Two children were filmed jumping and playing with the control surfaces of a Varig Douglas DC-3 aircraft, preserved in Porto Alegre (RS). The video, which already circulates among several channels and profiles on social media, has generated controversy and even revolt among aviation enthusiasts.
In the images, it is possible to see a boy jumping on the left elevator of the plane, while another touches the trim tab of the aircraft, which is about 86 years old. It is also possible to see, in the background, another child being photographed on the wing, just behind the engine.
“Obviously this child is not to blame for anything, but the parents letting the child do this is absurd”, commented aircraft mechanic Lito Sousa, from the Aviões e Músicas channel, in a video posted on his Instagram profile.
In fact, the vast majority of comments do not criticize children playing on the aircraft, but demand an attitude from parents.
Images obtained by the Aeroflap Portal show a small dented part on the edge of the surface where the child was playing. However, we don't know if the damage was already there before the images were recorded.
Our team got in touch with the press office at Boulevard Laçador, the mall that handles Varig's aircraft, this Tuesday morning (03). However, we have not received a response at the time of publication of this article.
Even so, the place has notices, asking that it is not allowed to board the aircraft.
refurbished aircraft
The Douglas DC-3 with PP-ANU registration is 86 years old, being one of the first models manufactured and one of the oldest that still remain in preservation. The aircraft belonged to the Varig Museum, which closed in 2005, shortly before the end of the company's operations.
The PP-ANU began flying in 1936 on American Airlines and went through several companies, including VASP and Transportes Aéreos Nacional. In 1956 the aircraft was acquired by Real Transportes Aéreos and was almost sold in 1959, but was damaged in an accident on the ground.
With the purchase of REAL Aerovias by Varig in 1961, the PP-ANU became part of the fleet of the airline from Rio Grande do Sul. According to the blog DC-3 Brazil project, the ANU has 53.308 recorded flight hours.
The closure of the Varig Museum in 2005 led to the abandonment of the historic plane. It was possible to see the DC-3 out in the open around Salgado Filho Airport, in Porto Alegre. But in May 2016, a group of businessmen, alongside former Varig employees, began restoring the PP-ANU.
With the extensive refurbishment concluded, the DC-3 was installed at Shopping Boulevard Laçador, as part of the Varig Experience project, being one of the main attractions of the place. The mall is also a point for aviation enthusiasts and photographers due to its proximity to the capital's airport, including holes in the fence for the use of cameras.
The restored DC-3 still received internal visits, with visitors being welcomed by employees in period uniforms from Varig. With the arrival of the pandemic, activities were suspended.
This Saturday, Varig Experience promotes an event to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the founding of the extinct company, with the presence of flight attendants dressed in the uniforms of the 1960s alongside the historic aircraft.
