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MM
October 19th, 2009, 19:21
Post here your "Team Melrose" legs. This is our tribute to young Jimmy Melrose and his wonderful spirit of adventure.

Thanks to Milton Shupe, Tom Falley, and Damien Radice for their splendid creation. The leadoff flight will be taken by Milton when he is ready.

MM
October 19th, 2009, 19:22
Working Guidelines for Team Melrose.

Here are a few suggestions:

• The idea is to have fun and honor Jimmy Melrose. The team is not committed to winning the race or, even, making the very best time possible.
• The team route should more-or-less follow the Melrose route. Through Rome, Athens, and so forth.
• The first leg will be flown by Milton Shupe at a time of his choosing. Another leg, perhaps the second leg, is reserved for Tom Falley. Otherwise, every team member is encouraged to take the stick.
• Pilots should limit their legs to manageable lengths. There is no need to restrict landings to the official "prepared airports" though those might serve as a good guideline. Short legs, no more than two or three hours, are better for everyone concerned.
• The team organization will intentionally be loose. Pilots may "grab the baton" whenever it is not held by another pilot.
• Pilots may reserve the baton for the next leg to follow immediately after the current pilot lands. Accordingly, pilots should state their destination clearly when they take off or when they change course. If the reserving pilot does not take the baton within 15 minutes of the previous pilot's landing, then the baton is free.
• The pilot who has just completed a leg should encourage another pilot to take the next leg. If there is no one around, and the current pilot is just itching to do another leg, he should go ahead—after waiting at least a half hour for another pilot to show up.

Until our "senior pilot" Moses gets back from the computer hospital, we'll try to get by without any visible leadership...;)

Let's have some fun and salute a great aviation hero.

Milton Shupe
October 20th, 2009, 03:22
Good morning World! This is Milton Shupe, flying from EGUN to LFPB for Team Melrose. I have the Baton. Salute!

Milton Shupe
October 20th, 2009, 05:35
Landed at LFPB safely. The baton is free.

Milton Shupe
October 20th, 2009, 15:23
Fliger_747 will be along shortly to fly the second leg to LFLY.

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 15:35
Have to do a preflight test to make sure Duenn'a etc are working.

Cheers: T

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 16:10
If it's not one thing it's another... Mainframe doesn't want to recognice whatever my outhouse p-word is... So will run on that one and report via this one and bring the duenna over for DL. Have the baton,, LFPB-LFLY Puss Moth....

Back later.... T

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 16:30
Avec plus'ca uncertainie! Map, we do'n need no stn'kn map.... Over the hill and follow the river?

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 16:44
A waypoint... across a river by some funny lakes. On course so far.... T

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 16:46
dang Duenna went red for unknow reasons... have to restart....

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 16:55
Off again at 52...

srgalahad
October 20th, 2009, 16:59
You'd think that with all those oil royalties you and the state would be totally interactive with an IT person in every home:icon_lol:

Fly well Tom ( and check the gas)

Rob

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 17:13
Geez, I still have dialup....

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 17:14
A little higher with not such adverse winds so far, at least now I recognize the landmarks on this part!

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 17:21
Back to where I was, and wind has blown me about a mile to the east. Slight course correction. Got to love those funny shaped lakes....

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 18:23
Still putt'n along with a green Duenna, a little east of course at the moment.

T

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 18:33
Guessing about 60 NM out?

Milton Shupe
October 20th, 2009, 18:44
I'm pulling for ya, son! :)

MM
October 20th, 2009, 18:47
Yup. "Kids" nowadays...

jkcook28
October 20th, 2009, 18:50
Guessing about 60 NM out?

Heck, that's the better part of an hour with the wind! :d

Great job on the aircraft guys, gonna try to steal a leg tomorrow myself.

Full speed ahead!

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 19:11
I can see where it should be, but still no visual on the flugplatz.....

T

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 19:15
I can see the cathedral, do I have to come in on a wing and a prayer....?

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 19:17
Tally Ho...

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 19:29
Baton Free LFLY Puss moth, stuff to follow!

fliger747
October 20th, 2009, 19:35
The stuff...

Milton Shupe
October 20th, 2009, 19:36
Well, thank you Tom for helping to represent the design team of the Puss Moth. I know that Scott and Damian would be proud. :ernae:

Team Melrose flights are now open to all members. Let's enjoy the historical significance of it all and just have fun.

Good luck everyone and thank you for the warm words on this aircraft. It was a real pleasure to do this one and I hope you have lots of fun hours flying her.

Looks like we are heading toward Rome and Athens ... who is next? :)

fliger747
October 21st, 2009, 00:31
Pretty good staying within about 10 miles of the track...... A lot of fun flying in the olten style! Actually flew the cub around the arctic for years with a map and a compass that pointed east. here I had a compass and not much of a map....

Best wishes to all, and a thought that all of Milton's planes are fun at a minimum!

Cheers: T

Bry Rosier
October 21st, 2009, 11:41
I am unable to start my Golden age race until the weekend but I have itchy feet so If okay I will take the Puss Moth down to Marseille

Bry flying the Puss Moth LFLY - LFML , departing in the pouring rain at 15:30 local as same day as Tom :)

Bry Rosier
October 21st, 2009, 13:18
Mr Melrose is happy to announce his arrival at Marseille LFML :) He had headwinds causing a low and exciting flight through a pretty nasty storm but the Puss coped admirably . Stayed low to avoid the cloud base and headwinds as best as : All good and now dreaming of Australia :)

jkcook28
October 21st, 2009, 18:35
Baton is getting cobwebs on the ramp so I'll go LFML-->LFMD; a shorty in driving rain...what a surprise.

