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Post by bhk on Jan 15, 2012 14:25:44 GMT -5
I've read both TLWH and "Escape of The Pacific Clipper" by George L. Flynn. While Escape is more colorful and interesting (not to mention riddled with poor grammer and spelling errors), it's 99% fiction. I had heard that about the Flynn book. Bruce
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Post by bhk on Jan 15, 2012 14:26:40 GMT -5
Good-oh, Dan. I hope you enjoy the journey. Bruce
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Post by Dan on Jan 18, 2012 4:03:41 GMT -5
Well, I've got it all loaded up, Bruce!! ;D Your install worked just fine! It's currently floating in San Francisco with a different panel by Ken Mitchell and Flight Dynamics by FSAviator - both available at CalClassic. I also decided to change the skins that, while not as 'pretty', they reflect the Pacific Clipper NC18602 in the four different paint schemes used during the infamous flight. I found the file while looking for different props (none - had to modify myself) and a good sound file - used the WOP B-29 sounds, since in searching, I found the payware version at SimMarket and in reading a review of it, learned that they had talked to a number of people familiar with the real B314 and they said in real life it sounded more like a B-29 inside/out then any other plane of that era (It used the Wright GR-2600 - the B-29 used the Wright R-3350) - different, but close enough. The paint file by Evan Butterbrodt also contains a brief synopsis of the flight and I assume it is accurate. FS2004 Boeing B314 Pacific Clipper NC18602Name: b314_02.zip FS2004 Boeing B314 Pacific Clipper NC18602, famous for its historical around-the-world flight. Includes four texture folders and aircraft.cfg file for Mike Stone's B314 model (SB314.ZIP). Repaint by Evan G. Butterbrodt. www.calclassic.com/b314.htmsecure.simmarket.com/pilots-boeing-b314-the-clipper-online-v2.phtmlSo, with that said, I'm currently enjoying dinner in San Francisco while the boat is being loaded up with all the amenities required for this journey - none of which are 'standard' issue . . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by viperpilot on Jan 19, 2012 0:06:05 GMT -5
Bruce, Thanks so much for uploading the Flight Info! I'm going to give it a go as well. BTW... did you like the book? I especially enjoyed the ending with the conversation between Capt. Ford and the LaGuardia flight controllers when he arrived in New York! Who do you think the "bug sprayers" were that boarded the aircraft in Natal? Axis spies, perhaps? Dan - I downloaded the same repaint and panel package, but haven't got the FDE yet. Would love to hear how she flies with it! Thanks also for the tips on the Sounds... think I'll try to find a freeware Sound Pack from a Superfort and try that. I wish you a great flight! Alan
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Post by Dan on Jan 19, 2012 4:13:09 GMT -5
Your welcome, Alan! Regarding the FDE by FSAviator, I've used his Flight Dynamics for many other CalClassic planes - Connie, DC-6, 7, etc. and have always been impressed with how well the planes fly in relation to how one would 'think' the type of plane would fly. I say 'think' because I'm not a pilot nor have realistic knowledge of how they should fly, but in reading his explanations (provided with each file) over the years of each type and their individual characteristics, as well as the opinions of others that are in the know, I've come to trust his dynamics as the most realistic that one could expect within a simulator environment. If you download the FDE and read the 'Briefing' file, you'll understand . . . with such topics as "Flight Dynamics and Realism Issues", "Navigation", "MSFS and Flying Boats", and most importantly, the "Boeing B314A 'Clipper' Operating Guide". I've read most of it, but not all yet and have flown a couple of times around San Francisco in the B314 using his FDE and find that it flies just as a big boat of that era would seem to fly - slow and heavy!! I can't remember how it flew with the original FD, but as noted, I trust FSAviator over all. I wish you a great flight, as well!! Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Jan 19, 2012 4:53:33 GMT -5
Well, I've got it all loaded up, Bruce!! ;D Your install worked just fine! It's currently floating in San Francisco with a different panel by Ken Mitchell and Flight Dynamics by FSAviator..... Dan, Good to know that it is working for you. Now, depending upon what you have in your Scenery files insofar as flying -boat bases goes, you might find that the Flight Plans for Honolulu-Fiji, Fiji-Noumea, Noumea-Auckland (and return) might throw up a "Flightplan not found, blah, blah, blah...." message. If so, it is because you don't have the Fiji and/or Auckland F/Boat bases. I overlooked this fact when plotting the legs because I have all the Pacific and Imperial Airways bases from years ago. If that message appears, just go into Flight Planner and load the appropriate plan (prefixed PAA....) and all will be okay. Thanks for the tips on the enhancements.....fortunately I have been using these for some years, even the Pilot version of the B-314 (which, although quite impressive, doesn't sway me to use it over the upgraded Mike Stone version). Have fun! Bruce
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Post by bhk on Jan 19, 2012 5:08:19 GMT -5
