Passing of JP II

[202]

With the lamented passing of JP II (RIP) perhaps it is appropriate to recall the IAC involvement in his 1979 visit.

The outstanding memory, still spoken of by many, is of the 4 ship Fouga escort for the 747 as it cruised in over the Park.

Anybody else have any memories of this or any other IAC angles to the visit?

[John K]

Hi 202, yes I've got a couple of memories of the Papal visit all those years ago. I was out on the line for the Fouga flypast and I remember it was a great sight seeing the Fougas on their return and as we ground crew took charge marshalling them back into a relatively small space on the ramp.
Also the security at the time was German CH53s with HEER and Bundesgrenschutz or something on the side, I seem to remember, or was that when the German Chancellor came for a visit? I've got a couple of photos of myself standing next to one of them.
RIP to JP 11, he was a great man.

[Irish251]

The support was three Bundesgrenzschutz Pumas (registrations D-HAXQ/HAXS/HAXT), two KLM S-61Ns and I think a Bell 212 of Irish Helicopters.  The callsigns "Papal 1" etc. were used.

[sealion]

The Bundesgrenshutz helis were also the first aircraft to appear with GARDA on the fuselage.

There is a nice write up in "A View from the Tower", about the work involved in controlling movement from the ground,while almost the entire population of ireland left their homes to see him in his all too short visit here.

[202]

Thanks guys for informative contributions. Yes, I remember that combination of German, Dutch and Irish helicopters in use.

Presumably the AIIIs, Cessnas etc were deployed in traffic control roles etc.

Does anybody know who the pilots of the Fougas were for that flypast?

[Silver]

The film footage of his 747 coming into Irish airspace accompanied by two Fouga's is a lasting image for me.

There is also a fleet photo of AC aircraft in 'Wings Over Ireland' - they were lined up for a photoshoot in preparation of his visit.

[Lurk]

It wasn't exactly an Air Corps input, but I was present as a member of the Air Corps in the Papal Guard of Honour for JP2's arrival at Dublin Airport. It was a proud and memorable moment.

[Flyboy]

I remember standing in the Phoenix Park and seeing the 747 and Fouga's flying over the Park. The Fouga's looked tiny flying beside the 747.

[sealion]

Quote (202 @ 05 April 2005,10:27)

Does anybody know who the pilots of the Fougas were for that flypast?

Comdt P Curley was formation leader, with capt B Murphy,Lt N Mc Hugh and 2/lt Regan. 2/Lt D Mc Carthy joined them in a fifth Fouga for the Cross formation...

[202]

Thanks guys. It must rnak a rather rare occasion in the annals of modern aviation-- the ceremonial escort of a passenger airliner by military jets (as distinct from cases where airliners have been escorted by jets arising from security or emergency considerations) -- I find it hard to think of comparable situations worldwide.

[Buran]

its been said that the 747 had to struggle to fly slow enough for the fougas to keep up (full flaps etc).
Any truth to this?

(I do know that the 747 cruises faster than most airliners)

[John K]

Hi Short Finals, yes you're right about the pumas, can you remember what the CH53s were in for?
I remember looking out of the window of Flying Wing block at the sea of people in the Phoenix Park off in the distance.
I doubt that view is still there with the amount of development that's gone on in Dublin over the last ten years or so.

[pilatus]

There was footage of the 4ship of fougas escorting the 747 into dublin on tv today on the popes visit to ireland documentary that started at 12 i think it was on rte1.there was also a lot of footage of helicopters which ferried him around.RIP JPII.

[Tony Kearns]

John,
 I don't have a record of a CH53 at Baldonnel during the Popes visit. Only the three Pumas as Short Finals listed.
Tony K

[Irish251]

The CH-53s (three of them, I think) were German and visited on a separate occasion in support of a German State visit - by their President, I think.  I know that they landed at UCD, Belfield in the course of this.  I believe this was in April 1980 and one of the aircraft was serialled 84+67.