The Real Flying Company

The Real Flying Company have confirmed their support by donating a flight in a Stampe SV4c based at Shoreham Airfield.

The aircraft was built in Morocco in 1947 and served with the French Air Force training school at Carcassonne. During this time "1139" led a charmed life for the most part, being selected by the Commanding Officer as his personal communications aircraft. After twenty years of service, it was de-commissioned and sold into private hands, given the French civilian registration of F-BANE.

In 1970 the aircraft was sold to the famous Rothmans Aerobatic team and brought to the UK registered as G-AYCK. The team operated "CK" as the number 2 aircraft in their 4-ship display routine, during which time it was flown by several famous aerobatic pilots such as Neil Williams, Manx Kelly and Iain Weston.

Sold again in the mid-1970s to private owners, "CK" was put into storage in 1980 following damage in an accident at Crowland Airfield. In 1991 the aircraft was bought by Cathay Pacific 747 Captain John Graham, who had it completely rebuilt by Classic and Vintage Aircraft near Southampton, a superb restoration which took four years. John kept "CK" in Jersey until reluctantly selling it to the Real Flying Company at Shoreham in April 2003.

Robb Metcalfe will pilot the aircraft for the challenge. No stranger to flying classic aircraft Robb himself is the owner of a Bowers Fly Baby 1A aka Junkers C1.

Many Thanks to Lisa and all the team at The Real Flying Company.

To donate to fly2help go to my justgiving page.