Milton Shupe
October 21st, 2009, 18:57
Hey Bry ... great shots; thank you for sharing them.

John, she probably needs a wash job anyhow ... go for it. :applause:

jkcook28
October 21st, 2009, 18:57
Getting dark fast.:kilroy: 35min out.

jkcook28
October 21st, 2009, 19:21
Baton is free @ LFMD.

MM
October 21st, 2009, 20:06
Team Melrose Coordinating Daylight Flights

Here is a suggestion for Team Melrose.


We set a common "local real life day" by UTC. (As opposed to European Time, Central Time, or Pacific Time.) That is, the new day begins at 0001 UTC on each day.
The first pilot on each "local real life day" begins his leg at dawn "local simulator time"--to maximize daylight for the next few pilots.

What do you think?

Milton Shupe
October 22nd, 2009, 15:52
Sounds great to me MM. :)

Milton has the baton, going from LFMD to LIRF at dawn.

MM
October 22nd, 2009, 17:28
I'll be happy to take the next leg.

Weather coming in so touring Rome looks "iffy."

Milton Shupe
October 22nd, 2009, 18:21
Down and safe at LIRF.

Sorry, I did not see your message until after landing.

The baton is free at LIRF.

MM
October 22nd, 2009, 18:23
Congratulations on the excellent leg. Will take the baton.

Over the mountains, Rome-Brindisi (LIRF-LIBR) if the weather permits.

Milton Shupe
October 22nd, 2009, 18:42
Rain, lightning, leaving Rome and large cumulus clouds all over the mountains ... be safe.

Here are a couple shots approaching Rome about 60 miles out on my leg. Uncertain weather was a bit disconcerting but only a bit foggy on approach.

MM
October 22nd, 2009, 21:10
Safely into Brindisi, the historic Air Force base. Massive thunderstorm just on takeoff from Rome--for a long while it looked awful--but got out of the immediate storms and dodged the thunderboomers the rest of the way. The only trick was finding out which clouds had hills in them...

FSX does Southern Italy rather well.

MM
October 23rd, 2009, 05:00
Escaping from the the ferocious thunderstorm that made for some white-knuckle flying;
Heading down the coast for Naples and Vesuvius to avoid storms and the higher Apennine peaks;
Crossing the Apennines--being buffeted about by cross-winds made it difficult work to hold course;
Puss Moth's unique looks is framed by the olive garden in village below.

Milton Shupe
October 23rd, 2009, 09:57
Beautiful shots MM :applause:

bpfowler
October 23rd, 2009, 12:37
great flying, dudes! I have been watching the race with real interest. Great screenshots of the weather, too. All using real weather from inside the sim?

Bry Rosier
October 23rd, 2009, 13:42
Hi Brad , my Weather textures are from REX2 (Real Environment Extreme 2 ) generated by Active Sky X weather engine , Happy flying

jkcook28
October 23rd, 2009, 15:41
Think I'll move this across the water to Greece.
Wx stinks, winds stink but going anyway! :running:

LIBR-->LGPZ.

jkcook28
October 23rd, 2009, 16:10
Well it cleared out for now, but, that can't be good up ahead...

jkcook28
October 23rd, 2009, 16:21
Jepp wx comes thru. When I departed, the trailing edge of the weather system was right on the west coast of Greece. Appears to have moved east clearing my skies. :applause: Still windy tho.

jkcook28
October 23rd, 2009, 16:45
ete :30

jkcook28
October 23rd, 2009, 17:15
Down safe @ LGPZ

Milton Shupe
October 23rd, 2009, 18:28
Looks like Athens should be the next stop ...

I have the baton to LGAT Athens.

Milton Shupe
October 23rd, 2009, 19:28
Hmmmm ... weather setting in, and right after this shot ... soupy fog ... and mountains ahead ...

Milton Shupe
October 23rd, 2009, 19:36
Yes, fog and rain ... and ... oh well, needed a wash job ... just hope I don;t get waxed by granite.

EDIT: hehe that was interesting ... cleared up 6 miles just before Athens. :)

jkcook28
October 23rd, 2009, 19:53
You flew back into the wx system that cleared out for me on the coast Milton. Can't beat mother nature! Watch those granite clouds. :kilroy:

Milton Shupe
October 23rd, 2009, 20:09
Down and Safe in Athens LGAT

Milton Shupe
October 24th, 2009, 04:25
Beautiful Saturday Morning here in Athens LGAT ... heading to Bodrum LTFE ... with baton. :mixedsmi:

Milton Shupe
October 24th, 2009, 06:27
Down and safe at LTFE. Beautiful scenery all the way hidden by water and fog except for 20 minutes in the last half. Foggy but relatively still at Bodrum.

EDIT: I landed just ahead of this Boeing on my tail. :)

MM
October 24th, 2009, 20:01
Will take the baton for a short flight to set up the next. (Starting a new day at dawn.)

