Clutch Cargo Andean Airways

Hi Al,

Just ran into Nellie Richards and mentioned the L-749. She tilted her head and gave that stern over-the-top-of-the-glasses look. "R-3350" she pronounced, raising her eyebrows. Then, with a shake of her head, she muttered "You pilots..." and turned away.

I'm guessing that means no on the big Lockheed.

Expect that you can lay your hands on something that Miss Richards will accept. And look forward to seeing you in the air over the Andes!

--Mike
 
Let's see.

A number of twin engined aircraft: Beech 18 Merc Air, DC-2 Panagra, DC-3 Aerovanguardia, C-46 Buffalo, and a C-82 Cruzeiro do Sul.

On the four engine side: SE.161 from Aviaco and a DC-4 from Cubana.

A Trimotor might be challenged in the Andes, but apparently they have pleased our customers in the past. (See photograph below.) A tad on the slow side, though. ;)

--M
 
MM said:
Hi Al,

Just ran into Nellie Richards and mentioned the L-749. She tilted her head and gave that stern over-the-top-of-the-glasses look. "R-3350" she pronounced, raising her eyebrows. Then, with a shake of her head, she muttered "You pilots..." and turned away.

I'm guessing that means no on the big Lockheed.

Expect that you can lay your hands on something that Miss Richards will accept. And look forward to seeing you in the air over the Andes!

--Mike
Click to expand...

Mike;
I've read the rules and I understand about NOT using "new" (aka Expensive) planes, but by 1954 (a year after the "official" cease-fire of the Korean mess), there were loads of "war-weary Dollar Nineteens" available for almost scrap prices (these troup & cargo haulers WERE shot-up AND shot-down.. My Dad flew C-119's with the 62nd Troop Transport Squadron (Medium) (483rd TC Wing, 314th TC Group) of the FEAF Combat Cargo Command out of Ashiya, Japan into various "K-Bases" in Korea, earning a "DUC" (now called a "PUC") in the process. (I'd paint the Dollar-Nineteen, if I knew how, but the 62nd's planes were "in silver" with a "Buzz Number" on the nose and the tip of the twin rudders was painted something "dark" probably red, [only B&W photos] plus I don't even know what Dad's "Buzz Number" was..)
I had been looking at a newly "refreshed" DC-3 with brand-new P&W R-1830-92 Twin Wasp Engines, but someone stole them in the middle of the night.. So, I only have available to is an old circa 1950-1953 C-119 (but it has brand new engines!) and is ready to go (and go quickly, I might add.. like south over the Rio Grande del Norte in the next twenty-four hours, or less.. :-] ).
Bottom line, is Ms. Richards up for some "Special Dispensation" (failing that, posting bond?)??
 
Our original idea for this event was flying DC-3s through the mountains. The idea being to keep the aircraft the same to level the playing field. But we soon came to the conclusion that not everyone would want to fly a DC-3. So we starting working on a set of aircraft that whose strengths and weaknesses would play off each other. The list provided is what we came up with.

Keep in mind that this is based on a start up operation using used aircraft on a shoestring budget. The C-119 originally used P&W R-4360 "corncob" engines and later on was built with Curtiss Wright R-3350 engines. The P&W 28 cylinder engine was a maintenance nightmare that nearly beggared a few good sized airlines that tried to use it (Northwest & BOAC come to mind here). Even Pan Am had severe difficulties keeping these engines in service. It took the resources of the US Government to able to keep them flying in a regular fashion.

As for the Curtiss Wright R-3350, even in it's most reliable form, they were the reason that the Lockheed Constellation was called "the world's fastest Trimotor". Either engine is not a good choice for a low buck operation that wants to stay in business.

All of the above is why Mrs Nellie Richards threw a typewriter at us when the C-119 was first suggested. So, we crossed it off the list.

The C-82 Packet (the C-119 started out as an improved C-82) is on the approved aircraft list and would be a good choice.

