What has become of "The Iolar"

radar0976

What has become of "The Iolar" (EI-ABI) ? For those who don't know it is Aer Lingus' first aircraft, a De Havallind 84 Dragon. Aer Lingus used to fly it to air shows in the late 80's and early 90's. My uncle was one of the pilots who used to fly it.

I presume in the new era of low fares and cost saving that it is just mothballed in the corner of some hangar at DUB ?

atr7242

It's in a corner of hangar 6 but looks like they're trying to get it flying again.

radar0976

atr7242 wrote: »

It's in a corner of hangar 6 but looks like they're trying to get it flying again.

Really, wow that's great. Thanks for the info.

Nforce

..and it's a replica and not the original Eagle.

chughes

Nforce wrote: »

..and it's a replica and not the original Eagle.

"The inaugural service of the Irish Airline Aer Lingus was provided by a DH Dragon, EI-ABI "Iolar", which means "Eagle" in the Irish Language. For the 50th anniversary of the airline in 1986, a replica Dragon was acquired and restored as the "Iolar"." - Quote from Wikipedia.

I seem to remember reading that the original plane was being used by the RAF and was shot down over the Scilly Isles in 1942.

I hope the replica is airborne soon. I know that Classic Wings give pleasure flights in the UK in DH86 aircraft. It would be lovely to get a trip over the Irish countryside in this plane.

Blue Punto

Its actually EI-AFK

The real "BI" was shot down on 3/6/41 off Scilly Isles

But a lovely aircraft it is.
Always remember it hanging from the roof in the old Aviation muesuem in Dublin Airport and then was lucky to gain access to the aircraft @ the Newtonards airshow.

Man that cockpit is small

Poly

I remember it used to be hanging up in Dublin airport in a little museum that they had.

Dublin Airport was great back in the 80's, it had the little museum, great restaurants, great viewing areas, nice friendly staff. We used to go there for a family day out!
Now it’s a kip.

andy_g

No longer in hanger 6 im afriad she sits in the aer lingus commuter hanger since last year. she was damaged a number of years ago. but it would be nice to see her fly again.

Dacian

Nforce wrote: »

..and it's a replica and not the original Eagle.

Replica gives an image of a new build aircraft.

The 'Iolar' as we know it is an identical aircraft bought by EI to be used as a replacement for the original 'Iolar' which was shot down. The IAA allowed EI to re-use the EI-ABI reg for the 50th anniversary in 1986. The aircraft was originally EI-AFK.

I have been told by a mate in EI that the new CEO wants the Iolar in flyable condition for next year to be used for marketing puurposes. The plan is to have it in the air by the 75th anniversary staff party in May. He has also told me that EI plan to have a retro livery A320 in the fleet by then too. Both items of info have been mentioned by Mr. Mueller at a staff meeting attended by my mate.

Have already asked my mate to bring his camera and let me post the photos next May

atr7242

andy_g wrote: »

No longer in hanger 6 im afriad she sits in the aer lingus commuter hanger since last year. she was damaged a number of years ago. but it would be nice to see her fly again.

Seen it in 6 about a month ago...do they have two frames?
Heard the same about Herr CEO.

Oscar Bravo

Have a few picts somewhere of EI-ABI in Castlebar in the mid 90s,will put them up if i find them!! It was alongside an AN-2 (D-FWJG,i think the reg was)

punchdrunk

from memory wasn't she left out side in crap weather and that's how she was damaged? tail if i remember correctly or am i mixing it up with something else?

andy_g

punchdrunk wrote: »

from memory wasn't she left out side in crap weather and that's how she was damaged? tail if i remember correctly or am i mixing it up with something else?

Close she was damaged in winds during landing thats the info i was told about her. but atleast she is now in dry storage in the commuter hanger.

punchdrunk

andy_g wrote: »

Close she was damaged in winds during landing thats the info i was told about her. but atleast she is now in dry storage in the commuter hanger.

indeed replica or not,she should be returned to the sky's,
I know there's a recession on but this is a piece of national history & pride

atr7242

andy_g wrote: »

Close she was damaged in winds during landing thats the info i was told about her. but atleast she is now in dry storage in the commuter hanger.

I must have been mistaken when I saw it in 6 then.

andy_g

atr7242 wrote: »

I must have been mistaken when I saw it in 6 then.

They may have moved her again. How long ago did you see it in hangar 6 i can confirm tomorrow for definate if you want but definatly last i heard over in commuter lol

Delancey

Poly wrote: »

I remember it used to be hanging up in Dublin airport in a little museum that they had.

