Craig's Scootin' around the SEA

[Craig Taylor]

If I interpreted "12:00 GMT, Friday, July 1" correctly (presuming Paul meant "noon" and not "midnight"), then the race is ON!

I'm flying the Virtavia Douglas A-4F "clean" (no tanks) in the markings of VMA-223 "Bulldogs." Quoting from the squadron's official history, "In December 1965, the Bulldogs deployed to Chu Lai, South Vietnam with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) for combat operations. The squadron flew more than 32,000 flight hours. In May 1967, the squadron flew a record 1,234 combat sorties - by far the greatest monthly total for any attack squadron operating in Vietnam." The squadron remained in theater until February, 1970, when it rotated to Okinawa to join the 3rd Marine Air Wing. VMA-223 is currently based out of Cherry Point, NC flying the AV-8B.

I'm flying in FSXA using ASN for weather...and it's pouring rain at U-Taphao (VTBU). First destination is VVTS Tansonnhat.


EDIT: Standing by for race event to be created for the Duenna.

 

[spokes2112]

Craig, sent you PM & setup the event on duenna. You're good to go. (see PM first)

 

[Craig Taylor]

The strategic pause while the Duenna was sorted out gave me a chance to re-read the routing rules, and I came to the realization that my plan had me "going the extra mile"...about 540 of them. I have adjusted accordingly and will be heading from U-Taphao to Takhli instead (VTBU to VTPI).

UPDATE: Arrived safely at VTPI. Still raining...

 

[Craig Taylor]

Next leg: Takhli to Khorat (VTPI to VTUN). Looks to be a short leg.

 

[Craig Taylor]

Safely down at Khorat (VTUN).

 

[Craig Taylor]

On to Udon Thani (VTUD).

 

[Craig Taylor]

Safely arrived at VTUD.


EDIT: FSXA says I landed at VTUD, but the Duenna says I landed at VTED?

 

[PRB]

That's weird. I've made a note in your race log and recordced the flight as landing at VTUD. Carry on...

 

[spokes2112]

Craig, No worries.

VTED = Udorn Air Base (Old)
VTUD = Udon Thani Airport (New)
Same place, Duenna's database uses the old ICAO.

Nice flying!

 

[Craig Taylor]

Thanks guys. I looked it up on that website quoted by the duenna file (ourairports.com). Sure enough, it's a combined civil/military airfield. Weird that it has different ICAO codes though.

 

[Craig Taylor]

Time to climb back in the saddle. Heading from Udon Thani to Dien Bien (VTUD to VVDB).

 

[Craig Taylor]

Rainy but safe arrival at VVDB.

 

[Craig Taylor]

The trip to Dien Bien Phu happened to be one of my longer routes, and gave me some time to relax (hah!) and take a few kodaks.

Fast departure from Udon Thani.


The clouds over the karst made me a little nervous...


But the air-to-ground radar in Terrain Clearance mode helped ease my mind.


Trusty navigation instruments put me right on approach.


These wet landings seem to be all too common on this tour...

 

[Craig Taylor]

Next stop Hanoi - VVNB.

EDIT: Arrived safely at VVNB.

 

[PRB]

I see it was still raining there when you arrived...

 

[PhantomTweak]

I am really glad I wasn't the only one that had that Duenna error at Udon. I had the exact same thing happen on my landing at Udon, it marked me as being at VTED, not VTUD. Very odd.
At least it wasn't just me!
Pat☺

 

[Craig Taylor]

And just enough time for a short hop to Catbi (VVCI).

 

[Craig Taylor]

Safely down at Catbi (VVCI)...where it's raining (again). At least it was dry in Hanoi.

@ Pat - airport code mismatches occur with some regularity given the age of the data in FSX.

 

[Craig Taylor]

I've got time to make a run to Nakon Phanom (VTUW).

 

[Craig Taylor]

And...arrived safely at Nakon Phanom (VTUW)...in the rain...


Really tried to push it this time. It's the only way I can hope to hang with the reheater crowd.


Sure wish someone would come by with a covered vehicle? Or lend a guy an umbrella?