Willy
 
More relics located ....

Hopefully "shaken, but not (too) stirred" .... wondering how Miss Nellie might feel about two relics I've located.


Currently enroute to Hato from Panama ... I've spotted a salvage barge being towed through the canal to a scrap facility at Cartagena .... appears to be a complete Vultee V-1 ... almost looks as if it would fly as is .... also ...


Colleagues waiting for the DC-3's arrival at Willemstad/Hato Int'l (routine maintenance) have informed me of an decommissioned KLM DC-5 parked behind one of the hangers there (TNCC) and currently set to be scrapped.


Wonder if either of these may be an option for the upcoming tasks in the Andes... Love the Gooney Bird, but this journey I'm on has added a whole new meaning to the phrase - "long in the tooth".


Flying something a little different would be a nice break .... that reminds me ... of another old friend, the Lockheed Vega.




If Miss Nellie's not too busy today, do ya think she might shed some light on the possible appropriation of any of these three??



:jump:
 
I guess it's time for me to throw my hat through the door of the FBO and declare my interest in this event.

While I have taken part in several RTW Races and numerous practices I am primarily a GPS navigation type pilot so having to rely solely on NDB and VOR navigation is going to be a big challenge and may well lead to my downfall! :isadizzy:

What I know about primitive navigation techniques could be written on the back of a matchbook (with room to spare) but I have spent some time this week getting used to it and hopefully I don't end up in Africa after turning left instead of right! :icon_eek:

I was originally thinking of doing the trip in the C-47 but as that uses the same FDE as the default DC3 I had second thoughts as I really dislike the autopilot behaviour in turbulent weather as it seems slow to respond and then over-corrects so the ride is very much like a roller-coaster. I actually spend more time hand flying it in bad weather to be honest.

I had a poke around in my back-up hangar and found this little beauty among a pile of old tires, engine parts and empty beer cans (I really must have a word with the ground crew about that!)

DC-4.jpg


It's even in a suitable paint scheme too!

As I usually fly singles and twins (and small ones at that) getting used to a four engined tube could be interesting too!

I have added some extra gauges to make navigating her a bit easier (thanks to the tips in the rules document) and I guess it's a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained and at least it will be an experience (whether good or bad is down to Fate and Mother Nature!)
 
[For Austin]

Knocked on the glass door and entered Nellie Richards' office.

"One of the boys was mentioning a Lockheed Vega, a DC-5 and a Vultee V-1A."

She responded quickly, "Goodness Gracious! That old Wiley Post plane. No visibility, no flaps, no brakes? Mountain flying? And besides, it can't carry enough to be worthwhile. I suppose he could try one of those old crates, but it doesn't make sense to me."

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,630 pounds
Empty Weight: 2,565 pounds
Maximum Cargo Payload: 1,000 pounds
(MSFS FS2004 model)

​
Then she thought for a moment, "How many of those beautiful high-winged Douglas transports were built? How many are still in service?"

I replied, "Well, a dozen of the DC-5s were built, but the wartime demands stopped further production. Only one survived the War. It still exists but, due to a lack of parts, it is no longer operational. It's in the hands of the Israeli military. In addition, a few US Navy/Marine R3Ds were written-off after the war and apparently destroyed. No trace of those."

An annoyed look. "The Israelis, you say? You must be joking. Though if we could find those vanished military aircraft ..."

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 21,000
Empty Weight: 13,600
Maximum Cargo Payload: 3,500
(Wayne Tudor & JR Lucariny v2.0, FSAviator flight dynamics)
[As far as we can tell, there were no DC-5s operational in 1954. Probably should not be part of this event. But we want everyone to have fun...]

​
She brightened, "Then how about that Vultee?"

I was ready: "It turns out that 24 were built and American Airlines ran a dozen for a few years...replaced 'em in 1936 with DC 3s. A number went over to the Spanish Civil War. And I heard that at least one was used as an airliner in Panama and Nicaragua."

