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Post by calflier on Feb 21, 2011 23:20:34 GMT 1
Thanks to a offer by Cubana airlines I was able to fly to Havana,last december,as it was only a month after returning from the far east,it was too good an offer to turn down,here are some photos and for Beemer some old American cars. I was delayed by the snow fall at Gatwick and had to go to Stansted,but Cubana put us in a 5 star hotel for the night at Hanbury manor,the next day the IL96 was on its way to Havana via Holguin. The IL96-300 at Stansted being towed onto stand, after diverting from a snow bound Gatwick.  Club tropical business class section,despite some heavy turbulence near the Azores,it was a very enjoyable flight,helped by a Cuban band returning from a european tour,playing at the back of the aircraft,great Cuban hospitality  The amazing old American cars of old Havana.   I hired this old Chevy and drove about an hour to Santa Cruz,a seaside town on the north coast.    The Hershey electric railway,train about to leave Casa Blanca station,for the town named after the American chocolate company who had a factory at Hershey during the Baptista years.  Casa Blanca station Havana.   The Cuban people have a lot in comon with the Vietnamese people,they are very friendly,I was invited to ride in the cab of the train,the driver had picked up a leg of pork halfway down the track for the family christmas dinner.  The scene approaching Hershey station,about 45 miles from Havana,like something from the 1950,s  Hershey station Cuba.The trains were bought I think from Barcelona many years ago.  A former IL62 of Cubana at Jose Marti airport.Will hopefully become part of a museum.  Another former Cubana IL62 is set up as Bar cafe at Jose Marti,and was being frequented mostly by airline staff on their breaks,  Inside the bar Cafetaria IL62,  returning to LGW,this time by Cubana IL96-300.  Like Vietnam ,Cuba is a delight to visit,I thought it was quite urgent to do so,before the Americans go in there and in my opinion ruin it,at the moment there are no chains at all,that is no Macdonalds and Holiday inns etc,everying is Cuban owned and its great,my advice go see it before its too late. hoped you likje this photos and if you want to see more let me know, thanks for looking best regards Calflier. |
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Post by Beemer on Feb 21, 2011 23:40:54 GMT 1
Absolutely bloody brilliant Calflier. The way you have positioned the cars in the shots is professional indeed and the cars themselves are wonderful, but am I right in saying that the engines in them are not what they should be. You hear stories of fitting dumper truck engines in them as they can't source the originals any more. How did the old Chevy perform that you hired? I was in Mexico a few years ago and you can almost see Cuba and I thought then I would loved to go there. Regards Beemer.
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Post by calflier on Feb 21, 2011 23:51:05 GMT 1
Absolutely bloody brilliant Calflier. The way you have positioned the cars in the shots is professional indeed and the cars themselves are wonderful, but am I right in saying that the engines in them are not what they should be. You hear stories of fitting dumper truck engines in them as they can't source the originals any more. How did the old Chevy perform that you hired? I was in Mexico a few years ago and you can almost see Cuba and I thought then I would loved to go there. Regards Beemer. Hi Beemer,it was the main reason for going to Cuba to see these cars,and there are so many of them,and you are right,the engines are not the originals and are not powerful enough to drive all the systems such as air con which some of the old cars had even then,sorry I think I misled you when I said I hired the Chevy, it came with a driver,but dont let the smart exterior fool you,it was a bit like the Anthill mobs car, our of wacky races inside there was very little of the floor,health and safety as you can see from the pic is virtually non existant so you take your life into your own hands, Anyway anyone with an interest in cars needs to go here not sure why Top gear havent been there yet,Ah well beat them this time regards Calflier. |
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Post by speedbird1960 on Feb 22, 2011 12:28:13 GMT 1