MM
October 24th, 2009, 21:29
A quick 100nm run to Kastelorizo (LGKJ). This small Greek island is just a couple of miles off the Turkish coast. Historically, it has been ruled by many different countries. The Crusaders established a castle-prison here for disobedient knights. It was recaptured by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I. Thereafter, Naples, Venice, the Ottoman Empire, France, and Italy (again) ruled the island.

During the 1930s it served as a seaplane base for French and British airmen. And it was held by the Italians for most of World War II. (In 1944 a fuel dump caught fire and the ammunition dump exploded--destroying half the homes on the island.)

It is now an increasingly popular "out of the way" tourist destination. A rather rocky and hilly terrain gives it splendid views...

MM
October 24th, 2009, 21:52
Some Kodaks:


Pre-Dawn checklist with plenty of coffee.
Sunrise over the Turkish hills.
Heading east into the sun.
The rugged Turkish coastline.
Interesting finals into Kastelorizo.

Milton Shupe
October 25th, 2009, 03:33
Good morning ... continuing on from LGKJ to OSLK. The Shupe has the baton. :kilroy:

Milton Shupe
October 25th, 2009, 03:43
Admiring the coaster waters before heading out to sea.

Milton Shupe
October 25th, 2009, 06:36
Down and clear at OSLK

MM
October 25th, 2009, 11:56
Let's move the baton to the middle of the Syrian desert to set up a trip down the Euphrates to the compulsory Baghdad checkpoint. OSLK-OSDZ.

MM
October 25th, 2009, 14:19
Down at OSDZ. Deir ez-Zor, a city of 230,000, is the center of the Syrian oil industry. Its primary landmark is a French-built 1930 suspension bridge over the Euphrates.

Next pilot, enjoy the stark colors of the desert along the Euphrates. (Don't forget the mandatory checkpoint at Baghdad.)

Great Ozzie
October 25th, 2009, 14:34
Just doing a little :jump: in anticipation of a:
will Take the Baton from OSDZ :syria: to ORBI :iraq:

Bry Rosier
October 25th, 2009, 14:45
Flying Wing to Baghdad for Photographic purposes ;)

Great Ozzie
October 25th, 2009, 15:49
Its primary landmark is a French-built 1930 suspension bridge over the Euphrates.

Time to find out where Mike gets his scenery :icon_eek:

Great Ozzie
October 25th, 2009, 17:16
Safely released the Baton at Baghdad :iraq: (ORBS/ORBI)

Thanks to Bry (who apparently, during my descent, could hear my prop singing "Nearer My God to Thee") and reminded me of Vne in this delightful craft. :ernae:

Bry Rosier
October 25th, 2009, 17:30
Was a nice little Jaunt down to Baghdad , Had four Moth`s in convey at one point :)

Moses03
October 26th, 2009, 14:57
Moving Jimmy along towards the Gulf. Departing for Basrah (ORMM).

Moses03
October 26th, 2009, 15:25
Booted off the server twice now and unable to reconnect. Will finish offline.

Moses03
October 26th, 2009, 16:38
Action photo of the current progress. :mixedsmi:

ETE roughly :45min

Moses03
October 26th, 2009, 17:28
Jimmy is free. Down safe at ORMM.

Nice diversion from the high-maintenance L14.

Great Ozzie
October 28th, 2009, 07:59
Flying the Melrose Baton from Basrah Intl Airport :iraq: across the Persian Gulf to Bushehr, Persia :iran: (ORMM-OIBB)


Trying to decide whether to land on 13R, which is 14.676', or play it safe and land on the longer 13L with its 14.678'


Was concerned about being intercepted by a bonka boat carrying those Chinese rockets, but all is quiet and the Khark (too much like "shark") NDB just came alive.


Playing around with the 2nd ADF Radio and the needle unsteadily swings over my left shoulder and I hear Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNj2BXW852g) by Blind Willie Johnson. Strangely comforted by it but now have lost the signal... only the unwavering sound of the faithful Gipsy Major and the wind to keep me company.


Land Ho! Khark Airport insight! Bushehr just the proverbial hop, skip and a jump now. And with an NDB located on the field named "BUZ" how can one go wrong?

Great Ozzie
October 28th, 2009, 09:54
Safe & Sound and the Baton released at Bushehr :iran: (OIBB)

So it's just 0730 (local time). Time for some Breakfast!

Milton Shupe
October 28th, 2009, 16:49
I have the baton, OIBB to OIBK

Milton Shupe
October 28th, 2009, 19:05
Down and safe in the fog at OIBK. Baton is free.

Milton Shupe
October 29th, 2009, 10:05
Just for kicks, I am trying a long haul flight: OIBK to VABB

Not sure if the computer or Duenna or I can handle it but here goes.

I have the baton.

Milton Shupe
October 29th, 2009, 13:20
After 3 hours and 315nm, all is well ... flying in the deep abyss of fog ... about 7.5 hours and 815nm to go. :mixedsmi:

EDIT: MM reminded me that I had to do VIAL (WHOOPS!) so redirecting to OPKC just 4 hours away. :) Fortunately not too far out of route.

bpfowler
October 29th, 2009, 13:55
cheering erupts in the Team Melrose Root Beer Saloon !!
:guinness: <--rootie

[EDIT: course change noted, more cheering]

Milton Shupe
October 29th, 2009, 14:04
LOL Well, I am going to change again to OPJI so that others can take advantage of all the NDB's between there and VIAL, and so that I can get back on the AT-11 that's calling my name. :) And, I hate to lose 4 hours of progress to a possible FSX hickup. ;)

Milton Shupe
October 29th, 2009, 14:42
Down and safe at OPJI ...