A sudden sigh of resignation. "Oh, maybe we'll see what that boy can do. Just a minute."

Nellie pulled out a dog-eared Flight (October 1935) from the bottom drawer of her desk. "Hmmm. This might be interesting. Only one engine, so there are safety concerns over the mountains. Happily, it's a Wright Cyclone R-1820. It should be inexpensive to run! The specifications are:

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 8,490 pounds
Empty Weight: 5,320 pounds
Maximum Cargo Payload: 1,500 pounds [1,350 rounded up]
(Jens Kristensen version 1.1)

​
"Let me know what that young man has to say. He has a good eye for value."

"Cheap," I muttered under my breath—and left quietly.
 
Willy said:
Larry, here's a good site to peruse on the various methods of navigation and it's slanted toward FS.

http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks for that link Willy. I have had it bookmarked for a couple of years now but tend to forget about it until I need it. I have been looking at it quite a bit over the last week though.

For those that don't know about it the site above is a gold mine of great FS navigation tips.
 
Let's see ...

[back at Mike]

First off ... Thanks!



Decided to do some research into usage practicality and cost of putting these relics into service for CC AA.

With your info and the hourly rates (whew!!) posted up on the wall of this hanger at Hato Int'l as well as 3 trips to the pencil sharpener, I've come back to square one ... well almost.



The Vega ... which I have no trouble handling in spite of it's short comings, just doesn't carry enough cargo ... so even with it's high sentimental value, in the real world it probably is not going to be the best aircraft for task.



As it turns out ... the DC-5 that I had been told about is actually (as we speak) in commission with KLM on a route out of here to Paramaribo, Suriname (Dutch Guiana) and not for sale :redf: ... however, the rules did mention "borrow or otherwise commandeer" and there's been some unrest with the locals in the Paramaribo District over a labor dispute.

Here in the southern part of the USA there's a "work" style known as Goldbrickin' ... where you look busy but you ain't really doin' any of the hard work ... just kinda leavin' it for "Somebody" to get.

Apparently the local officials have decided to take matters to hand .... while that's being settled the airline thought it would be best to park the plane for a while ... until things were sorted out.


This could prove to be a big bargaining tool in the AM when I go to discuss the revenue they are missing and how part of that loss could be recovered with a reasonable lease .... we'll see.



Had a group of Pan Am officials look at the Vultee that made port late today in Cartagena and it's a bit too far gone to justify the cost of making it airworthy ... along with the relatively small payload capacity we might just let that bird go to the oven.




Please give Miss Nellie my best and tell her that I appreciate the considerations given.

I'll post tomorrow with the final entry .... if the management at KLM can come up with a good price for a short term lease, then we'll be flying "Wakago" as she's called ... if not, well ... it's back in the saddle.




Wonder who's going to deliver this freshly redone DC-3 down to Argentina?? .... Hmmm :wiggle:





View attachment 40479
 
Paid??

Talks with KLM have netted zero ... but there's a silver lining to the cloud.

Juan Trippe, generous soul the he is, and my main sponsor for the remainder of my around the world venture, has heard about my failure to locate suitable aircraft for the "Andes Run" while I wait for repairs to be made on the donated Pan Am DC-3, and has offered me the job ... Paid?? ... of delivering a freshly refurbed DC-3 to his friends in Argentina.


Aeroposta Argentina ... the South American division of the French Airline Aeropostale which was dissolved back in the 30's after some "hanky-panky" with the Government there ... used a DC-3 to service the Patagonian routes up until a few years ago.

That plane has been restored and needs to be delivered to interests Argentina ... some sort of a collector there.



Well, well ... not only will I be able to get paid to deliver the plane there, but I'll be using it to pick up and deliver freight for Clutch Cargo Andean Airways while enroute.



Wonder how Miss Nellie feels about this turn of events ... talk about saving the airline money!



Getting the original (default) panel in this DC-3 as near to ready as possible in the next two days to make all 27 stops ... if needed.



