Re-creation of the China Clipper's First Flight

[stearmandriver]

All,

I decided I needed a winter flight simming project, and settled on modeling a historic flight - the Pan Am M-130 "China Clipper's" first flight, inaugurating commercial air service across the Pacific. Winter's half over and I've finished the first leg... ok, maybe it'll be a couple winters' worth of projects ;-).

Anyway, I've found I can keep it semi-accurate, using a combination of dead reckoning and celestial navigation; and I think I've found a way to decently model the HfDf they used (though at much shorter distances). I think the rest of this trip will be interesting...

I decided to document the journey, mostly because I've found that doing so forces me to study up on the history more and I always end up learning something. For any fellow flying boat enthusiasts (are there any? Just me? I was afraid of that...), feel free to take a look and correct any inaccuracies you may find.

It turned out longer than intended (they always do), but there are timestamps in the description to skip to any part that may interest you.

https://youtu.be/upPKwl3eHPE

[Badger85]

That's a really cool idea -- I'll check out your video (actually, it turns out I'm already a subscriber of yours; pretty neat). I'm also a flying boat fan. There's something about their versatility, majesty, and grace that is captivating. My favorite ones are the PBY Catalina, Grumman Goose, and Boeing 314. If you like flying boats, I recommend The American Flying Boat by Richard Knott: it's an older work but written very well and captures and conveys a lot of interesting details about flying boat development (and the personalities and dramas involved).

[stearmandriver]

Thanks, I'm always looking for a new book!

This has definitely been an adventure so far. I'm about a third of the way to Midway and enjoying the daytime flying after that long night...

The Boeing 314 is one of my favorites as well. I understand the original Pilot's B314 for FS9 was great; I'm REALLY looking forward to the new version. I have an interesting re-creation in mind for that as well. Ever read "Long Way Home" about Robert Ford and crew in the days following the Pearl Harbor attack? ;-)

[warchild]

I've been looking for a B-314 for a long time.. I dont care if its fsx, P3D or X-Plane.. Just havent had a whole lotta luck..
Pilots from what i can tell, is gone. Hoping i'm wrong though

[stearmandriver]

There is supposedly a new version of the Pilot's B314 coming. It's late based on their last release estimate, but if I remember right someone here recently got an email from them saying it's still being developed.

http://www.fly2pilots.com/Cms/Ui/Pages/Products/MainPage.aspx?id=9c96eb9a-0097-4083-be89-64f534a61a6e&pageid=017fac64-ff48-4139-8dd1-8dae8b5ab1f9

https://archives.airdailyx.net/fsnewsbreaker/2017/6/11/pilots-boeing-b314-clipper-and-fs-global-real-weather-v2

[stearmandriver]

Progress is being made... just arrived Midway Island. The Honolulu-Midway leg was split into two videos; OP updated with the links.

Hrm, guess I can't edit a post that old. Parts 1 and 2 of leg 2:
https://youtu.be/zlXR7H0M0vk
https://youtu.be/e5DajcGptFY

A couple image teases of our progress...

Out the Golden Gate:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58007&stc=1



Sunset over the pacific:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58008&stc=1



Sunrise over Honolulu / Diamond Head:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58009&stc=1



Passing French Frigate Shoals:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58010&stc=1

[stearmandriver]

Course correction over Pearl and Hermes Atoll:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58011&stc=1



Lying at our mooring, Midway Island:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58012&stc=1



The nav chart so far:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58013&stc=1

[Naismith]

Very interesting video - looking forward to the others.

Recently I have been reading Beyond the Blue Horizon by Alexander Frater which focuses upon the flights of Imperial Airways UK to Australia. Thinking about possibly recreating those flights... it is quite the challenge.

[Josh Patterson]

All,

I decided I needed a winter flight simming project, and settled on modeling a historic flight - the Pan Am M-130 "China Clipper's" first flight, inaugurating commercial air service across the Pacific. Winter's half over and I've finished the first leg... ok, maybe it'll be a couple winters' worth of projects ;-).

