I had one flight in an AN-2 in the early 1990s. I've always been something of a 'type chaser' and so knew that one was going to visit my local flying club. So after work that day, I left early and found that it hadn't departed from its London base yet, so had hours to kill. Whilst waiting two chaps turned up in Flying Suits and so thinking that they were something to do with the Antonov, we started talking. They were from a local microlight club some 20 miles to the North, who said that they too were waiting for the aeroplane and were doing the same as I was. In the end, I thought it was better to follow them back as they would see it first and so I left not telling my friends where I was going.
Arriving at their club, on on old abandoned WW2 airfield, I was asked by one of the Instructors, there if I would like a cup of tea? Thinking that they were just being kind to a fellow aviator, I said yes, only to be told it was £25. Thought this was a bit steep for a cuppa, but turned out that they had arranged for a 50min flight in it and there was a spare seat and my 'donation' would be ample for the adventure.
Can't really remember much about it, it hissed on the ground and rumbled in the air. Each of us was given a few minutes at the controls. The insides were different from the model as had seats down the sides and there must have been 12 of us on board. Reminded me a little of an old train as had wire mesh lockers above our heads. We flew around the local area and made a few low passes at my own flying club!!
Few days later, I met up with my friends, who told me that the Colt turned up very late, but made some wonderful approaches into the grass airfield. I just smiled when I showed them my photos showing their faces looking up at me!!!!
If and if anyone has the time and the patience for a repaint, I would love of course one done in the colours of OM-UIN, the one that I flew in:
http://www.abpic.co.uk/results.php?q=om-uin&fields=all&sort=latest&limit=10
Cheers,
Martin
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