Dublin Airport was great back in the 80's, it had the little museum, great restaurants, great viewing areas, nice friendly staff. We used to go there for a family day out!
Now it’s a kip.

+ 1 - half the staff don't speak English and the rest don't give a sh1t plus very few interesting aircraft there these days.

Dacian

punchdrunk wrote: »

indeed replica or not,she should be returned to the sky's,
I know there's a recession on but this is a piece of national history & pride

As I said above the EI CEO wants her flying again for the 75th anniversary next year. Unlike the previous placeholder he is willing to invest time and money into the project. Expect to see Iolar in the air by next March/April.

radar0976

That's really great news that they are hoping to get her back in the air. I had the great privilege of having my first ever flight in "Iolar" at the opening ceremony of the new terminal at Farranfore Airport back in the 80's.

xflyer

Doesn't anyone else see the irony of a German putting 'Iolar' back in the air and the idea of painting an Airbus in old colours. It takes a foreigner to appreciate our heritage and the positive image it generates for the company. The aircraft was neglected under a series of Irish CEOs for the sake of the few quid it might cost to keep flying. We don't actually appreciate our the good stuff of our history much.

Edit: There is another irony about a German putting the Dragon back in the air considering the fate of the original, which wasn't in the RAF to correct an earlier post.

Tea 1000

xflyer wrote: »

Doesn't anyone else see the irony of a German putting 'Iolar' back in the air and the idea of painting an Airbus in old colours. It takes a foreigner to appreciate our heritage and the positive image it generates for the company. The aircraft was neglected under a series of Irish CEOs for the sake of the few quid it might cost to keep flying. We don't actually appreciate our the good stuff of our history much.

Edit: There is another irony about a German putting the Dragon back in the air considering the fate of the original, which wasn't in the RAF to correct an earlier post.

The Irish were always crap at heritage, despite trying to fool the tourist folk that we're dripping with it. In reality, we've buldozed or sold anything that even hinted at heritage here.

radar0976

Tea 1000 wrote: »

The Irish were always crap at heritage, despite trying to fool the tourist folk that we're dripping with it. In reality, we've buldozed or sold anything that even hinted at heritage here.

Yes indeed, sad but true. While it's not ancient this aircraft is a very important part of Irish history. We could get into the whole debate of what's been done with this country but that's for another forum I guess. The point is that this would be a good news story for a change.

With the explosion in the number of festivals around the country wouldn't it be fantastic to see the Iolar bumbling through the air at some of them. It would be a real crowd pleaser and crowd puller and would certainly be a shot in the arm for any event it attended. Great PR for Aer Lingus too to show that they have still maintained a little of their charm in these cut throat times.

Dacian

xflyer wrote: »

Doesn't anyone else see the irony of a German putting 'Iolar' back in the air and the idea of painting an Airbus in old colours. It takes a foreigner to appreciate our heritage and the positive image it generates for the company.

My mate is EI staff. He actually emailed a few managers approx 2 years ago suggesting the retro livery idea for the 75th birthday. No reply from the CEO, a email reply from a senior exec citing 'economic conditions' preventing it happening and no response at all from EI PR/Media dept.

Stovepipe

Hi all,
the Iolar is now dismantled in Hangar 6 and is being restored, as time permits, by a group of pilots and engineers.I'm one of them.
regards
Stovepipe

xflyer

Bet I could name most of them? Is it the same old gang? Good to hear that it's going to be back in the air. Look forward to seeing it again.

pclancy

Thanks Stovepipe, photos would be cool if possible!

radar0976

pclancy wrote: »

Thanks Stovepipe, photos would be cool if possible!

Yes some photos would be great. I'm sure its a labour of love for you guys. Very best of luck with it and I hope you are also getting the sufficient financial support you need too.

caaxx

Great to see Iolar back in the air on the news today. Looks like a fantastic restoration by all concerned.

My grand-uncle, Joseph Cleary, owned the original Iolar in 1950. Would really love to learn more of the history if anyone knows more?

