truly part of the entire adventure.
Each watch will be delivered with a certificate signed by the flight captain and stamped with the stopover locations.
Aed Adwan, Breitling Middle East, said: “As a privileged partner of aviation, Breitling has demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding aeronautical heritage by supporting the restoration of legendary aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3.
“Through this world tour, Breitling is once again displaying its determination to share its passion for aviation with a broad audience, especially in the Middle East where we specifically included stopovers in four different countries.”
The Breitling DC-3, which undergoes 100 hours maintenance for every hour flown, is taking its grand world tour in several stages, punctuated by numerous stopovers providing opportunities to organise events and take part in air shows. It will be an amazing accomplishment for this legendary plane, aviation enthusiasts agree.
A privileged partner in the conquest of the skies, Breitling says it is demonstrating its commitment to ‘safeguarding the aeronautical heritage’ by supporting the restoration of legendary aircraft – such as the Lockheed Super Constellation as well as the Douglas DC-3.
For every mile travelled on the trip, $2 will be donated in a charitable endeavour to help earthquake victims in partnership with The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
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Factfile
BREITLING DC-3 WORLD TOUR 2017
FRANCISCO AGULLO
Captain and owner
Nationality: Swiss
Year of birth: 1969
Flight hours: More than 12,500 hours, 3,500 as co-pilot and 9,000 as captain.
His passion for aviation started when he was a child. After completing an engineering degree in aerodynamics and mechanics he decided to become a bush pilot, initially in Northern Canada and a few years later in Africa. After returning to Europe, he became an airline pilot, flying Douglas and Boeing airliners.
In 2000, he created, with his friends, the Super Constellation Flyers Association which operates today one of the last two airworthy Lockheed Super Constellation in the world. Today he looks after the beautifully-restored Breitling DC-3.
Francisco has accumulated his flight hours in 45 different aircraft types. He is captain on private jets and flight instructor/examiner on the DC-3 and Super Constellation.
