Greece to Normandy Convoy '09

[zemsi]

... fancy a spectacular scenig flight in one of 4 (!) genuine Ju-52 with the original BWM engines?? Price CHF 260 for a 60min flight from Dübendorf. Only available on Saturday mornings. The Ju 52 won't be flying too long due to a lock of spare parts. There's a air museum too.

[zemsi]

... when you're travelling from Italy you will probably want to "climb" over the Saint Gotthard, a beautiful pass. There's a fortification too, Forte Ospizio.

That's the road you'll have to climb (very bumby, cobblestone):

(source: www.gotthard-hospiz.ch)

[Lang]

Chris,

We drove that road in your photo last year as part of a convoy of 200+ Fiat 500's. Wonderful narrow cobblestones. Unfortunately I never saw anything like this picture because the clouds came down and we had a visibility of about 10 metres!

Our plans through Italy take us through Genoa/ Turin so we will cross from Aosta over the St Bernard pass (not through the tunnel but over the old mountain road).

I am interested in anything along the way to keep the troops occupied so keep up the suggestions.

Lang

[Lang]

Chris,

Forgot to mention thanks for the Ju-52 information. One of the great aircraft of WW2! The team could well be interested in a flight (I know I certainly would be) after visiting Crete and standing on Maleme airfield where the German paratroops jumped from these planes.

Swiss aviation has always impressed me (I flew the world's all-time best STOL aircraft - the Pilatus Porter - for 10 years during my time in the Army) with the variety of their historic aircraft fleet. And what a fun country to fly in, a STOL pilot's paradise - pity about the crap weather!!!!

Lang

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Originally Posted by zemsi

... fancy a spectacular scenig flight in one of 4 (!) genuine Ju-52 with the original BWM engines?? Price CHF 260 for a 60min flight from Dübendorf. Only available on Saturday mornings. The Ju 52 won't be flying too long due to a lock of spare parts. There's a air museum too.

Two questions, Chris...

(1) Does the redhead come with the JU-52?

(2) Can we jump out of the JU-52? Preferably with parachutes, of course...

[Lang]

People may be interested in the entrants paid and signed up for the Normandy trip from Australia and New Zealand:

Harley WLA !!!!
Studebaker 6X6
Chevrolet 3 Ton 4X2
Dodge 1/2 Ton WC
Morris Radio Van
Jeep 3 of
GMC 1 Ton Panel Van
Chevrolet C15A Radio Van
Chevrolet C15A
Chevrolet C15

We have a Dodge 3/4 Command Car, Lynx, Dodge 3/4 WC and 2 more Jeeps as probables at this stage. That's about as many as I can handle.

Not bad for a year out!

Lang

[Lang]

The Normandy convoy is well and truly full. Despite my better judgement I allowed the numbers to run out to 18 vehicles. There are 5 on the waiting list and more inquiries each day.

We have 3 Kiwis with the rest Australians (although there is a Dutch Australian planning to park his jeep in Holland at the finish).

We had enquiries from Canada and several other countries about joining but most could only come for part of the time which was not in the plan.

If the interest is there I am considering another trip in say, September 09, starting in Northern Europe and doing WW1 area, Normandy, Italy, Greece but going via Gallipoli to Istanbul to finish. Drop me an email if you are interested and I will see if the numbers justify planning.

I will do a full list of vehicles going to Normandy shortly.

Lang

[Lang]

A further update on the Normandy trip. We now have a growing list of reserves and I am more seriously thinking of a reverse trip in September finishing in Istanbul (via Gallipoli).

Quite a nice variety of vehicles - only 6 jeeps. When everyone gets their photos to me I will put them up here.

The British Military Vehicle Trust have massaged the Normandy bookings to allow us all to camp at Etreham. Having been in this campground before it is very pleasing.

[clifford]

Hi all, what date do you thnk you will land in Italy? i am thinking about coming across from Spain and driving up, could be good meet up..Cliff

[Lang]

Cliff,

We will be in Southern Italy around the end of the second week in May.

Lang