hehe, looks like I bellied in the Howard against a Taco Bell. Gotta find an elephant and go looking for an aircraft...
Royal India Mail
- Thread starter Willy
- Start date
hehe, looks like I bellied in the Howard against a Taco Bell. Gotta find an elephant and go looking for an aircraft...
MM
Charter Member
You can get the "Illustrated Airman's Guide" to the Royal India Mail's Northern Route. Some points of interest are Gandhi's Salt March, the Jodhpur Flying Club, Agra's stunning architectural wonders, Lukla's most dangerous airport, and the Black Hole of Calcutta.
Here is the site:
http://www.mediafire.com/?n6oaao1a8oo5590
Here is the site:
http://www.mediafire.com/?n6oaao1a8oo5590
Willy
Administrator
Nice flight like Moses said. I did have an entertaining landing at Jodphur though. Came down a bit heavy on the runway and the GB started bouncing then slid off to the left and started spinning around. At that point I'm just along for the ride and headed right towards a large building. At the last minute, slid a bit more to left, just enough clear the building and ended up facing the other way towards the runway. I'm not in any hurry to repeat that one....
MM
Charter Member
Nifty aircraft long this route. JC in a Boeing P-26, SrG in a Boeing Monomail, DD in a Bf108. And here the de Havilland Dragon along the PRB's Fokker F.VIIb, Moses' Boeing Monomail, and Willy's GeeBee.
From Ahmedabad to Jodhpur is dry country punctuated halfway by the dramatic Mt Abu rising out of the plains. Peak-hanging clouds made for good photos.
From Ahmedabad to Jodhpur is dry country punctuated halfway by the dramatic Mt Abu rising out of the plains. Peak-hanging clouds made for good photos.
srgalahad
Charter Member 2022
I was enjoying a beverage while flight-planing the next couple of hops when one of the bar-boys dropped a package on my table. A friend had found a potential mail-plane with lots of experience that he thought I could use...
Send a cable back explaining that the rest of the challengers had allowed newer technology to attack their deep pockets and even a nice new Ford would probably be better suited for another time. (Just as well - apparently they are still fabricating a new cockpit for it).
Oh well... it looks like a likely candidate for some of those Appalachian routes we've been eyeing..
View attachment 23623View attachment 23624
New cold weather suits probably will allow the Fokker C-V to rejoin the fleet
Send a cable back explaining that the rest of the challengers had allowed newer technology to attack their deep pockets and even a nice new Ford would probably be better suited for another time. (Just as well - apparently they are still fabricating a new cockpit for it).
Oh well... it looks like a likely candidate for some of those Appalachian routes we've been eyeing..
View attachment 23623View attachment 23624
New cold weather suits probably will allow the Fokker C-V to rejoin the fleet
Well certainly an adventure getting into Lukla. Now to try and get out.
I managed to get stopped with a few feet of runway left. Then parked myself in a safe spot or so I thought.
VW decided that on landing he would like to play Leap Frog and Moses03 and I were the Frogs.
I managed to get stopped with a few feet of runway left. Then parked myself in a safe spot or so I thought.
VW decided that on landing he would like to play Leap Frog and Moses03 and I were the Frogs.
srgalahad
Charter Member 2022
Offices of Eurasia Ltd.
Statement for Immediate Release
Management of Eurasia Ltd. wishes to clarify certain events and refutalize allegations made by Imperialist crews currently in residence at Lukla, Nepal.
First, Eurasia crews are not afraid. Note that we were the first to land at Lukla, paving the way for others to find and approach this challenging airport. However, Eurasia Ltd is very aware of safety in aviation and, as can be seen from the previously-released photos, wisely parked on the opposite side of the aerodrome.
