HERON DH 114. - Duchesse de Bretagne -G-AORG

[@steveallen4348]

Back in the sixties I worked for Executive Air engineering at Coventry Airport. We specialised in Heron's and Doves. I'm pretty sure G-AORG came through our hands as most Heron's did in those days. I believe I worked on this one as an Airframe Mechanic and would have carried out all levels of service and repair. The Heron was a beautiful aeroplane , as a mechanic I have many fond memories of them and flew on many test flights after servicing. Great memories.

[@rivet4431]

I repaired this aircraft in 1995 after it belly landed at Jersey.Replaced all the aft belly skins, several frames and stringers. It took about nine weeks . Ive got some lovely photos taken from start to finish.

[@jcgernot]

Bravo pour ce travail...cet avion le mérite bien

[@jimjohnson9237]

I flew the lycoming engine ones and worked on them also . In the US. We delivered 3 of them to the Fiji islands in 1986. Quite a plane

[@av8bvma513]

Do you have the photos online? Flickr?

[@bradtemplar1443]

PLEASE PLEASE, BRING BACK THAT MUSICAL PERIOD, SO ROMANTIC, DANCING THE LAST WALTZ WITH THE GIRL OF YOUR DREAMS FOR THAT LAST KISS GOOD NIGHT, Ah MEMORIES, what nostalgia.

[@quickmcglick]

If I ever become stupidly wealthy, this beauty is getting fixed right up.

[@endwood]

The music makes it !:-) Never flew the Heron only the Dove, typical Pommy design an ergonomic nightmare but handled oh ever so sweet:-)

[@vorn29]

No it doesn`t. There should never be any music over engine sound.

[@ashvindaranasinghe7105]

Wow! You were a Dove pilot? Awesome.😍😍😍

[@EricIrl]

@@ashvindaranasinghe7105 Yes - the music ruined the REAL music

[@bmc9504]

Viscount looks almost the same also produces music!

[@joselassalle5906]

I flew the Heron as a passenger with Prinair many times in Puerto Rico and neighboring islands.

[@GreenHopper62]

Quel avion... Beau film avec la musique qui va bien, bravo!

[@jcgernot]

Merci pour ce compliment

[@pascalcoole2725]

G-AORG isn't that the one used in the TV-series Dempsey and Makepeace ? lovely aircraft. Wonder why the designer choose for those verry small engines while two more powerfull engines could do the job. Then again... it made it a cool little airliner

[@alanstansfield2944]

No, the Heron used in the TV episode was G-ANUO. It now 'flies' on a plinth outside the old Croydon Airport, masquerading as Morton Air Services G-AOXL. If you have access to the ITVX catch up service, you'll find the episode in question is entitled, "Given To Acts Of Violence", series 1 ep 4.

[@None-zc5vg]

Herons used to fly into Ringway Airport in the late '50s: they often used a runway that was removed in the early '60s and their approach brought them low over the roof of my house, along with the B.E.A. and Aer Lingus DC-3s of the day. Can anyone recall the name of the operating airline (I think it began with an 'M') ?

[@stevemayrs6038]

Morton Air Services?

[@Sarah.Riedel]

My dad flew the DH Heron back in the '70s :)

[@ericwarnock12]

I Sarah, I worked for Swift Aire Lines in the 70s and we flew DH. Per chance did he fly for Swift?

[@Sarah.Riedel]

@@ericwarnock12 I'm not sure which airline it was to be honest, and he just passed away last month from COVID so I can't ask him. All I know is that it was a relatively small commuter airline and it might have had a hub in either Winter Park, FL or Monmouth Co. because those are where he was living at the time. Not much to go on I know lol. I do have a photo of him in uniform standing next to one of the Herons (or actually I think it's the Riley Skyliner conversion but anyway), maybe that would be a clue? I don't see any branding anywhere though. i.redd.it/rzcy9c7jez531.jpg

[@ericwarnock12]

@@Sarah.Riedel The airline I worked for was out of San Luis Obispo, Ca. So, it wasn't him. I'm sorry for you loss, by the way. After I left the message with you, I saw a film on KZbin about Swift Aire from 1978. It brought back a lot of good memories. Fun times a few years back.

[@triplanelover]

very neat airplane; I like this one better than the Riley conversion with 540's ...sounds better with two blade props too

[@mothmagic1]

I still say they look better with inverted inline engines than horizontally opposed. It's sad to think of such a beautiful type so sadly neglected as she is now.. Wish someone with very deep pockets would buy her and put her back in the air where she belongs.

[@bildingbildingovich6198]

Cool

[@HeavensGremlin]

This a/c flew again in Jun this year after nearly ten years grounded. However, it needs an engine.

[@shecky308]

Any of these still flying...?,let me know.i want it at osh kosh in 2020...let's make. It happen......!!!!!!!

[@swisscarenuweiba1975]

Apparently its up for sale.... guernseypress.com/news/2020/04/21/historic-passenger-aircraft-on-the-market/

[@ИгорьКасаткин-ь9о]

Красавчик !!!!

[@ashvindaranasinghe7105]

Is this still airworthy?

[@mothmagic1]

At the moment I don't think so. May have been wwithdrawn form use

[@skylos7436]

Fall in love