The rally officially launches from the Greek island of Crete on November 11. We will be flying in our Travel Air 4000 for 5 weeks down the east side of Africa to Cape Town, South Africa arriving there December 18. We will be flying over spectacular geographic and historical wonders. We will spend time in some amazing places as ground tourists as well. Enjoying vast vistas from the air is a given as we fly over areas of this continent we never dreamed we'd have a chance to see.
Leave it to Nick to find such an adventure as this on his radar. He has always had a nose for interesting undertakings and this one tops them all. I was, at first, a little skeptical, but as I learned more about the organization that has gone into the planning by the Prepare2Go people who put it together, and as I have connected with other people around the world who will be participating too, my enthusiasm kicked in and now I can't wait to get over there and get started.
So much had to be done to demonstrate to the organizers our commitment to be part of this. The first thing, of course, was to locate an airplane for the trip - one acceptable to them, as they truly wanted a pre-1930's aircraft. Well . . . Nick set to work researching types - he considered the Waco, also a 3 place open cockpit biplane, a Fleet, and the Travel Air, another 3 placer. Several pre-1930 candidates were located around the country, and Nick set out to inspect and consider them.
Well . . . after several trips out west and up north, Nick found our magic carpet . . . not just any airplane -- a vintage craft with an interesting history - a Travel Air 4000 built in 1928. It is young in hours - less than 2,700 hours total time, which is little for an 88 year old plane . . . partially because it hadn't flown since the 1960's. Having just been restored by a wonderful family in Ohio, it was itching to get back into the skies . . . and seek new adventure, for she has had a bit . . . an interesting history in her early years.
N6263, Serial # 730, was born in 1928, and her bill of sale was signed by none-other-than, the famous Walter Beach. Walter was one of the founders of Travel Air, along with Clyde Cessna and Lloyd Stearman, two other pioneering aircraft designers. The company existed between 1925 and 1932, and in 1929 was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world. So . . . our girl has pedigree . . . and not just by birth - she was owned by two very famous aviators during her life, and was complicit in a bit of shenanigans . . . . while being owned by Newark Flying Service in 1931, she was confiscated and sold at public auction because the pilot was using her to smuggle booze during prohibition!! So . . . . she has a little character . . . . history . . . . and she is ready to embark on this phenomenal odyssey - one that will take her . . . and us . . . across Europe and zig-zagging down the length of the African continent.
Nick has arranged a few needed modifications - extra fuel tank, electrical system, and radios. He flew it down to Florida a month ago and took us all for rides - - a thrill!!! The other American in the rally, Keith from Chino, California, flew out to Florida, so together with Nick & Colin, they disassembled both aircraft and shipped them off in containers on a ship to Southampton, UK. - and Colin will be Keith's copilot . . . and that is especially appropriate, as Colin just got his private pilot license on Monday, Oct 3rd!
We then had to get our passports, immunizations, and contact information updated. As we will be hosted for galas and big dinners along the way, we also have had to procure formal 1920s dinner party attire. We will be limited by weight restrictions in what we can bring on the trip so thankfully 1920s evening dresses don't take up much room. If you faithfully watched Downton Abbey, you know what I mean.
I will do my best to keep this blog updated as we go along. We hope you will also check out the VintageAirRally website www.crete2cape.com where you will see links to the crews going and the itinerary, and for those of you who like to use Facebook, you can check out the crete2cape Facebook page.