Sooo ....

This is the screen shot of salt_air's entry into the "Clutch Cargo Andean Airways" event.

[Final answer]


Thanks!!

View attachment 40486
 
Willy reminds us that the first official flight starts in Maracaibo and delivers a cargo to one of the designated airports. The gates open on Friday, June 24, at 2400 UTC. Pilots may start then or at any time thereafter.

(You may wish to fly from Curacao to Maracaibo to test your equipment -- but such a flight would be entirely optional and unofficial.)
 
Signing-On As a Cargo Hauler

MM said:
Willy reminds us that the first official flight starts in Maracaibo and delivers a cargo to one of the designated airports. The gates open on Friday, June 24, at 2400 UTC. Pilots may start then or at any time thereafter.

(You may wish to fly from Curacao to Maracaibo to test your equipment -- but such a flight would be entirely optional and unofficial.)
Click to expand...

I have managed to find a buyer for my C-119 and I have my eyes on a C-82 Packet or a very nice At-11 Bomber Trainer version (full plexi nose, no machine guns and bomb racks have been removed, etc.).
I have a couple of "minor" issues.. Those "new" P&W R-1830-92's I "found" were discovered installed back on the C-47/DC-3.. I was discovered "in the vicinity" with greasy hands.. So the Judge and I had a talk about "Criminal Trespass". Things were not looking good until two men in black Brooks Brothers Suits wearing skinny ties intervened on my behalf.. A "deal" was negotiated between these men and the judge. All charges were mostly dropped, however I was "invited" to free room and board at the "Crossbar Hotel" beginning at 0600 (Local--2300hrs Zulu) Friday June 24th. I'm suppose to be released Monday Morning, June 27th about 0900 (local-- 1500hrs Zulu). The two men in the black suits said they would "look into" obtaining one of the two planes on my behalf and, of course, THEY have some "cargo" (of unknown size or description) that will be on my plane from the start.. I am to release it to a couple of other men in black suits at one of the airports on the Clutch Cargo List, but I will not know which airport until I'm on final approach..
Until then...
 
Aerocondor Colombia se complace en anunciar que se están uniendo a Clutch Cargo. Estamos enviando un C-46 en Barranquilla inmediatamente por Maracaibo.

Fotos de seguir.

Con Mucho Gusto,
El capitán Julio Martin

"Si usted está volando un Comando C-46 en el aire enrarecido de La Paz, Bolivia, es necesario confiar en Dios y Pratt & Whitney"

Aerocondor Colombia is pleased to announce that they are joining Clutch CargoAerocondor Colombia is dispatching a C-46 from Barranquilla immediately for Maracaibo.


View attachment 40545
 
Clutch Cargo receive something Special

Hi all , Inglaterre are sending a piece of history to Clutch cargo for this event . After a lengthy enrollment process and numerous test flights with Avianca Cargo to get "type rating" and learn about High Altitude mountain flying , something we don`t have in the UK , I was initially promised a rather well used C-54B . On flying out to Colombia to collect my new bird I was told that a number of other parties were also interested in the aircraft and they had sold it on !! So I returned to the UK without knowing what to do next :) To cut a long story short , a colleague from my work at BOAC "who wishes to remain anonymous" said that he could get his hands on a C-54B but I had to promise that I would return it in the same condition as received and that he would see to it that any flying hours made during "its loan period" would be removed from the Technical logs . In desperation and also a little intoxicated during our meeting I agreed to his offer . Days passed and I was invited , in a covert manner , to arrive at 4:00 am local time to Northolt airbase near NW london to take my "special plane" . There as promised was a shiny metallic C-54B in airforce livery !!! " Take her to Blackbushe EGLK " my colleague told me "and ask for a guy named John Smith he will be expecting you and knows what to do "

My C-54B has the registration EW999 . A big lump appeared in my throat . This was the airplane Roosevelt "gave to" the Big Man Winston Churchill !!!!!!