Anyway, I've found I can keep it semi-accurate, using a combination of dead reckoning and celestial navigation; and I think I've found a way to decently model the HfDf they used (though at much shorter distances). I think the rest of this trip will be interesting...

I decided to document the journey, mostly because I've found that doing so forces me to study up on the history more and I always end up learning something. For any fellow flying boat enthusiasts (are there any? Just me? I was afraid of that...), feel free to take a look and correct any inaccuracies you may find.

It turned out longer than intended (they always do), but there are timestamps in the description to skip to any part that may interest you.

https://youtu.be/upPKwl3eHPE No, you're definitely not alone as a fan of the flying boat, we're out there! :wavey: (In my avatar I'm standing on the wing of the Mars in Oshkosh!)

[mthrift]

Hi there,

I wanted you to know that I've watched the China Clipper navigation videos and really enjoyed them. I too am fascinated with how the simulation is able to function so true to life - even for esoteric (yet worthwhile) activities like this. Thank you for documenting the process and showing all the steps. I really learned something!

Also enjoyed your MilViz Beaver videos. I recreated your "day in the life" series with the JF Otter. I'm a big RTMM fan and flyer as well and had spent a great deal of time around PF20, but had never explored these areas. The drop down from Little Goat Lake was a blast!

Thanks again! :encouragement:


Michael

[BendyFlyer]

Great idea, recreating these older flights is good fun and as you say, you can really get into the history and technical detail on these which can be quite absorbing. I did do the Pan Am Sikorsky run but went no further than Samoa due other interruptions. The flying boat era was fascinating and thrilling. I am young enough to remember actually riding in some of these, like the Catalina in PNG and seeing the RZNAF Sunderlands around the Pacific, the Sandringham operating at Rose Bay etc. Fortunate in this hemisphere that they kept these old birds operating for years and years after they were nostalgic history other places.

These flights are quite a challenge, no weather updates in those days, except those that you worked out for yourself, but radio comms on HF were not all that bad. I see from the flight chart that fair bit of drift left of track. Liked the active flight log tool (what is it called and where do you get it?) although I must admit I still keep a pencil and paper and do it by hand as I have always done.

Yep, lots of interest, nice to read about it. Me will be back to flying boats shortly, doing scenery for bases in the Pacific and Oz but in the meantime I am half way around the world in the Super Constellation doing the Qantas RTW run, Sydney to London via the East and then London to Sydney via the Atlantic, US and Pacific. But I am going with flight and duty limits, so it has taken quite a few days to do the first half. Makes you sweat the small stuff, with limited navaids etc.

[stearmandriver]

Thanks guys! Glad to see others enjoy this stuff. The project has been on pause for a couple weeks due to real life distractions, but leg 3 (Midway to Wake) is planned up and ready to go. To me, this is kind of the penultimate leg of the trip, so I'm looking forward to it.

The self calculating navlog can be found on the A2A Connie forum. It's a very cool tool, I think you'll enjoy it if you check it out. (There's a dropbox link to the latest version on the second or third page of that thread. )
https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=133&t=61102&sid=8279b577215c5fc46097774cf788eec0

[Seahawk72s]

With all the good info on your flight, I needed to get the Pilot B314 out.
I remember now why I really like this aircraft.

[stearmandriver]

Leg 3, Midway to Wake Island, is in the books. It was great; beautiful dawn takeoff from Midway, routine dead reckoning and celestial nav for 1,000nm of open ocean to a landfall procedure (supplemented by HfDf)... and I found Wake Island and landed in 2.5 miles visiblity. THAT was kind of an unexpected ending, but worked out just fine. Video to follow when I have time, but here's a few teaser shots:

Dawn in the Pacific is pretty awesome:

http://www.fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/images/2018/02/28/dawntakeoff.jpg

http://www.fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/images/2018/02/28/dawnpass.jpg

http://www.fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/images/2018/02/28/dawnclimbout.jpg



And turning final into the Wake Island lagoon, two and a half miles vis. Peale island on the left, where the Pan Am facilities were:

http://www.fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/images/2018/02/28/final.jpg

[BendyFlyer]

Great screenshots of the dawn sky. Very nice.