Delancey

I read that the original Iolar was destroyed in 1940 in the Battle of Britain ?

caaxx

Must have been this restored one he owned then

Blue Punto

The Iolar as we know it today was originally reg G-AECZ and built in 1936.
It was bought in 1950 and registered EI-AFK and I beleive flown out of Weston before being bought in 1968 and the false reg of the original Iolar EI-ABI given to it.
For many years it hung from the Muesuem that is now the duty free in Dublin Airport and got very dusty while doing so.This muesum also had a mockup cockpit of a Viscount which I spent many days of my childhood sitting in .(Yes I am that old)
When it was closed down the "new" Iolar was put into storage and eventually brought back to flying condition in 1986 after two years restoration and making it one of only two airworthy examples of a DH84 at that time.
I was lucky enough to make it on board that year while at the Newtonards airshowand got some great snaps too.(must root them out from my dads attic)
The cockpit is beyond tiny.

All this is off the top of my head but Im sure Im recalling this stuff from a dark cobwebbed filled corner of my brain correctly

If not sure Im sure ill be told:D

Delancey

Blue Punto wrote: »

This muesum also had a mockup cockpit of a Viscount which I spent many days of my childhood sitting in .(Yes I am that old)

Ah jayz , we're not that old

Blue Punto

Delancey wrote: »

Ah jayz , we're not that old

I am:eek:


Back then there was a fairly close knit group of spotters up in dublin airport were we all knew each other and of course took the p1ss out of each other too some sat upstairs in the old mezz resturant while others sat in pier A or went down to the link

OH memories

shamwari

Saw Iolar or a replica thereof fly around DAP around 40 minutes ago. Also saw two or three single engined aircraft flying in some sort of formation earlier this afternoon too. I take it that they are all connected with Aer Lingus having a significant birthday this weekend....:)

Tenger

shamwari wrote: »

Saw Iolar or a replica thereof fly around DAP around 40 minutes ago. Also saw two or three single engined aircraft flying in some sort of formation earlier this afternoon too. I take it that they are all connected with Aer Lingus having a significant birthday this weekend....:)

Links fixed below

roundymac

Anyone any idea what happened to the Viscount cockpit, was it a mock up? I thought it was from one of EI's Viscounts that were scrapped at Dublin.

Blue Punto

Tenger

Links dont seem to be working

EchoIndia

roundymac wrote: »

Anyone any idea what happened to the Viscount cockpit, was it a mock up? I thought it was from one of EI's Viscounts that were scrapped at Dublin.

You are right, it was real and was the cockpit seection from EI-AOH. I don't know what happened it and many of the other exhibits (remember all of the cutaway engines?) beyond that they were put into storage in an outbuilding at Castlemoate House beside the airport. A number of Air Corps aircraft were also stored there for a while but were later recovered by the AC for display elsewhere.

Bessarion

Here she is at the EI staff party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXavk03qc2c

caaxx

Blue Punto wrote: »

The Iolar as we know it today was originally reg G-AECZ and built in 1936.
It was bought in 1950 and registered EI-AFK and I beleive flown out of Weston before being bought in 1968 and the false reg of the original Iolar EI-ABI given to it.

I asked my Dad about the history of Joseph Cleary (his uncle) and the Iolar. As you pointed out it was a sister aircraft of the original Aer Lingus Iolar. Joseph bought it in 1950 along with Darby Kennedy and based it out of Weston. Darby was the owner of Weston at the time.

Joseph was a racecourse inspector and used the plane (flown by Darby as Joesph wasn't a pilot) to fly to the various race courses he was involved with. They would typically land the plane on the racecourse itself. My Dad tells me that they used to land it in a field at the back of where my parents still live in Mullingar.

I'm not sure when Joesph sold the plane or whether he sold it directly to Aer Lingus, or to somebody else in the interim.

Dad flew with Joseph and Darby to Mallow racecourse on one occasion. He tells a story of spotting another plane from the cabin window that was getting a bit too close for his comfort and having to relay the sight to the cockpit.

Ironically this is the one and only plane my Dad ever flew in. He has never travelled in a modern commercial jet, and at 81 years old has no plans to in the future! Maybe Iolar put him off flying for life ;-)

Does anyone know if it would be possible to arrange for my Dad to have an up close look at Iolar on the ground, see if it jogs a few more memories?!?

Tenger

Blue Punto wrote: »

Tenger

Links dont seem to be working

new links:
EI-DVM-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tearbringer/5769940180/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tearbringer/5769396093/in/photostream

Iolar-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tearbringer/5769891618/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tearbringer/5769390407/in/photostream

Dogwatch

caaxx wrote: »

I asked my Dad about the history of Joseph Cleary (his uncle) and the Iolar. As you pointed out it was a sister aircraft of the original Aer Lingus Iolar. Joseph bought it in 1950 along with Darby Kennedy and based it out of Weston. Darby was the owner of Weston at the time.