Great to see land again :)

srgalahad
October 30th, 2009, 09:47
Well, this thing has been sitting in the dust too long.

Time to get it to Karachi for the scheduled oil change and a wash.

OPJI to OPKC (maybe.. I'm not sure about the fuel in that drum at the airport)

srgalahad
October 30th, 2009, 10:53
By Pasni at 45, estimating Ormara at 30 next hour, climbing to 5000 as it looks like there's a bit more breeze.

Mostly clear skies and barren desert

srgalahad
October 30th, 2009, 11:47
by the peninsula at Gaz Ab, turning direct OPKC across lots of water. 1 hour to Karachi.

Got brief transmission from Moses - looks like we'll be there about same time --TRAFFIC!

srgalahad
October 30th, 2009, 12:52
Down at OPKC Karachi, having a party
Landed just behind Dave, just before Moses

Great Ozzie
October 30th, 2009, 16:15
Taking the Melrose Baton from Jinnah Intl, Karachi :pakistan: to Kota :india: (OPKC-VIKO)

Great Ozzie
October 30th, 2009, 20:44
Safely Released the Melrose Baton at Kota :india: (VIKO)

ASA calling visibility 2 in Haze, and it looked it, making pilotage next to impossible. Winds at altitude are non-existent.

lol just as I say that about pilotage, I pass over a "pond" (if identified correctly) that puts me slightly south of course.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 02:10
Thank you Sir :wavey:

Picking up the baton at VIKO and moving toward VAKJ and possibly on to VIAL.

I have the baton.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 02:33
Hmmmm, looks like this weather will be persistent all the way with no intermediate airports for a wx refresh.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 03:16
Two cups of very early morning coffee consumed ... foggy flying makes for sleepy eyes ... going to test the Pause button for a quick nap.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 04:53
Ha! Back from a nice early morning nap and unpaused the sim ... still green. :jump:

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 05:41
Down and safe at VAKJ ... still a bit foggy too. The nap helped ... as did the Pause button. :wiggle:

The leg to VIAL is only a bit over 100nm if someone would like a short trek.

Great Ozzie
October 31st, 2009, 07:43
Fwiw, a few pics on the way from Karachi to Kota (I was falling asleep at the keyboard trying to get them ready).

Btw I took off near 0030Zulu, which made it the proverbial "zero-dark thirty" Karachi time. Interesting to find out no panel lights for the Puss Moth. Maybe there's an overhead flood light (I didn't think to look) and the flashlight was stowed too far aft to be within reach.

Dangerousdave26
October 31st, 2009, 08:15
Fwiw, a few pics on the way from Karachi to Kota (I was falling asleep at the keyboard trying to get them ready).

Btw I took off near 0030Zulu, which made it the proverbial "zero-dark thirty" Karachi time. Interesting to find out no panel lights for the Puss Moth. Maybe there's an overhead flood light (I didn't think to look) and the flashlight was stowed too far aft to be within reach.

Try this


Superb work as usual Milton!
Found a thing that needs attention while talking with DangerousDave today about some really long flights that may exceed daylight.
VC light placement is much too far back in the cockpit.
I did a quick tinker of the VC light line and got the panel lit, but needs some tweaking from someone who actually knows what they are doing!:d

the quick fix:
[lights]

//Types: 1=beacon, 2=strobe, 3=navigation, 4=cockpit, 5=landing

light.0 = 3, -1.88, -18.11, 1.90, fx_navred
light.1 = 3, -1.88, 18.11, 1.90, fx_navgre
light.2 = 4, -1.0, 0.00, 0.37, fx_vclight_dh80 <----new
//light.2 = 4, -2.27, 0.00, -1.0, fx_vclight_dh80

Nice flier too!!:applause:

But of course the truth is the Puss Moth had no electrical system so could have no lights.

My suggestion...

Somebody needs to come up with a cigarette lighter effect that lasts only a few seconds then turns off.

It will be like you are flicking your Zippo in the old VW Bug to see the speed-o-meter :icon_lol:

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 08:15
At VAKJ heading for a mandatory stop at VIAL to meet up with DangerousDave to compare Puss Moth notes. ;)

I have the baton.

Dangerousdave26
October 31st, 2009, 08:17
Take your time Milton

I got another 5 hrs to get there. :applause:

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 08:22
No problem ... that gives me plenty of time to find the airport in this soupy fog. I do not think it was meant for me to see this country. LOL

Dangerousdave26
October 31st, 2009, 08:33
VIAL is reporting 60 sm of visibility and 0 winds on the ground.

That is right now:kilroy:

Who knows what it will do when we get there.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 08:55
Well, if I look around me every 30 degrees on the compass, I can see 2 NM. So, 30* times 2 nm = 60 NM of visibility. Cool! :wiggle:

EDIT: LOL No sooner posted and the fog lifted. I can see 60NM in one direction now. :)
There are some rolling hills about 70-80NM out of VIAL ... I had to climb to 3500 to avoid them sneaking up on me in the fog.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 09:16
Down and safe at VIAL ... where's Dave? Where's the local pub? :ernae:

buzzbee
October 31st, 2009, 14:33
Going to take a short hop over to VIBN Varanasi.