[stearmandriver]

Well, if anyone is still following, the video of leg 3 (Midway to Wake) is up:


https://youtu.be/Ysf0ditVFX8

[AusWilko]

I think people are still watching, Keep it going, very cool

[warchild]

Of course we're following. ::chuckles:: Personally, I would like to attempt to fly the old Aerospatiale mail route between Paris and Chile. They would attach a Potez or other light mail plane to the top of one of these boats and fly it too brazil where it would undock and fly the rest of the way to Chile on its own.. Flights like yours remind me of those days, when there was a good deal of courage, a little common sense and a whole lot of "Why Not?". Those were incredible times..

[Naismith]

Still enjoying the videos.. :applause:

[stearmandriver]

Whew... FINALLY got Leg 4, Wake Island to Guam, completed and posted. This flight and video was a WIP for a year, and believe me, the quality does not reflect that :wink:. Naw, it follows the same format as the others (though it is a bit shorter), I just needed a break for a while and have been busy. But back to it. One more leg!!

https://youtu.be/g0lV7Nhc99Q

[cavaricooper]

Andy-

Really enjoying this, thanks so much. I particularly like the contrast between lines of position and the HUGS acceleration carat ;).

If ever Pilot’s releases its 314 I’ll depart Alameda with my sailing orders.

C

[cavaricooper]

In fact, you got my juices flowing so I am busy flight planning a Caribbean trip. Should I find the islands without worry, I shall soon set off across the blue waters :)

C

[stearmandriver]

I particularly like the contrast between lines of position and the HUGS acceleration carat*.
C

Hah, thanks Carl. Yes, I do tend to jump around in the sim. After working on this trip non stop until getting to Wake, I needed a break for sure. I'm back at it and enjoying it immensely again, so the break did its job! Time to git 'er done now.

Enjoy the Caribbean!

[FlyingsCool]

I'm sorry if I missed it, but what plane is that you're flying? Beautiful.

I can't wait to go through your flight log tonight when I get home, I love your idea!

[FlyingsCool]

When I was at the Flightsim conference in DC back in 2006 or so I think it was, I met and spent a couple of hours talking to one of the original Pan Am pilots of the clippers. I've always been fascinated with that period, the fact the world was so unexplored and was just opening up because of planes like the B314 and others. So cool!

[stearmandriver]

I'm sorry if I missed it, but what plane is that you're flying? Beautiful.

I can't wait to go through your flight log tonight when I get home, I love your idea!

I'm envious you got to talk to a Clipper pilot; I'd love that opportunity.

The plane I'm using is a Martin M-130 model available for free over at CalClassic. It's a visually accurate model of the China Clipper, the plane that Pan Am pioneered oceanic crossings with. Performance seems pretty accurate too, from everything I've read.

[FlyingsCool]

I'm envious you got to talk to a Clipper pilot; I'd love that opportunity.

The plane I'm using is a Martin M-130 model available for free over at CalClassic. It's a visually accurate model of the China Clipper, the plane that Pan Am pioneered oceanic crossings with. Performance seems pretty accurate too, from everything I've read.

Yeah, definitely a real moment in my life. He had some stories to tell. And even at his age was still pretty active. He talked a lot about the simulator system he was building, with a separate room with controls to create "failures" in MSFS for students.

[cavaricooper]

Andy-

About to go Sextanting (not THAT sort) and HF DFing in the PMDG DC-6 this weekend. Have you installed these gauges in Prepar3d v4.4, or are you aware of any issues therewith?

Ta!

C

PS- Are you finishing in Manila or going all the way to the mainland? Loving the journey!

[stearmandriver]

Hey Carl,

I don't know about the gauges in 4.4, I'm still on FSX. I know others have said the sextant works in P3d but I don't know about the versions. Also not sure about the weatherships/hfdf gauge. There's been recent discussion on the A2A forum of people using them though, and I'm guessing most folks are on P3d now so if they're still using em then your odds are good.

