Rodeo

MM

Charter Member
The Department of Commerce and the Civil Aeronautics Administration are sponsoring a trial event to demonstrate the importance of aviation for economic development in the Western United States. The newly-elected Dewey Administration is keen to show how the ingenuity of American business can bring prosperity to what Henry Luce has termed the "American Century." If all goes well, this test will provide the basis for a larger-scale competition.

This event will encourage aviation companies, from the United States and abroad, to show how they can manage commercial operations that will connect the cities of the West and surmount the obstacles of distance and terrain. The emphasis is on free competition, part of the new administration's commitment to open skies in the international arena. Thus, the contest, and the potentially lucrative air routes, are open to overseas carriers as well as small regional American companies. This decision has disappointed both the America-first conservatives of the party's Taft wing as well as the established domestic carriers who have long been protected by government subsidies and regulations. To even the playing field, each company will enter one DC-4 and fly a fixed route that connects Western cities located in the dry desolate deserts of the Southwest, the dangerous high altitudes and craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the heavy weather covering the Pacific Northwest. Safety and economy will be the standards of success as the world is watching to assess the potential of commercial aviation in the Post-War age.

Rumors are circulating about possible entrants. The Big Four are always likely participants, with United, American, and TWA already having extensive route experience in the region and Eastern always looking for more business. It seems that Western is very likely to defend its own turf. And expansion is on the minds of other regional airlines, including the crop-dusting southerners at Delta, the Floridians running National, Minnesotans at Northwest, Californians at Pacific Southwest, the bush pilots of Alaska Airlines, and the largest of the bunch, Washington's Capital Airlines. As ever, Pan American's Juan Trippe is eager to acquire a domestic routing system. The non-scheduled carriers are obvious candidates, including California Eastern, Overseas National, Riddle, Seaboard & Western, and Transocean. With their Dewey allies in office (and deregulation in the air) even Matson Navigation is interested in reinitiating luxurious airline service connecting Hawaii to the West Coast and the mainland network. And there are hints that national carriers such as Aerovias Brasil, Air France, Canadian Pacific, and KLM might take part as well.

(This is a more-or-less nightly "Flight 19" joint flying event on the SOH Multiplayer Server. Casual conversation is the norm. All are welcome.)
 
Here's one entrant. Alaska Airlines wants to expand service to the lower 48.
 
From it's West Coast HQ at Oakland, Matson accepts the challenge and will be at LAX on the appointed day. And yes the inflight chef is part of the crew. (now where did we put that dining table?)
 
Pan Am, pfftt. They always have to stick their nose in it. American Airlines will be there!

Enroute to LAX from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
 
Great Lakes Airlines

Is going to try and be there. We might schedule it in but the Mechanic needs to do a few..

er modifications

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Bangity BANgity Bang Bang

"is that it?"

"Nope still too big"
OH Boy say your prayers and stay out from in front of us.
 
From: Matson Lines
To: Pan Am Clipper Dreadnought

Subject: Smack talk

1. At least when Matson Lines aircraft arrive in Honolulu, it's with a full load of very satisfied passengers. Unlike certain other airlines who shall remain nameless, but think they own the ocean.

2. Matson has already sold out every seat for it's luxury air tour of the American West. However, we cordially invite the competition's flight crews for a special preflight dinner onboard our aircraft and served by our chef at our onboard dining table. Choice of red or white wine will be served with dinner which will include appetizers, filet mignon, Maine lobster amongst various side dishes and a baked alaska for dessert. RSVP only.

Captain, Matson Lines NC66777

Flew on down from Oakland to LAX for final preps for the "Rodeo".
 
A little bit about flying online.

Now that we've had a little fun with more to follow, let's get serious for a minute.

As MM said, all are welcome to join in. We fly on the SOH Flight Center server. www.sim-outhouse.net

Normally we try to get together around 9 Central, 10 Eastern, 7 on the West coast. Take off is usually about 30 to 40 mins later. We try to keep each flight to about an hour give or take. If someone has to leave early that's not a problem as real life comes first.
 
Thinking about hopping into a Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA/aka Poor Sailor's Airline) tonite for a quick tour of the LA area airports before we leave out on the Rodeo tour. Long Beach, Burbank and anything else that looks big enough for a DC-4.
 
Looks like we go shopping for airliners at the same airlines :d.

I didn't think there were that many paints out there for the JBK DC-4. But there's a bunch of them when you get to looking. I've been like a kid in a candystore.
 
Willy mentioned serving Baked Alaska before the event. Well, the temperature in Phoenix is 102 this early Fall weekend. A little hotter on the tarmac.
 
Stopped by Denver - Stapleton with some of Maton's purchasing agents, setting up logistics for the flight. Got a good price on buffalo steaks.

Matson is advertising this as the "Great Western Tour". Instead of the Line's normal luxury flights to Hawaii, we're flying it like a cruise ship in the air, stopping at points of interest in the American West. Matson is not sparing any expense on this to demonstrate it's aircraft and flights as the most luxurious in the air.
 
Some of the passengers showed up a day early and as I had to make a test flight anyway, I just flew 'em on down to Tiajuana for a day's shopping. Taco and Maddog flew along as well. Figured while I'm down here, I'd get a full set of of those fancy Mexican tuck and roll leather seats put in while I'm waiting. Should look pretty good with the hand carved mahogany panels in the cabin.

Looking forward to the start of the trip tomorrow......
 
A great start to the trip! Things got a little crazy at LAX for me and I couldn't get out of town fast enough (pic 4). I got out of there so fast that I forgot to raise the flaps up that last notch and ended up getting a flaps overspeed that had me wondering if they were going to work at Las Vegas (pic 3). Apparently PRB had a guide book with him and was pointing out the interesting stuff as we flew over the California desert.

We got to Vegas all to soon and I was sure relieved that my flaps were actually working. After we landed, I got part of the postflight lineup (pic 2). And I took pic 4 for PRB after I got offline. He was on about Area 51 and Janet Airways... That's an Janet DC-4 behind me. :d


Pics are in reverse order. The forum software does that at times.....
 
Here are snap shots of the DC-4s line up at LAX, and two of Western's DC-4 climbing over the Angeles Crest Mountain Range.
 
Borrowed an old biplane from a German buddy who hangs out on the strip (as much time as he spends in the casinos it's a wonder he still has it) and while my passengers were spending the day taking Vegas, I went up and got a few shots.

More pics to follow....
 
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