My Nagpur trip - 77 years old DC3 spotting
As the news about this event got spread & I got to know about this rare spotting opportunity, I started my planning for Nagpur. Nagpur is chosen by the DC3 team as it’s in the centre of India where they can get the special aviation fuel required for this vintage aircraft.
The planning started by asking all those plane spotter friends if they are interested in spotting this aircraft. I had started a special whatsapp group on 12th March regarding this event - within hours I got my 2 friends Parth Shah & Manas Marathe from Pune ready to join me on this journey. The DC3 is scheduled to land in Nagpur on 26th March from Karachi. We had received an email from Nagpur about 1.5 years ago from local spotter, Dr. Ankur Sancheti - I got in touch with him regarding best possible spotting location around in Nagpur.
On that day we had confirm team of 7 spotters who are going to be part of this activity - I've been joined by my spotter friends - Prashob Chandran & Akshay Uchil from Mumbai.
We boarded "Garibrath Express" from Pune to Nagpur in the evening at 5:40pm - we were on our way to Nagpur. We've been constantly in touch with Mumbai team as their train got delayed by 4 hours.
While in the train, I made a new friend (train friend) who was travelling in our train - Ishika Saoji, she is a student from Pune who have just given 9th standard exams was going to Akola for holiday. It was great time meeting new people and having conversation with them about plane spotting and sharing our experiences.
We arrived at Nagpur Junction at 10:30AM and went straight to the flat which was arranged for our stay by my friend Manas's uncle. At the time Mumbai team was still running behind the schedule.
While on our way to the place where we will be staying at; we made stop in middle for breakfast - this was something different, we had Chana-Poha there next to Radisson blue hotel. As we were having our breakfast, my new Facebook friend Harshada, whom I've messaged about 12hours ago came there to meet us. I found her very friendly and enthusiastic. I've discussed spotting plans with her. By the time DC3 was in Indian airspace somewhere near Bhuj.
After dropping our bags but, we had a problem that we had no car to go to airport in that Nagpur's heat. Thanks to my friend Snehal Chourase whom I've met about 2 years ago. Thanks to her dad Mr. Deepak Chourase; who gave his car to us. It was 12:30PM by the time my team was on standby as plane was supposed to land in at 3:30PM which was planned arrival time. I made contact with Mumbai team & Ankur whom we are going to meet near runway.
As we went near the runway, we (Manas, Parth & Me) was asked to go To Indian Air Force officer's mess & take some rest by the officer (whom we are in touch) of 44th squadron, Nagpur as they were aware of our activity. As we went there, we received very warm welcome by Indian Air Force there with refreshment. But due to the time limit we have to rush back to spotting location as plane was about to land at 1:40PM instead of 3:30PM. We did spot landing of this aircraft from Runway 32.
We had one shot to take the pics of this aircraft as it comes in to land for the first time in India. Parth, Manas, Akshay, Prashob, Ankur & I witness this historic landing.
At 1:43PM IST - DC3 touched down at Nagpur.
After its landing, as a plane spotter next challenge was to locate the aircraft's parking spot at the airport.
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Nagpur spotter Harshada with Cheif Pilot Francisco Agullo |
Thanks to this crazy girl - Harshada who managed to get the parking location before we reach the airport. Ones we reach the airport we decided to wait there at the airport & meet the crew. After about 1.5 hours at 3:51PM the crew comes out – Francisco Agullo (Chief Pilot), Paul Bazeley (CEO - Aerometal International) & Daniel Meyer.
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The Group at Nagpur Airport |
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from left : Paul Bazeley, Francisco Agullo, me & Daniel Meyer |
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Facebook Post by DC3 World Tour page |
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Selfi with the team - Super 7 |
As the crew left for their hotel. I & Harshada, went to ATC tower to see the aircraft parking location. We had conversations with controllers there about plane spotting. It was great experience.
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Old man resting on the remote parking bay |
Selfi from ATC tower |
In the evening I got chance to click the DC3 parking from several kilometres from a terrace of an apartment building. Thanks to Aman Chourase & Mr. Swapnil Deshmukh for accompany taking night shots.
27th March: The Flight
After spotting this plane's landing we went back to airport and met my Mumbai friends. At 6:40PM we were on-board our train "Nagpur-Pune Superfast Express", a way back home to Pune.
I really had great time there in Nagpur in those 24 hours spent there. I never felt that I am in new city or meeting them all for first time. It really touched me. I remember my last calls made to Harshada & Snehal. It was emotional moment.
Thanks to Yash Patil, Mr. Jitendra Nikhate, Mr. Yogesh Naik, Jwalant Swadia & all those who have helped me to make this possible.
We've been also mentioned here in this blog post regarding "Stories of a DC-3 who wants to see the World" - Click Here in Leg 9.
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Thanks for Warm Wishes ! |
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