back in the late 90's i worked as a airport firefighter at BWI. one foggy night we saw what looked like a 747 with props. As it got closer this aircraft came into view and we were stunned. We had never heard of this make and we were lucky enough to be given a tour by the pilots. The interior (with the exception of the navigation equipment) was unchanged. It was amazing seeing the history of the aircraft. We never saw it again but i still remember that night

The great grandfather of the 747.

I remember seeing G-ASDC ‘Plain Jane’ at Southampton in the 70s. Used to carry Ford components to and from Germany plus the odd race horse I believe!

I saw her fly in 2003 in Jo'burg. Wonderful aircraft

I love the sound of those pratts. I never realized these things were converted dc-4's, but now that you mention it I can definitely see that aside from the cockpit it is a dc-4 or a C-54.

We were acents in Spain for Aviatuon Traders and we sold/leased two of these aircraft to the Spanish Airline AVIACO flying from Barcelona to Mallorca.

Not sure if this aircraft is still flying anymore . But south africa a gold mine of old various aircraft . And worth the visit .

I was an apprentice aircraft engineer in the late 80's early 90's at pacific aerospace in Hamilton New Zealand. This aircraft and another the same were parked there for a number of years. They were like a big adventure play ground to us young apprentices. I can still remember the smell inside them and pulling 8 props apart to replace seals. Good times :)

Aer Lingus had three of these Carvair planes in the mid 1960s.

Remember these flying from Lydd airport in Kent along with Bristol Freighters and Super Freighters. Carvairs used to go to Greneva and Freighters used to go to Le Touquet. Spent many a happy afternoon at Lydd watching these planes flying as a kid.What a shame there are so few about now.

Beautiful cargoplane

Oh what a rush to see my old plane ZK-NWB, thank you Matt. We did a missed approach over the runway at NZWN in this girl in 1979 at about 300ft AGL then flew round the harbour at 500ft. What a laugh, I looked up from the cockpit and saw a startled seagull flying over us! I still feel and hear the throb of those Pratt&Whitneys that day beating up the harbour like a Reno airshow racer.

I'd love to see one of these fly at Oshkosh.

Dad, can we have a 747? No, we already have a 747 at home *747 at home*

I am a BIG fan of the Carvair, and this is the best clip I've seen so far of the type. It is my plan to win a big sum in the lottery and buy this one, as it's for sale a couple of years now :-)). I watched them land and take-off at Rotterdam (Zeatienhoven) when I was a boy.

This plane is currently based at Rand Airport in Germiston. It's the same place it was flying from in the clip. Unfortunately, it no longer flies. It sits in a corner of the airport, tethered up and weathered. I have seen it many times when driving past Rand as it can be seen from the road running alongside. I believe there are plans for the plane to fly again though.

I swear this plane is just an undersized propeller driven 747.

There is an excellent book about the Carvair, by Patrick Dean. Everyone with a soft spot for this, eh, beautiful aircraft should have it.

When they say your flying on a jumbo airplane this is what they had in mind

I flew in a DC-6 derived version across the Channel in 1972, between Southend and Ostende. Loaded up, it climbed very slowly compared to this presumably empty air-show demonstration flight. It was a regular cross-Channel service.

Such an amusing aircraft :)

That's the same type of airplane they had in Goldfinger 007 movie

that takes me back to Southend!!!!

Great Video,,,,

Funny nose art on this airplane.

A great and rare aircraft. I remember seeing them every day where I lived as a kid.I wish they hadn't put that stupid face on it.

What a funny looking bird👌👌👌👌

aits a happy plane

@critch1901 The reason Boeing followed this example was that the 747 was only expected to run for a few years as Supersonic was going to be the way forward. But there would always be a need for large capacity freight aircraft so the 747 was designed to be dual purpose

This one brings back some memories. I worked in a hangar at MEM and a Carvair came in there often. One winter day, the FE had a really hard time starting the number two engine. It backfired so many times, we started to hold our ears when he tried it again!

The poor man's 747.

@awuma- you were on British United's carvairs? Did this service go to either Geneva or Paris?

Looks like an oversized Bristol Freighter.

Does anyone else notice that when the plane is landing the nose is at a very steep down angle? Co-pilot: AHHHH! where gonna crash, and right at the run way!

The original 747

more natural version of 747

747 grandad =)

Are you from Southend Matt?

Who come from 2024? 👇

747 100

Does look like a 747 doesn't it

747 who?

When you buy a 747 on wish

youre head is too heavy to fly .

WTF is that paint job

That is the ugliest plane I have EVER seen...

This is the ugliest plane I ever seen