Denmark - Again

The delivery of a DC 4 to a post-war economy was an important event. WWII had sapped much of the world of any semblance of normal living. Now, the nations Europe were beginning the long process of revival. In that setting, Jim would be with Danish Air's new DC 4, #OY-DFI, for over a month - most of that time in Copenhagen training the pilots who would fly this plane. The preparations began on May 3, 1946 with the first flight of OY-DFI. The real adventure began with the Clover departure on the 6th. The route was the same as with the DC 3 transit of April except, with the added range of the DC 4, the stop in Ireland was skipped.

As Jim worked with the Danes his charisma wove its magic on them (as he had done everywhere else he had been through his life) and when he left, the airline presented him with an engraved 18K gold watch and the honors of The Royal Danish Aeronautical Society. The Danish magic impacted Jim as well as lifelong friendships were forged from the fraternity of the air.

The homeward trip started June 8th and was via The City of Light, The Big Apple and then LA.

From June 14th through the 19th Jim delivered a DC 4 to Air France representatives in Newark, NJ. Jim noted that on this run he had a few extra passengers – Diana Lewis, Nancy Hawks & Frank Fuller. But, alas – no Nancy Fredrickson.

Beginning July 6th Jim deliverd DC 4 VH-ANE to Trans Australian Airlines, Melbourne.

The interesting item of this trip was the return. Jim was bumped from his flight and stayed a few days on Guam because of "priority passengers coming from Bikini Atoll atomic bomb test." Somehow it’s not surprising Jim would once again be found in the vicinity of some history being made somewhere.