Scenic ride for a local official to survey the river.

Dangerousdave26
October 31st, 2009, 19:14
:bump:

Buzzbee seems to be MIA

:kilroy:

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 19:37
:bump:

Buzzbee seems to be MIA

:kilroy:

Hmmm best send out a search party ... it's only 60nm ... hmmm okay, I will pick it up and see what I find.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 19:40
Okay, since significant time has passed since Buzzbee left for a 60nm flight, I ma going to pick it up from VIAL and head to VERC.

I have the baton.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 20:47
I left one hour after Buzzbee started giving a reasonable time to delay start. That means I will be looking for my destination airport in the dark. Fortunately the NDB and city lights will be some help ... and hopefully no fog.

Milton Shupe
October 31st, 2009, 21:53
Down and safe in the dark at VERC ... nice night flight ... no mountains ;)

Milton Shupe
November 1st, 2009, 02:42
Ah, a new day, a new scenery index, a fresh morning, and I am bound for Calcutta.

I have the baton, VERC to VECC.

Milton Shupe
November 1st, 2009, 04:27
Down and safe at Ole Calcutta VECC. The baton is free. :jump:

buzzbee
November 1st, 2009, 09:02
My apologies. Real life forced me to abandon the leg.

Not sure what happened to my Post putting the baton back at VIAL.

Milton Shupe
November 1st, 2009, 09:34
Not a problem ... we were on it. :-) Hope all is well.

Great Ozzie
November 2nd, 2009, 06:03
Taking the Melrose Baton from (Nejaji Subhas Chandra Bose Intl :p: ) Calcutta :india: to Mazin :myanmar: (VECC-VYTD)

On Dangerous Dave's RTPT (btw Dave thanks and thanks for the panel light info).

Set time at Calcutta to approx 4am.

Great Ozzie
November 2nd, 2009, 07:35
Well... somewhere over the Bay of Bengal almost 2 hrs into the flight, I see a few panels of the water flicker to lighter color, then the comp locks up.

All that Comet flying must have worn out the graphics card. :icon_lol:

And it's a nice & cool 14°C in the house. :icon_eek:

Ok... Baton back at VECC

Great Ozzie
November 2nd, 2009, 09:58
Trying this again... Taking the Melrose Baton from (Nejaji Subhas Chandra Bose Intl) Calcutta :india: to Mazin :myanmar: (VECC-VYTD) 4am Calcutta time.

Video driver / nhancer re-install has worked so far (crash at 1hr 30min according to post times, now 1hr 50min into the flight) and graphics actually look better.

Great Ozzie
November 2nd, 2009, 13:47
Safely Released the Melrose Baton at Mazin :myanmar: (VYTD) 8:45am Local Time

MM
November 2nd, 2009, 18:20
Will move Jimmy along to Mawlamyine (VYMM) if time permits...

Starting a new day on the VH-UQO clock.

MM
November 2nd, 2009, 20:52
Safely across to VYMM.

Mawlamyine is Burma's third largest city and known for its cuisine. The Bumese expression goes "Mandaly for the speaking, Yangon for the bragging, and Mawlamyine for the eating."

This was the first capital of British Burma. Here are a couple of English writers in their characteristic voices. From Wikipedia. First, Rudyard Kipling:
By the old Moulmein pagoda
Lookin' lazy at the sea
There's a Burma girl a-settin'
and I know she thinks o' me.
And then George Orwell's 1936 memoir of his years serving as a colonial police officer:
In Moulmein, in Lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people--the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me.
For the Puss Moth, a largely uneventful flight--other than having to climb to a breath-taking 7,000 ft to avoid headwinds, a pleasant day at the office.


Another Dawn wake up call.
Heading into the sunrise.
Crossing the Irrawaddy, Burma's "Big Muddy."
Heading over the Gulf of Martaban and the Adaman Sea.

srgalahad
November 2nd, 2009, 22:42
I can't stand it any more!!!!

3 days in bed in this wretched "hotel", down with the beri-beri or influenza or some such ailment.
Found a doc who had some quinine and a few other potions and I'm off to the airport at 5 am..

Going to sneak along the coast to Ye (VYYE) or if I'm still conscious, maybe I'll try for Dawei (VYDW) where there are reports of a radio beacon.

Gotta find a real colonial doctor somewhere with proper medications and a flask of Brandy

srgalahad
November 2nd, 2009, 22:55
Quartering headwind estimated at 12 kts at 2000 ft but I dare not fly lower as I can see hills dimly in the pre-dawn light.
Thankfully I brought that flask of Canada Dry and I may only last the bare 40 minutes to Ye.

srgalahad
November 2nd, 2009, 23:17
Lights below as the towns come away nearing dawn. I fear it may be still to dark to attempt the landing at Ye as I've been told there are no lights or flare-pots. 15 minutes more.

srgalahad
November 2nd, 2009, 23:42
Circled YE a couple of time before i found the strip. It looked suspect in the gloom and may be flooded from the monsoons.
Instead I'll go on to Dawei and hope for better. Lots of fuel and the sun is rising

srgalahad
November 2nd, 2009, 23:53
It's indeed a beautiful land as daylight comes. Jungle, farms and what appear to be rice paddies around the murky water.
At least the strip at Dawei ( or Tavoy as some call it) should be easy to find near the river.