I'm stopping in Manila, since that's where the big clippers stopped and reversed the trip. A smaller Sikorsky boat stayed out there and ran the last leg of the service to Hong Kong. It would have been a waste to use the big ocean-crossing boats on that run. So in the interest of historical accuracy, we're done in Manila. (I think there is an S42 available at CalClassic though if someone wanted to do it... I think I'll need another break though!)

[stearmandriver]

Done and Done!

Leg 5, Guam to Manila, is in the books, and that completes the journey. Thanks to anyone who's been following along!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=975YtYq6pOQ&list=PLMtqQ_JsCX4Kf9OpS8Tj6Qol Wk8NahOmy&index=6

[Naismith]

Thanks for the series, I have learnt a whole bunch following the adventure. Now just have to find the time. :applause:

[BendyFlyer]

Well done Stearman Driver, followed this with interest with you. Even as I did myself coincidentally nearly at the same time, same route same aeroplane. It is some flight indeed. Very stylish video presentation and acknolwedgement of the role of Ed Musick. Highly recommended to all.

[stearmandriver]

Well done Stearman Driver, followed this with interest with you. Even as I did myself coincidentally nearly at the same time, same route same aeroplane. It is some flight indeed. Very stylish video presentation and acknolwedgement of the role of Ed Musick. Highly recommended to all.

Glad to hear I'm not the only crazy one ;).

Naw, that's great though that people are doing this stuff. We're obviously a niche within a niche (flight sim in general), but it's still cool. I'm sorry I didn't know we were doing the same route at the same time...

[BendyFlyer]

Stearman, well nearly, I used to post over at CalClassic but some ill timed and illfounded ignorant comments from a member made me rethink my participation and I decided I was not a fit there, so I quit.

Besides as you say you gotta really enjoy the challenge and era of these older flying boats to appreciate what an amazing effort it was by the Americans and the British on separate sides of the globe, it was a remarkable era of transoceanic flight done in flying 'boats'. The Martin 130 alas never did what is was supposed to - fly the Atlantic due to politics. Now I have completed the reconfiguration of JBKs S23s I am ready for the Atlantic runs via Bermuda.

[Naismith]

What's the betting that member is no longer there. These know-it-all argumentative folk tend to pop in an out like my shoulder. :wiggle:

[stearmandriver]

Well done Stearman Driver, followed this with interest with you. Even as I did myself coincidentally nearly at the same time, same route same aeroplane. It is some flight indeed. Very stylish video presentation and acknolwedgement of the role of Ed Musick. Highly recommended to all.


Stearman, well nearly, I used to post over at CalClassic but some ill timed and illfounded ignorant comments from a member made me rethink my participation and I decided I was not a fit there, so I quit.

Besides as you say you gotta really enjoy the challenge and era of these older flying boats to appreciate what an amazing effort it was by the Americans and the British on separate sides of the globe, it was a remarkable era of transoceanic flight done in flying 'boats'. The Martin 130 alas never did what is was supposed to - fly the Atlantic due to politics. Now I have completed the reconfiguration of JBKs S23s I am ready for the Atlantic runs via Bermuda.

Huh, that kind of behavior surprises me from the CC forum. I've seen them be a bit curmudgeonly but never overtly rude or antagonistic. I noticed that another user who I've traded PMs with there in the past has deleted his account too; there must have been some drama I missed. Well, don't blame you for leaving, life is too short for that silliness.

I'll have to look up that S23 ;).

[BendyFlyer]

Yeah good idea. I have loaded up all my FSX flying boat base files as part of the package. They will give some scenery for some but not for all. But they will give you all the flying boat bases located accurately and based on checked historical records as to where they operated from. I also tidied up the cabin textures for the M130 which folks are welcome to have. FWIW it was through a flying boat discussion that I came into contact with the nephew of Ed Musack who had all the family records. he sent me the original accident report of the loss of the S42 out of Samoa that got Ed and was very informatiove about Musack in general. So amazing who can pop up on these sim forums. Same as I had the good fortune to talk to regularly the daughter of one of the old S23 Captains as I am slowly researching stuff about a Captain Jack Burgess who was a young Kiwi who brought out Centarurus to NZ and even Fiji and joined up at Auckland with Musack. She filled in dates and times and all sorts of stuff by looking it up in his log book.

