In 1976 a Jersey-based air taxi operator purchased two elderly Dakota
aircraft for cargo charters as Air Atlantique. Thus began the saga of an
airline that would eventually operate one of the largest fleets of
Dakotas in the world, acquire four-engined vintage propliners, diversify
into passenger charters and pleasure flying and oil-spill response work,
and take over the lease on its Coventry Airport base. From here a fleet
of historic aircraft sallied forth to participate in air shows around
the UK. The impending retirement of the airline's founder Mike Collett
brought about changes, but the freight charters and pleasure flying
continued until new regulations brought passenger flying in the Dakotas
to an end. Undaunted, Air Atlantique went on to open an aviation museum
and visitor centre at Coventry. This is the story of a unique and
much-loved British airline.