Bruce, Thanks so much for uploading the Flight Info! My pleasure, Alan. I hope you enjoy it....but no cheating by using the GPS! BTW... did you like the book? I especially enjoyed the ending with the conversation between Capt. Ford and the LaGuardia flight controllers when he arrived in New York! Who do you think the "bug sprayers" were that boarded the aircraft in Natal? Axis spies, perhaps?... I thoroughly enjoyed the story, yes. That controller at La Guardia was certainly taken by surprise! Here's a post about that very thing made by a retired PAA mechanic on one of the blogs I found that are devoted to the Clippers......... ========================================= Don Bansen Reply: October 13th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Hi Ernie - The clipper that Capt. Ford flew around the world was not the Yankee Clipper because it only operated across the Atlantic. I was a mechanic at the Marine Terminal at La Guardia Field when Capt. Ford landed in Bowery Bay and I couldn’t believe the way the plane looked – dirty, no flags (they had been obliterated for safety) oil streaks, etc. We weren’t expecting it because they had kept radio silence. I later learned about its remarkable flight from a book “The Long Way Home” by Ed Dover.====================================== That's from an eyewitness who, in October 2011, was still alive. What a wonderful thing to remember. I think that the people who stole the documents were in the pay of the enemy then, yes....but more likely to be working for Germany, not Japan, at that time. Apparently South America was riddled with German fifth-columnists and sympathisers. Cheers! Bruce
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Post by viperpilot on Jan 19, 2012 7:55:51 GMT -5
Dan - Thanks for the reply! I'm looking forward to tweaking the Clipper with the enhancements and taking her for a spin around the block! Bruce - Thanks a lot for the quote! That's an amazing tidbit of info from someone who was there! I thought the same thing; although there was a small Japanese population in Peru at the time I figured it had to be German spies that were interested in the Clipper, especially if they found out her route. No using the GPS, I promise! BTW... are those PAA bases you referred to for FS 2004, and are they available for download? I found the Honolulu base on FlightSim, but would like to get the others to enhance the flights some more. Thanks again! Alan
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Post by bhk on Jan 19, 2012 14:27:43 GMT -5
Alan, The two bases I referred to for Fiji and Auckland are part of a Pacific group that I did for a TEAL flight back in 2007 (I think it was 2007....may have been earlier). Anyway, the package is available from www.flightsim.com - just search in the Files for the following:- FS2004 (ACOF) - FS2004 Scenery FS2004 Scenery--Flying Boat Bases Name: fbbases.zip Size: 139,200 Date: 01-10-2006 Downloads: 1,647 FS2004 Scenery--Flying Boat Bases, Australia and South Pacific. A small collection of scenery files for those locations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean at which scheduled stops and/or refuelling bases were located for QANTAS, TEAL and some other flying boat operations. These files were created using AFCAD2 and Rwy12 and comprise the "airport" plus NDB data and also scenery images and were specifically produced for the TEAL and "Frigate Bird II" Flights authored for FS2004 December 2005 and January 2006. By Bruce Kennewell. All the best, Bruce
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Post by Dan on Jan 20, 2012 2:58:37 GMT -5
Dan, Good to know that it is working for you. Now, depending upon what you have in your Scenery files insofar as flying -boat bases goes, you might find that the Flight Plans for Honolulu-Fiji, Fiji-Noumea, Noumea-Auckland (and return) might throw up a "Flightplan not found, blah, blah, blah...." message. If so, it is because you don't have the Fiji and/or Auckland F/Boat bases. I overlooked this fact when plotting the legs because I have all the Pacific and Imperial Airways bases from years ago. If that message appears, just go into Flight Planner and load the appropriate plan (prefixed PAA....) and all will be okay. Bruce Thanks, Bruce! I don't have those boat bases installed, so will add before I get to their locations. Looking forward to some fun with this, as well as to the historical aspects of the flight. I'm still in San Francisco, seems all the Ice Cream I ordered isn't ready yet and can't be loaded until we're ready for take-off, as the storage ice they used in those days is not as cold as the ice today - unbelievable! So, as I tap my fingers on the bar - I think I'll just have another . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Jan 20, 2012 5:29:33 GMT -5
.....the storage ice they used in those days is not as cold as the ice today - unbelievable! So, as I tap my fingers on the bar - I think I'll just have another . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D LOL!! You really do have an amazing imagination! ;D Is the redhead joining you? Bruce
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Post by Dan on Jan 21, 2012 3:52:39 GMT -5
Thanks, Bruce! It has served me well over the years, and seems to become more imaginative/creative the longer I live tying in the many years of living . . . The Redhead is not coming along - she was all for it at first, but then found out from her mother that the Boeing 314 is an old leaky boat with wings (kinda like her without the wings). Seems she flew on one before the war and didn't like the interior layout & color scheme. While the Redhead does like the shallows of a beachy cove, she is actually afraid of water over 1 foot - there was no talking her into it, even though I told her she could have her own cabin with two windows and a vanity table. So, I will be going it alone, but just as well, as the flight to these far away places I have never been and will now have the time to think and absorb the historical points, as well as the journey itself. Seems they messed up some of the ice cream flavors - who ever heard of strawberry with pecans . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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