What a fabulous adventure

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FRENCH WARBIRDS, GA AIRCRAFT PLAN EAA AIRVENTURE CARAVAN FROM PARIS

April 21, 2005 - A special group flight planned this summer will link aviation's past, present and future at the only place it can possibly happen: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2005.

The past: Two restored Dassault MD312 Flamants (Flamingos), twin-engine military liaison aircraft, will fly from Paris to Oshkosh over the North Atlantic.
The present: 19 general aviation planes ("light" singles and twins to the French) will also make the trip, flown by members of the French Euro Squadron.
All are scheduled to depart Paris on July 18 and arrive at Wittman Regional Airport on opening day, July 25.
The future: The 1950s-vintage Dassaults will park at AirVenture's main showcase ramp, AeroShell Square, near the gleaming composite SpaceShipOne/White Knight and Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.

Pierre Duval, EAA member who in 2003 helped organize the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga visit to Oshkosh, says anticipation for this year is running high.

"This is my 10th Oshkosh in the last 15 years and the fever does not get any lower," he said. "The excitement of the group is both to cross the Atlantic with one's own (aircraft) and participate in the event. (Oshkosh) has become the equivalent of Le Bourget Paris Air Show for general and personal aviation."

Participants are busy securing their visas (a bit complicated but not too difficult, Duval remarked) and planning for the trip.
"But flying, and the passion for flying technology, is the real country we all live in when we're in Oshkosh," Duval said. "It is such a warm feeling to meet our U.S. friends in this atmosphere again."

Gerard David, Dassault Aviation Vice President-Corporate External Relationships, is a key supporter of the trip and will fly one of the MD312s. Emmanuel Davidson, Editor in Chief at Aviation et Pilote magazine, leads the organization of GA aircraft and pilots making the flight.

Duval will travel to Oshkosh with several VIPs, including the heads of the DGAC-the French equivalent of the FAA-and the GSAC- French civil aviation's controlling body. Also scheduled to attend are the French Navy's future chief of staff and the general secretary to France's Transportation Minister.

Scheduled stops include Aberdeen, Scotland; Reykjavik. Iceland; Kulusuk and SondreStrom Fjord, Greenland; Iqaluit, Northern Quebec, an Montreal Canada; Plattsburg, New York; and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

The MD312 was designed shortly after World War II by Marcel Dassault and Paul Deplante The government held a competition to produce a twin-engine liaison aircraft for the French military and the Dassault won out over the SO94 and Siebel NC701 because it was lighter and more maneuverable. First flight took place on July 6, 1947. The MD312 was the predecessor to the successful Falcon line of business jets.

Two German-designed Snecma 12S Argus engines power the aircraft. A total of 325 were built (including the 311 and 315 configurations) Chief use of the 312 was liaison flights and flying schools.

Originally three 312s were planned to make the flight but financial resources and parts availability allowed only two. It will cost about $60,000 per airplane to fly to and from Oshkosh.

Dassault MD312
Wingspan 66 feet
Length 41 feet
Height 14.8 feet
Empty weight 11,242 lbs
Max weight 14,109 lbs
Crew 3
Pax 6
Max Speed 236 mph
Cruise Speed 192 mph
Ceiling: 26,240 feet
Range 647 nm

Wish I could go with them. A fabulous experience and the Flamant is such a superb aircraft in terms of handling and its sound.
Formidable n'est ce pas...!
Felicitations,
Trapper 69
:D :D ;) ;) :) :)

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