I am loath to descend as I have found a glorious wind following me at what I estimate to be 40 kts, but the lack of air at even 4500 ft is taxing in my condition. DRAT! these tropical diseases!

srgalahad
November 3rd, 2009, 00:16
I have landed at VYDW amid such horrid turbulence that I felt like a chip of wood in a trout stream in flood and desperately seek rest. Perhaps instead of looking for a hotel I'll just post this note on the propellor and repose in the cockpit for a while. The Moth has been good and shows no sign of the strain of the rough air

salt_air
November 3rd, 2009, 06:44
Uh oh,,,,what's this?...the Puss Moth sitting with the keys in the ignition.

Well let's take for a dawn launch over to VTPH........:jump:

Sure is dark out here!

salt_air
November 3rd, 2009, 07:13
Incredible tailwinds,,,,near gale force,,,,I am diverting to VTBU.

Should be on the ground by 1630 UTC

WHEEEE!!.....:jump:

MM
November 3rd, 2009, 08:09
Here is a (hopeless) gentle reminder.

Team Melrose is operating on a UTC local real life day. That is, the VH-UQO clock gets reset to dawn for the first flight after midnight real life UTC. (We have pilots from all over the world, so we are using UTC as our home time.)

Now there must be a good deal of tropical delirium going through Burma nowadays. So all is excused in this (distinctly unorganized) team. But for future reference, we might want to observe the LM convention about restarting VH-UQO's clock only once each real life (UTC) day.

Now, back to the flying...

salt_air
November 3rd, 2009, 08:12
OH BOY!!

The Puss Moth is free at VTBU

Once again, what a terrific aircraft! An absolute joy to fly. The more time you spend flying it, the less you think of Jimmy as crazed. More like enthused to the "Max"....:jump:

What a switch to have HUGE tailwinds for the entire flight,,,,right up until final, where they became crosswinds...hehehe, but they also dropped to around 10-15 kts and with a 12000' runway it was easy to make a crosswind landing with a green duenna.

Of course, I forgot, I had to pick up the typical zero vis on approach and at less than 1 NM on landing. Rummaging around the cockpit the whole trip,,,,looking for my "Polariods" that I dropped in the dark. They slid out from under the seat as the plane stopped in the turf off the runway,,,,just in time for the rain....:icon_lol:

Very enjoyable flight!

MM
November 3rd, 2009, 08:15
Austin, looking forward to the story on this one!:icon29:

And interesting routing choice...

Great Ozzie
November 3rd, 2009, 08:45
Now there must be a good deal of tropical delirium going through Burma nowadays. So all is excused in this (distinctly unorganized) team. But for future reference, we might want to observe the LM convention about restarting VH-UQO's clock only once each real life (UTC) day.

Just when I was ready to attribute the "Pre-Dawn Take-off After It Was Day" phenomenon to something bizarre like some disturbance in the Space-Time Continuum between Canada and Mawlamyine ( Q! )... :mixedsmi:

Milton Shupe
November 4th, 2009, 17:42
I have the baton VTBU to VTSM.

Milton Shupe
November 4th, 2009, 18:02
Oh cool! I was able to climb to 4600' to get out of a head wind into a perfect tail wind of 27 knots which gives me a good GS of 133 knots. :jump:

Milton Shupe
November 4th, 2009, 19:28
Winds got crazy, got slammed around a bit trying to find best altitude. Lost some of the advantage later with a headwind.

Anyhow, as we get closer, C.J. is getting a bit concerned.

Milton Shupe
November 4th, 2009, 19:33
Ah, found it ... the baton is free at VTSM :jump:

Milton Shupe
November 6th, 2009, 04:50
Well, better get this thing moving ... I have the baton, VTSM to VTSC.

Milton Shupe
November 6th, 2009, 06:54
Down and safe at VTSC. The baton is free.

Great Ozzie
November 6th, 2009, 08:11
Am pushing the Melrose Baton from Narathiwat :thailand: to Singapore :singapore: (VTSC-WSSL)

What a mess!

Great Ozzie
November 6th, 2009, 11:37
Safely Released the Baton at Singapore :singapore: (WSSL)

Oh... it's about 11:30am local (Singapore) time

MM
November 6th, 2009, 16:22
OK. On to Palembang.

Will restart the day at dawn (it's being just after 00:22 UTC real life). Trying ASA again...fingers crossed.

bpfowler
November 6th, 2009, 17:02
go MM go!
greetz from the Team Melrose Root Beer Salon :guinness::guinness:
(used to live in pittsboro, mang)

Milton Shupe
November 6th, 2009, 17:17
Thanks Rob and Mke for keeping Melrose moving. :applause:

Brady, why are you not flying? You are missing half the fun ... and at that speed, you can take the beer with you.

Great Ozzie
November 6th, 2009, 17:40
You're welcome sir... glad I have the time to lend a hand and, of course, grateful for your work - to have the Melrose de Havilland in my FSX "stable". :ernae:

MM
November 6th, 2009, 19:22
Safely down in Palembang (WIPP). Beautiful morning with clouds and breeze but mainly a bright day for touring. Forecast 1/4 mile visibility cleared up as the sun rose in the sky.

Over Sumatra, saw miles and miles of forests below. Wonder if anyone would think of lumbering these beautiful trees...

