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Post by Dan on Nov 25, 2007 20:23:03 GMT -5
I can't believe how time flies! Just noticed the last time I posted updates to this flight was October 2nd - almost two months since I landed at Alexandria. But, the 150 is still flying and quite well I might add - even though I must get that port side wing fixed after those fancy G-forced aerobatics - the vibrations are getting much worse. A drop or two of that new Gorilla glue should do it . . . Made it to Aswan after miles and miles of desert - took off the next morning early - before they turned on the heaters. Saudi Arabia! I couldn't believe this airport - out in the middle of nowhere and nobody's home. Three long runways, taxiways everywhere, a multitude of big hangers, terminals, and warehouses and all adjacent to a town of about 50,000! I was the only one on the tarmac. I asked them where all their AI was - they shrugged, shook their heads - didn't seem to know what I was talking about . . . Landed in Djibouti early evening - nice airport, good food, good wine, and good people. Sunrise takeoff. Africa . . . finally Looking for Rhino's - there are none! There all in the St. Louis Zoo Ethiopia - Impressive country Kenya Now, this looks familiar . . . It is familiar - this is Kisumu, were we landed that big ol' Short Sunderland during the infamous Harry Levy flight. Oh, what a time that was - what a grand flight! The lake looks the same, the city seems livelier now, wasn't much of anything back then. As I was going through the terminal, I saw a display advertising a local museum and amongst the sample items in the glass enclosure was a frayed and somewhat tattered 'lawn chair' - could it be - could it really be, what I think it could be? The only notation was a small plaque that read: "1945 - RAF Crew Chair"
"RAF planted their Royal Asses here while enjoying their Gin and Lake Victoria's Flamingo Airshow during WWII" I must visit this museum, before I leave . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Nov 26, 2007 4:09:54 GMT -5
I can't believe how time flies! ....... Hey, Dan! Nice to see that you're still trolling down through Africa! The only notation was a small plaque that read: "1945 - RAF Crew Chair"
"RAF planted their Royal Asses here while enjoying their Gin and Lake Victoria's Flamingo Airshow during WWII" LOL!! ;D ;D It's easy to read that you're an ex-Colonial and not a proper Pommy; you should've used the English/Australian version....."arses". ;D Bruce
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Post by Dan on Nov 27, 2007 5:22:10 GMT -5
LOL!! ;D ;D It's easy to read that you're an ex-Colonial and not a proper Pommy; you should've used the English/Australian version....."arses". ;D Bruce LOL!! ;D Well Bruce, based on what you said, I was about to go back and cross out the word asses and replace it with "arses", but thought I'd better look up the word "Pommy" first and so I did - and now I'm more confused, as there seems to be a number of definitions/meanings of the word - as noted below . . . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_words_for_British#PommyThat being said, and not knowing which definition is appropriate in the context written, I think, with all due respect, I'll remain an "ex-Colonial" of sorts and leave the 'arses' to the Pommys. Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by Dan on Dec 13, 2007 6:44:09 GMT -5
Had a nice time here – again! Maybe not as wild as before, but a nice time nevertheless. I was able to visit the museum where the chair at the airport was from – they had another one on display along with an old corked bottle of Gin – ¾ empty. Apparently it floated on shore some years later after the war – they carbon dated the cork – said it was vintage 1945 cork. While visiting the museum in deep reminiscent thought of those times, I felt a light touch on my shoulder and turned around to see a well dressed elderly lady with a soft knowing smile on her face. Wondering who this might be, she re-introduced herself as a girl I meet while procuring the Gin for the Flamingo Airshow. Apparently, someone had mentioned that I was inquiring about the chair. Remembering how we had such a great time on the wing that afternoon and evening, we decided to have dinner and ended up talking about the years of each since – interesting how different, yet how much the same. We toasted Gin as before, but not as much, looked out over the lake as before, but not as passionate, watched a couple of Flamingos as before, but not as many, and then said our goodbyes, but knowing it was farewell . . . Got up early – took off after sunrise – since Gin needs the light of day to see. One last look, one last time . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by kbr on Dec 13, 2007 14:59:36 GMT -5
Nice pictures, Dan. Looks like you're having a good flight through there.
By the way, would you happen to still have the link to the web page of the guys who did that model? I got their FS9 version and had been meaning to check to see if the FSX version was out yet, but discovered I couldn't find the link. Was sure I bookmarked it, but guess I didn't.
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Post by Dan on Dec 13, 2007 16:38:35 GMT -5
Thanks, Kevin! It is a good flight through this section of the journey - anxious to get to Capetown though!! Here is the link. Seems their still talking about an FSX version, but apparently not ready yet. If I come across anyone on a forum that has converted it over, I'll let you know. www.fs-tutorials.com/en/down_plane_C150_01.phpDan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by kbr on Dec 13, 2007 18:21:19 GMT -5
Thanks, Dan. I made sure to bookmark the link this time. That sure is a nice little freeware plane, that rivals anything I've seen in the payware department.