Absolutely bloody brilliant Calflier. The way you have positioned the cars in the shots is professional indeed and the cars themselves are wonderful, but am I right in saying that the engines in them are not what they should be. You hear stories of fitting dumper truck engines in them as they can't source the originals any more. How did the old Chevy perform that you hired? I was in Mexico a few years ago and you can almost see Cuba and I thought then I would loved to go there. Regards Beemer. Hi Beemer,it was the main reason for going to Cuba to see these cars,and there are so many of them,and you are right,the engines are not the originals and are not powerful enough to drive all the systems such as air con which some of the old cars had even then,sorry I think I misled you when I said I hired the Chevy, it came with a driver,but dont let the smart exterior fool you,it was a bit like the Anthill mobs car, our of wacky races inside there was very little of the floor,health and safety as you can see from the pic is virtually non existant so you take your life into your own hands, Anyway anyone with an interest in cars needs to go here not sure why Top gear havent been there yet,Ah well beat them this time regards Calflier. Hi Calflier. Cuba is a place i have always wanted to go to, i love American metal. My favorites are 57 Chevy Bel Airs / 55 stingrays / 65 Mustangs and Dodge Chargers. It looks like you had a fantastic time over there. I found a short video of Top Gear in Cuba, i don't know if they filmed more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAW2OnuxDSQThanks for sharing those fantastic photo's. Mike / Speedbird |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2011 20:26:11 GMT 1
 Calflier, I agree with all that has been said. One of my work colleagues has just returned from Cuba, said he flew from his resort to Havana, loved it, but hated the flight in some beat up Russian prop aircraft which he said he would never fly on again. Love the pictures of the cars, GREAT Bob 
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Post by johnoakes on Feb 22, 2011 22:45:50 GMT 1
Just breath takingly good.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful experience with us--the forum just gets better.
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Post by calflier on Feb 22, 2011 23:25:52 GMT 1
Many thanks to everyone,that has looked at my photographs,I hope that I in small way,Ican help the people I met on my travels in these two countries,by showing the what I think are the best things I saw,and maybe encourage people to travel there,I have some more from Cuba,but as I filled a 8mb card with photos,so I better stop after this,anyway here are some more hope you like. thanks again to all best regards Calflier. Scenes from Old Havana cars and all,these sights are not stage managed for the tourists but everyday scenes.   Hungary car?   The charming streets of Old Havana,my hotel was just around the corner.     On the waterfront,     These ferries ply between Havana and Casablanca station,across the harbour.  These old steam engines were used in the sugar mills,now slowly decaying near the Capitol building in downtown Havana,about twenty engines and tenders are present,I bought the security men some food,and they allowed me to roam around the yard taking pictures,amazing situation.  The Capitol building Havana,cant think were I have seen another building like this?  The very complete cockpit of the Bar Cafetaria IL62 at Jose Marti,worth the price of a Latte or an expresso.  The fantastic museum of the revolution, a must see in Havana.  thanks for looking,and I have enjoyed posting them also Calflier. |
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Post by coaxingtin on Feb 23, 2011 0:34:09 GMT 1
More please. Briilliant stuff, so much much more interesting than boring modern airliners! I remember seeing a Sea Fury southbound over the Wirral around 1957 when Hawker at Blackpool were doing them up for delivery to Cuba. It had the markings covered in what may have been masking tape.
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Post by calflier on Feb 23, 2011 13:17:54 GMT 1
Thanks for that,yep the Sea fury was a very fast attack a/c.and looks good in Cuban markings,they also have the engine from the U2 that was famously shot down at the time of the bay of pigs,and some home made tanks,converted from tractors!
thanks again Calflier
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Post by ronturner on Feb 24, 2011 9:44:57 GMT 1
Thanks for starting this subject. Great photos. I agree with your comment. Best to get there quickly as the US will soon end their ridiculous embargo. It is only a matter of time before there will be a Macdonalds, a Walmart or a Walgreans on every corner.
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Post by calflier on Feb 24, 2011 14:57:59 GMT 1
Yes Ron,it will be sad but I agree,its just a matter of time,thanks
Calflier.
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