Java next.

salt_air
November 7th, 2009, 06:15
Austin, looking forward to the story on this one!:icon29:

And interesting routing choice...

My apologies to you Mike for the slow response to your post as well as the lack of response during the interim!!

I've been scrolling through the posts this morning to catch up on race events and today is the first time I've taken notice.

Story:

Riding on a quartering 45 kt tailwind component made it hard to resist actually turning into it to make it hit squarely on the ol' keester. Then on top of and after that having the second RMI needle register U-Taphao 75 NM straight ahead was just too much of a temptation and I caved.......

A bit of a "Joy Ride" I'll admit as far as routing was concerned. Although no more out of the way than Calcutta or some of the other stops along the way.

Looking back thinking what Jimmy would have done.....hmm. Probably would have been just as wind euphoric, but more intent on getting back "Down Under" and stayed the course with a better line towards Singapore.

One would have to have been there on the ground at Rayong when I arrived......

The crowds rushed in from all directions as the word spread of one of the planes from the "Race" had landed there. Folks weren't expecting any planes to show and had dropped their daily tasks, some in aprons, some in hard hats, and a few in hip waders running and screaming...."We have lace plane,,,,Layong have lace plane". Golly,,,whew,,, I just couldn't stop smiling and waving.....[pausing now briefly while the emotions build and poor back over me yet again].......

A wonderful site indeed as I was hoisted to a shoulder ride that carried me to an impromptu "feastival" from which I am just now recovering...:mixedsmi:

Flight Time:

I totally missed you mentioning that the Team fly using UTC as a standard. The time and date stamp from the previous flight certainly didn't indicate any sort of system, so I started the flight at dawn to make room for as many flights as possible the rest of the day.

Hat's off to Dangerousdave,,,,,flying this bird solo is not only monumental, but what a great opportunity to get totally immersed in this great plane.

Cheers,

Moses03
November 7th, 2009, 08:10
Off to Java with a thermos full of java (WIIH).

Moses03
November 7th, 2009, 10:33
Made it to WIIH. Nice weather and modest tailwind made it an enjoyable flight.:mixedsmi:

Duenna came up red with a jump error. I think I had a scenery reset that triggered it. Don't see any cause for alarm.

Errors:
07.11.2009 18:18:32z ERROR NEW: [Same A/C]
07.11.2009 18:18:32z AT S 4* 34.6' / E 105* 45.6' at 5395ft GS:111kts, IAS:95kts, VS:0ft/min
07.11.2009 18:18:32z STATE
07.11.2009 18:18:32z AIRCRAFT DH80 Puss Moth Melrose / Counter 0
07.11.2009 18:18:32z
07.11.2009 18:18:33z ERROR RESOLVED: [Same A/C] (Duration 00:00:01)
07.11.2009 18:18:33z AT S 4* 34.6' / E 105* 45.6' at 5395ft GS:111kts, IAS:95kts, VS:0ft/min
07.11.2009 18:18:33z STATE
07.11.2009 18:18:33z AIRCRAFT DH80 Puss Moth Melrose / Counter 2
07.11.2009 18:18:33z


I think the real challenge here is moving Jimmy along before he wanders over into the rough part of town with all the bars and "adult" establishments that rent by the hour...

Great Ozzie
November 8th, 2009, 08:14
Taking the baton from Halim Perdanakusumah Intl :indonesia: to Abdulrachman Saleh Aero :indonesia: (WIIH/WIHH-WARA)

It's about Quarter Past Midnite Zulu Time / Quarter Past Seven am Local Time

Edit: Dang I guess that's not right... it's actually 17z + and oh my that means I should be flying in The Dark and that "someone" should be teasing me now as I seemed to have done so to them in a previous post. :icon_eek:

Passed by the "OZ" NDB a short while ago...

Great Ozzie
November 8th, 2009, 12:00
Safely Released the Baton at Abdulrachman Saleh Aero :indonesia: (WARA)

We're coming up on a real 0000z soon (3 hrs) so coming up on a (for real) dawn soon :icon_eek:

jkcook28
November 8th, 2009, 16:41
Going to move Mr. Melrose along to WRRA

Milton Shupe
November 8th, 2009, 17:17
Thank you John :applause:

I have been blessed with family company this weekend but I have been able to mount some skis on the Puss Moth in the early and late hours. You never know where the next race will take us, or in what weather. :) I will try to get in a ride tomorrow night.

jkcook28
November 8th, 2009, 17:37
That ski-version looks nice! Don't think I'll need them in Java...

Willy
November 8th, 2009, 18:32
Wonder how it looks with floats? ;)

jkcook28
November 8th, 2009, 18:36
Safely down at WRRA.

Nice westerly tailwinds at 3000' right now if anyone wants to head east for jump-off to Darwin.

Bry Rosier
November 9th, 2009, 06:09
Moving Jimmy on towards Darwin :) WRRA ( WADA FSX ) headind 250 miles east to WRRW ( WADW ) Mau Hau

Bry Rosier
November 9th, 2009, 08:34
Jimmy arrived at WRRW (WADW) nice flight throught he mountains then across the Timor sea , Lots of clouds but nice winds , bit of rain along the way , and came across a bizarre and sleek low-wing warplane , nothing like a sopwith Camel :0

Some Horticultural Genius planted some Leylandii "quick-grow" evergreens on the Threshold :applause:

Please continue on towards Darwin :)

srgalahad
November 9th, 2009, 09:54
Jimmy arrived at WRRW and came across a bizarre and sleek low-wing warplane , nothing like a sopwith Camel :0

Hmmm.. perhaps the team should have a mechanic check the exhaust system for possible carbon monoxide leaks... toxic fumes have been known to affect vision...