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Post by bhk on Dec 14, 2007 6:11:20 GMT -5
Dan, That was a sadly romantic little report......quite brought a tear to my eye. I haven't been this choked up since watching Ryan O'Niel and Ali McGraw in "Love Story"! (Sob!) Bruce
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Post by Dan on Dec 14, 2007 23:15:31 GMT -5
Oh, the romantic I am . . . I know Bruce, brought a tear to my eye as well as I visualized it - but not quite the visualization of Ali McGraw. Haven't heard that name in years - what a movie that was, hell - who watched the movie - it was Ali that the movie 'was'. What a hot fiery pistol she was back then. Which brings to mind another great movie she stared in - "Goodbye, Columbus" - such a great classic! I need to get those movies on DVD - shoot maybe tomorrow . . . and then find a way to put a Player in the 150! Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Dec 15, 2007 0:29:21 GMT -5
Haven't heard that name in years - what a movie that was, hell - who watched the movie - it was Ali that the movie 'was'. What a hot fiery pistol she was back then. Which brings to mind another great movie she stared in - "Goodbye, Columbus" - such a great classic! I need to get those movies on DVD - shoot maybe tomorrow . . . and then find a way to put a Player in the 150! Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D My favourite was the classic 1972 movie (I have it here somewhere) "The Getaway", with Ali and then-hubby, Steve McQueen. she sure was a yummy lady. Then..... Now (on the left)..... Bruce
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Post by Dan on Dec 18, 2007 5:28:58 GMT -5
She was stunning . . .
Your second photo isn't displaying, Bruce - but, I'm not so sure I want to see the 'now' anyway!
I'd forgotten about the 'Getaway' - great great movie!! ;D
Dan
…it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by Dan on Jan 9, 2008 6:22:23 GMT -5
I really like this forum page . . . she was stunning! Well, anyway . . . in continuation of this epic - there is Burundi off in the distance. As well as a building storm . . . Which is building faster then I thought Rock and roll time Dive, dive, dive - oops, not a submarine is it where oh where . . . did the runway go phew . . . there it is And so is this crosswind, hell . . . Hold it, hold it hold it now - nice and easy . . . Piece of cake . . . well, it was wasn't it Off to get a dry shirt and a couple of cold ones and then it's on to Zambia and we'll win there oops wrong forum . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by Dan on Aug 22, 2008 8:57:15 GMT -5
Well, the last post card was dated January 9th . . . and I was off to get a dry shirt and a couple of cold ones. As it's been a long long time since, I can't remember whether the shirt was dry or the cold ones were cold. But, I do remember flying out late that afternoon heading to Zambia or was it Zimbabwe, not sure except it got dark while I was watching the sun set. In any case, I had to land somewhere where their were lights and in Africa, that's saying a lot. That was the last I had heard from myself . . .That being said and with a firm commitment to finish this epic adventure, I set out to find the 150. After hiring a plane and pilot, we flew around for a couple of days with no sign of it anywhere. It wasn't until late the 3rd day, that I remembered that I had been enjoying a few cold ones along the way and not wanting to litter the cabin with empties, I had disposed of them out the window (actually I didn't want to get pulled over with any evidence of consumption). So, remembering that, we retraced my route that evening by looking for those shiny aluminum cans. Not exactly Hansel and Gretel, but . . . . . . look what we found ;D ;D ;D Since it was getting dark, we came back in the morning . . . and as the sun rose and we walked closer . . . *&(%$)@#%!!*^#&@*% Not a pretty sight Eight months of ravaging weather . . . . . . lions, tigers, and hippos . . . snakes, rhinos, and dinosaurs . . . what a mess! Now for the good news - the 150 is back in a hanger at the local airport getting refurbished. It should be ready to go in a couple of days - may even get it polished and maybe a new sun visor and some new tires - Michelin radials this time - for smoother taxing . . . Dan …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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Post by bhk on Aug 23, 2008 4:04:34 GMT -5
DINOSAURS?!!! ;D ;D Where did[/i] you land - Jurassic Park?!! ;D I'm amazed by the fact that you've resurrected this epic after so many months! Way to go, Mr Dan!! Bruce
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Post by Dan on Aug 24, 2008 5:13:35 GMT -5
LOL ;D Actually, even though hysterically funny - historically you are correct, Bruce! I had landed near Mporokoso, which is a town in the Northern Province of Zambia. Now, according to the locals, both the Syntarsus, Vulcanodon, and the infamous Kongamato dinosaurs lived around that area during the early ' Jurassic' Period, about 208-201 million years ago. And, that being said, local legend has it that the Kongamato still lives in Zambia’s Jiundu Swamp to this day. I believe this to be true, as we found huge bird like foot prints all around the Cessna. Apparently, they were curious as to what this new winged creature was. I also believe they finished off the rest of the cold brew I had stored in the back, as the empty cans had been 'pecked' open and the retreating foot prints were somewhat staggered . . . www.genesispark.org/genpark/konga/konga.htmSo, call me 'Jurassic' - the ol' epic flier lost to the ages of the dinosaurs. Dan P.S. I didn't know any of this, Bruce, until I looked it up out of curiosity - amazing! …it’s great being a kid again – without the glue! ;D
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