As for CC well put it down to crusty old fart syndrome - that apprently cranky old bloke in the left hand seat that is the pleasure of all co-pilots when there career starts. I guess it was me. Ha! When youve been a C&T Captain Military QFI and still teach airline pilots I become quite intolerant when folks present faulty knowledge as fact.

Tell you what here if your interested here is a suggestion - Want to recreate the July 1937 crossing of the Atlantic in July 1937, when Pan Am went eastward in the S42 and Imperial went westward in the Short S23? I think basically the same day. I am curious about doing the Atlantic in an aircraft of this class, so probably is good to see what that was like. (Same as my old job, fastidious attention to every engine murmur and hours and hours of the big blue).

[stearmandriver]

Tell you what here if your interested here is a suggestion - Want to recreate the July 1937 crossing of the Atlantic in July 1937, when Pan Am went eastward in the S42 and Imperial went westward in the Short S23? I think basically the same day. I am curious about doing the Atlantic in an aircraft of this class, so probably is good to see what that was like. (Same as my old job, fastidious attention to every engine murmur and hours and hours of the big blue).

That is interesting, and I've definitely been intending to do some Atlantic flying on the boats. But right now I've started working on another historical re-creation project, coincidentally one that DOES take place in July 1937, but with a less successful outcome. In the other ocean, though. Just banged some quick scenery together for it; didn't put in much work, because we may never even see it, after all ;)

https://images2.imgbox.com/b8/86/z1PX3GJp_o.jpg

[jeansy]

PILOTS posted some new images of their upcoming Clipper on FB, you might be lucky enough to finish your flight with a new model

[BendyFlyer]

Stearman - I know the flight to which you refer. Fascinating how much material is about on that flight, I got the JF or AH Lockheed 10 to do it, though about it for months and then put it to one side. You going to the round the globe in it's entirety from the US to Mid Pacific or pick up half way. I think the Atlantic, Indian Ocean crossings are enough of a challenge. Have fun, it is a fascinating navigation problem and the navigator knew his stuff.

[BendyFlyer]

PILOTS posted some new images of their upcoming Clipper on FB, you might be lucky enough to finish your flight with a new model

Jeansy still hoping on this one a definite one day. Get it painted in BOAC WW2 colours would be a treat.

[stearmandriver]

Thanks for the heads up on the new 314 pics. I will also be all over this on day one; well, except that I'm on FSX still and I think they're releasing the P3d version first.

Bendy, you overestimate my commitment ;). I'm attacking just the final leg of that journey, after studying it pretty intently for a while now. I think I'm going to simulate 3 different scenarios, and we'll see how they all turn out.

[mthrift]

Stearmandriver,

I also really enjoyed this series, and hope one day soon to have time to learn how to use celestial navigation using your instructions. You've opened a whole new world! Thanks for your research, time, and effort in bringing this experience to us. :applause:

I loved your comparison of the awe people felt for the Martin Clipper and that of the Space Shuttle. That really put it in perspective for me!


Best regards,
Michael

[BendyFlyer]

Thanks for the heads up on the new 314 pics. I will also be all over this on day one; well, except that I'm on FSX still and I think they're releasing the P3d version first.

Bendy, you overestimate my commitment ;). I'm attacking just the final leg of that journey, after studying it pretty intently for a while now. I think I'm going to simulate 3 different scenarios, and we'll see how they all turn out.

Ha! it was well above my commitments too. Understand the final leg stuff. This is a really tricky navigation problem, nailing a line of longitude and time then deciding left or right to the destination. The technique worked for Francis Chichester in his Gypsy Moth flying to Australia and got him to Lord Howe, so many possibilities the weather was ordinary and fuel now scarce, this one had the pucker factor allright.