A little history of this plane

On receipt of the plane Churchill requested:

“Make It Look British” It arrived in Britain in the summer of 1944 as an empty shell. Its transformation into what was later described as a “flying palace worth more than a king’s ransom” was the work of 24 Squadron, the Ministry of Aircraft Production, the General Electric Company, the L. A. Rumbold aircraft furnishing firm and Sir W. G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Company.
An American columnist, whose eyes popped when he first saw the interior of the Churchill Skymaster, declared the interior was “decorated like the drawing-room of an English castle with walls finished in dark-brown panelling.” The tribute indicates that the designers had been able to achieve the Churchillian directive to “make it look British.”
Churchill had one other specific request, and that was for a second berth in his stateroom in case his wife should accompany him on any of his flights. The berth was fitted over the Prime Minister’s desk and built to conform with the bedroom’s colour scheme of pale beige and grey Wilton carpet, leather upholstery, and leather wall covering. The woodwork was sycamore. The curtains and bedspreads were in turquoise. Beds were furnished with sheets costing twenty-four guineas a pair. The room had a private oxygen tank and the sound-proofing was so effective that the Prime Minister complained that the ticking of the bedside clock kept him awake. The clock, an exceptionally quiet model, had to be sent back to the factory and further insulated so as not to disturb Churchill’s slumbers. The stateroom was big enough to accommodate two swivelling and sliding chairs, bookshelves and a built-in wardrobe with a full-length mirror.
G.E.C.’s masterpiece was found in Churchill’s washroom. This compartment was fitted with a half-gallon water heater for washing and a lavatory which was the first in the world to have an electrically heated seat installed. This was added immediately following the Yalta conference. After returning from this meeting, which took place in the Crimea during the mid-winter of 1945, Flight Lieutenant “Jack” Payne, the Skymaster’s engineer officer, called the General Electric Company and asked cryptically whether they could provide a “hotseat for the Old Man.” G.E.C. could. The firm’s designers inserted a sheathed wire element, using fifty watts at twenty-four volts, into the lavatory lid. When the lid was down, a plunger switch was turned on and the seat kept warm. When the lid was opened, the current was switched off automatically.

There`s alot more information about this flying stateroom but this a a little taster of what I have been trusted with :O

The Interior has been delicately removed and stored in a secret lockup at Blackbushe by John and his team and I have a 10 week "window" to return her back to Northolt unblemished ;)

She is now ready to perform her duties in South America and is as mechanically perfect as as can be :)


ps I opted to keep the heated toilet seats for the Andean Challenge !! May come in Handy :)
 
i'm sorry to report that my departure will be delayed.
am currently enjoying the residuals
of a system attack earlier in the week.
fortunately, i have a backup communications machine,
but must devote my time to defeating
this unwelcome senseless interruption.
it started with a pop up telling me i was infected
and so graciously offered to sell me anti-virus software.

duh, okay, here's $12.95...duh, thanks.
duh, is a credit card okay?
oh, by the way, could you come to the house
and pick up the payment in person?
i have a little somethin' extra i'd like to give yaz.

just once, i'd like to get my hands
on one of these pricks.
i guarantee, they would never pull this crap again.
 
Welcome to Buzz and Bry.

"Si usted está volando un Comando C-46 en el aire enrarecido de La Paz, Bolivia, es necesario confiar en Dios y Pratt & Whitney" Magnifico!

Bry, it's a good thing that Churchill did not want a putting green as well.
 
Signing up for Clutch Cargo Andean Airways

I would like to participate In the Clutch Cargo Andean Airways as a cargo hauler. I will be flying a civilized C47 freighter. This particular aircraft looks like the MAAM "Island In The Ski" C47. It was but I repainted it. I wanted an aircraft that looked seasoned. I call her Andy's Freighter, in honor of the flight.

Looks like fun
Larry Bevis
DCA 1484
 
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