Joseph was a racecourse inspector and used the plane (flown by Darby as Joesph wasn't a pilot) to fly to the various race courses he was involved with. They would typically land the plane on the racecourse itself. My Dad tells me that they used to land it in a field at the back of where my parents still live in Mullingar.

I'm not sure when Joesph sold the plane or whether he sold it directly to Aer Lingus, or to somebody else in the interim.

Dad flew with Joseph and Darby to Mallow racecourse on one occasion. He tells a story of spotting another plane from the cabin window that was getting a bit too close for his comfort and having to relay the sight to the cockpit.

Ironically this is the one and only plane my Dad ever flew in. He has never travelled in a modern commercial jet, and at 81 years old has no plans to in the future! Maybe Iolar put him off flying for life ;-)

Does anyone know if it would be possible to arrange for my Dad to have an up close look at Iolar on the ground, see if it jogs a few more memories?!?

Nice piece of history. A phone call to Aerlingus PR dept and tell them about your Dad and his close assocation with the aircraft might get you what you are after.
Good luck to both and let us know how you get on.

Tembo

Greeting everyone from Elliot Lake, Northern Ontario, Canada.

I came across this board while searching for "olde" pictures of EI-AFK.

As a boy in the early fifties living in the then little village of Tallaght I would cycle to Weston Aerodrome on Sundays just to be near the planes!

Every once in a while enough pocket money was saved up to go for a ride in EI-AFK! Back then it cost the huge sum of ten shillings for a 30 minute ride over Dublin city centre!

Back then the best seat was by the door as the sliding window was great for photography.

Back then EI-AFK had no radio and the pilot - a Captain Kennedy, had to phone Collinstown Control for clearance before take-off!

No electric starters then either - it was done the hard way - prop spin!!!

If anyone remembers those early fifties days of Weston then you may recall the common problem with grazing cattle wandering onto the "runway". No radios then; landing aircraft would buzz the the west end of the field and everyone would head out to chase the cattle clear!!!

The good old days when I was but 13, now 70!!!

pclancy

Welcome on board Tembo, nice to hear of your memories we're always open to good stories and yarns

Down here in New Zealand there are still quite a few airfields where you have to buzz the cattle and sheep before you make your approach

xflyer

Back then EI-AFK had no radio and the pilot - a Captain Kennedy, had to phone Collinstown Control for clearance before take-off!

It wasn't just any Captain Kennedy. It was the Captain 'Darby' Kennedy. Still very much alive and living in Spain when last heard of. Sold Weston for millions.

Someone should write his biography before he leaves us. Imperial Airways, Aer Lingus as Chief Pilot and Weston. Quite a story. In Britain he would be a Sir by now.

You're one of a long list of people, me included who flew with him. Despite the saying that there are 'no old bold pilots'. He was one, not just in flying terms either.

Thinking about it. I had a number of interesting moments in the air with him!:eek:

the beerhunter

Tembo wrote: »

Captain Kennedy, had to phone Collinstown Control for clearance before take-off!

things haven't changed too much - ifr flights out of weston still have to phone us at "collinstown" for takeoff clearance

Tenger

In relation to Darby Kennedy, he trained so many of the EI pilots from the 60's onwards. While many of them are retired or approaching it, he had a huge impact on Irish aviation overall.

Delancey

xflyer wrote: »

It wasn't just any Captain Kennedy. It was the Captain 'Darby' Kennedy. Still very much alive and living in Spain when last heard of. Sold Weston for millions.

Someone should write his biography before he leaves us. Imperial Airways, Aer Lingus as Chief Pilot and Weston. Quite a story. In Britain he would be a Sir by now.

You're one of a long list of people, me included who flew with him. Despite the saying that there are 'no old bold pilots'. He was one, not just in flying terms either.

Thinking about it. I had a number of interesting moments in the air with him!:eek:

Amazed to hear he still lives , I presumed he was RIP - must be very elderly now ?

M5

Just spotted this flying of Kilcock about 10 mins ago. Had to google it to remember why i recognised her

Suasdaguna1

M5 wrote: »

Just spotted this flying of Kilcock about 10 mins ago. Had to google it to remember why i recognised her

Was doing circuits at Clonbullogue and Weston re training.

smurfjed

What ever happened to Roger Kennedy?

smurfjed