MM: Over SEA Crusader

[MM]

Flying the now freeware AlphaSim Vought F-8J Crusader. Here I use the FSX-native model (v2.0) created by Henk Schuitemaker. The weather is Active Sky Next with the "extra thunderstorms" feature dropped (by checking "Prevent thunderstorms when CB detected"). [Doing this limits ASN thunderstorms to conditions when the METAR reports thunderstorms.]

Departing from Saigon Tan Son Nhat for Nha Trang (VVTS-VVNT).

 

[MM]

Down safely. Glad there is no film of the landing.

Over Lake Tri An, largest lake in South Vietnam.

 

[MM]

Next Phu Cat (VVPC).

 

[MM]

And on the ground safely.

Leaving the beaches at Na Trang.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=0Mq34C9llWwAQ6XY0KYBM5Pm8

 

[MM]

And then Da Nang (VVDN). Must be a bar there somewhere.

 

[MM]

Safely down. Off for the club.

Must be some Marines somewhere at Danang.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=GcByA2YPUajU3uQ7rhiatlg8iU

 

[PRB]

Nice ride, Gunfighter...

 

[MM]

...on the way to the destination of all Gunfighters...Boot Hill.

Rather, Da Nang to Haiphong Cat Bi. (VVDN-VVCI)

 

[MM]

Safe into Haiphong.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=IZjFPnlxBxwEkWuQM8JMBpU2M4

 

[MM]

Haiphong to Hanoi (VVCI-VVNB)

"Just remember the Red River Valley..."

 

[MM]

Through the haze and found the airfield safely enough. And found a parking place along with these quick little sporty aircraft.
(Dark Humor Warning.) Might spend the evening here...would anyone recommend the Hanoi Hilton?

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=4aWUPPI73KwzXIuH2QlJt7K9uXA

 

[MM]

Hmm. Bad vibes at the downtown Hilton. The help there seemed less than accommodating.

Off to Dien Bien Phu. Perhaps an isolated country resort?

VVNB-VVDB

 

[MM]

And safely into Dien Bien Phu VVDB.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=j1cqNRP1SSAB2Q9f067xZ63Z0

 

[MM]

Heading for Udorn (VVDB-VTUD). Hear that the Air America has its Asian Headquarters there. Maybe I can sign up for quiet safe airline job when I leave the service.

 

[MM]

Down at Udorn safely enough.

However, I exceeded the Mach limit on climb out. (Dumb pilot error!)

The Max Mach reported is M1.27.
The Duenna Error was thrown for Mach: 1.07.

The penalty is either: (1.27/1.05)*5 = 6.05 minutes,
or (1.07/1.05)*5=5.09 minutes.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=jV0SoTc4myfggrUYgBvZFWFNBnU

 

[MM]

Headed to Nakhon Phanom (VTUW) from whence operated quite an array of aircraft including T-28s and A-26s for work over Laos. Especially noteworthy for jet pilots were the "Jolly Greens" whose life-saving missions proved invaluable. (The young irreverent pilots of the day referred to the field as "Naked Fanny".)

 

[MM]

Down safely at VTUW. Add to the list of home-based aircraft a couple of C-130 Spectres. Spookey.

A nervous moment. Low clouds obscure short finals into Nakhon Phanom.

http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=24bOeS9L52efpnsQ6KdHZc9A8

 

[MM]

Next is Ubon (VTUU), home of Robin Olds' 8th TFW (the "Wolf Pack").

 

[MM]

Down safely at Ubon (VTUU). But rather disappointed.

Flew through some nasty turbulence low down and my speed exploded to M1.30 before I could catch it. Not good.
(But a lesson to be learned here.)
Mach penalty of 6.19 minutes.

Here is a Kodak of the moment when the low-level turbulence sent the Mach soaring.


http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFlight.php?detail=flight&value=E8cPEcu8L1SuZQn487U67RXg9M

 

[MM]

Next is Korat. (VTUU-VTUN)