A once-familiar sight in the skies of France - where its distinctive shape was well-known - is visiting Le Bourget, bringing an attractive and historic dimension to the 1997 Show.
The last-remaining airworthy Nord 2501 Noratlas transport aircraft in the world (from more than 400 originally built between 1949 and 1961) is privately owned by a preservation association based at Aix les Milles in Provence.
Derelict
When the association acquired the aircraft in 1993, it had lain virtually derelict for nine years and the twin 2068hp SNECMA/Bristol Hercules 759 radials were removed from the wings and couldn't be turned.
Around 18,000 man/hours later, the extensively re-built aircraft took to the skies again on 20 May 1995 - its second 'first' flight...almost 40 years after it originally took to the air in 1956.
Formerly with the French Armee de l'Air as 64-BL (where crews referred to individual aircraft as 'La Grise' in honour of their grey paintwork) the Noratlas spent its service life carrying up to 7,900kg of freight, 45 fully-armed troops, or 35 paratroops who exited through distinctive clam-shall doors between the aircraft's twin booms.
The Noratlas also served for Germany, Israel and Portugal, where its combination of reliability and load-carrying ability (the aircraft could carry its impressive load at a maximum speed of 440km/h over 3,000 km) made it a popular workhorse.
You can visit this piece of French aviation history in the static display. President of Le Noratlas de Provence Association, Patrick Macabies, will be delighted to welcome you and show you around.
Source: Flight Daily News
