Cat off

Woke up to a miserable day today, cloud down on the hills and raining gently and steadily. I'd planned to go back to Connel Airport as the Catalina crewman told me yesterday that they'd planned to be off around 10am - wanted a lie-in, he said.

I was there by 10.15 and joined a small but determined band of plane geeks at the gate - we were not being allowed in until the Cat left the apron and moved out on to the runway. These things take time and it was twenty minutes or more until the first engine started up with a puff of smoke, followed swiftly by the second. After a further wait for checks the big Cat moved out on to the runway whereupon we spotters were allowed in - I moved down beside the runway a little to get a better view of the take-off. 

My Blip today shows her about to leave the ground with the caravan park spread out behind her. She rapidly gained height and was soon lost in the gloom - see extra. Only the sound of her engines gave away her position as she departed en route to Prestwick and the International Airshow next Saturday.