Second, our dawn departure was another safety measure. While other crews were recovering from a severe case of "Yak Milk" poisoning (rumoured to be due to the alcohol content) our crew determined that an early departure was best for local conditions and those anticipated along the course (heat, humidity and haze). Note also that we are willing to provide "Pilots Notes" of the remaining route for crews on request. Some information must remain restricted to Eurasia Ltd crews as it was obtained during our test of Navigationsdiagramme der niedrigen Höhe des schlechten Wetters und spezielles Stromsystem für beibehaltenkurs which is part of our flight and route programme. Stories that we left Lukla early to avoid possible involvement in later takeoff disasters is erroneous. As can be seen, much of the remaining route may be flown at 300m or less.
Third, spurious reports that Eurasia crews were involved in illegal activities are propagandistic at best and scandalous in intent. There was no knowledge or participation on behalf of Eurasia crews in the 'reported' smuggling of a Japanese agent thru Nepal into Britisher India. The flight crew, upon landing in the Calcutta neighbourhood of Barrackpore (all slums seem the same in the malodourous haze that infests this primitive land- the British should study German engineering to cure this pollution), ascertained that a stowaway had abruptly left the aircraft and run off through the fog. Indeed he appeared to be Oriental but to Teutonic eyes it was impossible to ascertain precise nationality. The Crew continued on to Calcutta's airport and provided full information to authorities when questioned. They are now enroute to Lukla via Katmandhu to brief the Nepalese officials (at great cost in fuel and time to Eurasia Ltd). ETA Lukla is expected to be well in advance of the (hopefully safe) departure of the remaining crews.
S. Palin
Eurasia Ltd.
Statement for Immediate Release
Management of Eurasia Ltd. wishes to clarify certain events and refutalize allegations made by Imperialist crews currently in residence at Lukla, Nepal.
First, Eurasia crews are not afraid. Note that we were the first to land at Lukla, paving the way for others to find and approach this challenging airport. However, Eurasia Ltd is very aware of safety in aviation and, as can be seen from the previously-released photos, wisely parked on the opposite side of the aerodrome.
Second, our dawn departure was another safety measure. While other crews were recovering from a severe case of "Yak Milk" poisoning (rumoured to be due to the alcohol content) our crew determined that an early departure was best for local conditions and those anticipated along the course (heat, humidity and haze). Note also that we are willing to provide "Pilots Notes" of the remaining route for crews on request. Some information must remain restricted to Eurasia Ltd crews as it was obtained during our test of Navigationsdiagramme der niedrigen Höhe des schlechten Wetters und spezielles Stromsystem für beibehaltenkurs which is part of our flight and route programme. Stories that we left Lukla early to avoid possible involvement in later takeoff disasters is erroneous. As can be seen, much of the remaining route may be flown at 300m or less.
Third, spurious reports that Eurasia crews were involved in illegal activities are propagandistic at best and scandalous in intent. There was no knowledge or participation on behalf of Eurasia crews in the 'reported' smuggling of a Japanese agent thru Nepal into Britisher India. The flight crew, upon landing in the Calcutta neighbourhood of Barrackpore (all slums seem the same in the malodourous haze that infests this primitive land- the British should study German engineering to cure this pollution), ascertained that a stowaway had abruptly left the aircraft and run off through the fog. Indeed he appeared to be Oriental but to Teutonic eyes it was impossible to ascertain precise nationality. The Crew continued on to Calcutta's airport and provided full information to authorities when questioned. They are now enroute to Lukla via Katmandhu to brief the Nepalese officials (at great cost in fuel and time to Eurasia Ltd). ETA Lukla is expected to be well in advance of the (hopefully safe) departure of the remaining crews.
S. Palin
Eurasia Ltd.
Willy
Administrator
It took all night and with bits from the wreckage of five Gee Bees, I got it back together and almost ready to fly. Got a few good tips from the locals about proper technique to take off from here, so I guess we're ready to leave once the others get out of the local bar and grill and sober up a bit.
According to the grapevine, there's some officials who are on their way to Lukla. Something about pilot's landing here without having the proper licenses to use the airport. Probably don't need to hang around any more than necessary.
According to the grapevine, there's some officials who are on their way to Lukla. Something about pilot's landing here without having the proper licenses to use the airport. Probably don't need to hang around any more than necessary.