Some Horticultural Genius planted some Leylandii "quick-grow" evergreens on the Threshold :applause:


The local golf course superintendant says the bits he picked from your wingtip look like "Swedish" or Columnar Aspen which do grow about 18"-30" per year until they reach 30-35 ft. Apparently they make an excellent windbreak when planted in rows.

Rob

srgalahad
November 9th, 2009, 09:58
Rob O.

Did you think you were 'safe'???
http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_UTC.aspx

:running:_________________:running:_______________ ____:running:

Dangerousdave26
November 9th, 2009, 13:06
After reviewing the flight plan options I have three choices

WRRW - WRKK <--- this option is for Wimps 75nm

WRRW - YPDN <--- 901 nm not really some thing I can do tonight nor do I think it necessary with Team Melrose. Show Boating is for my own trip. :icon_lol:

WRRW - YTTI <-- 422 nm I am up for this one. it still leaves 500 - 600 nm to YPDN around

If there are no objections I will launch in 30 minutes.

Dangerousdave26
November 9th, 2009, 13:36
And we are off WRRW - YTTI

:guinness:

Dangerousdave26
November 9th, 2009, 14:02
Well :censored:

It was a good plan but YTTI is not on the list.

Looks like it is a diversion to WRKK and some one else will have to slug it out 800 nm to YPDN. :kilroy:

Dangerousdave26
November 9th, 2009, 14:10
Well I don't know where my flight planner was earlier but the ranges I got before were all Wonked out.

I will just put this bird into WRKK and be done for the night

No more thinking

It has not been working out for me lately. :isadizzy:

Bry Rosier
November 9th, 2009, 15:15
Working Guidelines for Team Melrose.


• Pilots should limit their legs to manageable lengths. There is no need to restrict landings to the official "prepared airports" .


I think you were good to go to Australia early Dave :) Airports do not need to be "from the list" for Jimmy`s Moth

Dangerousdave26
November 9th, 2009, 15:30
Down and safe at WRKK

Milton Shupe
November 11th, 2009, 03:38
Thanks Dave for the push ...

I have the baton, WRKK to YPDN ... Tally HO!

Milton Shupe
November 11th, 2009, 07:37
Down and safe at Darwin YPDN ... the baton is free.

First half, quite boring; second half had lots of clouds and thunderstorms.

Bry Rosier
November 11th, 2009, 09:18
Nice work Milton , Jimmy reaches Australia :jump: An achievement in itself :ernae:

bpfowler
November 11th, 2009, 10:58
fans go wild at the ozzie Root Beer Saloons!!

jkcook28
November 11th, 2009, 16:56
Crikey! Moving on to YBMY.

jkcook28
November 11th, 2009, 18:42
Arrived @ YBMY

Kind of a dreary, grey day. Little grass strip in nowhere.

Dangerousdave26
November 12th, 2009, 12:29
Warming up the Puss Moth then we will be heading to...

Wait let me get my darts out :icon_lol:

And the lucky Winner is YBMA

Stay out of the tree tops here we come.

Dangerousdave26
November 12th, 2009, 17:59
TADA

Down and Safe

Milton Shupe
November 13th, 2009, 15:20
Okay, time for a long(er) haul, YBMA to YBCV Charleville ... 507nm at 108knots. :)

I have the baton.

Moses03
November 13th, 2009, 17:20
You long haul pilots are doing great! Was going to move Jimmy along this evening but just didn't have a 5 hr window.

Milton Shupe
November 13th, 2009, 18:10
Not a problem Moses ... got it covered. :)

Dangerousdave26
November 13th, 2009, 19:06
You long haul pilots are doing great! .

Long Haul??? :confused:

Them there are just baby steps. :icon_lol:

Milton Shupe
November 13th, 2009, 20:36
LOL Down and safe at YBCV. The baton is free. Winds were not kind.

Spookster67
November 13th, 2009, 23:56
You guys are doing great.:applause: Now, good luck with the estimation of the total flight time to Essenden!

Milton Shupe
November 14th, 2009, 02:44
Charleville to Essendon YMEN 682nm in 7:07:07

I have the baton

Milton Shupe
November 14th, 2009, 09:38
Down and safe in very foggy Melbourne ...

Now, where's Jimmy's Momma? :wiggle:

Bry Rosier
November 14th, 2009, 09:42
Waaahaaay Great Flying Milton and the Team :):applause::ernae:

MM
November 14th, 2009, 09:48
Well done Milton...and everyone concerned. The Puss Moth has proven a real delight. :cool:

Milton Shupe
November 14th, 2009, 10:00
Thanks to everyone who helped to commemorate C.J. Melrose and helped to push the dh-80a along the routes to Melbourne. It was indeed fun to be part of it and happy that our team could contribute the Puss Moth in time. :ernae:

donlimpio
November 14th, 2009, 10:24
Nice one Milton! And the rest of the team. It was fun to watch Jimmy move along. Hope he's still feeling well.
cheers
Olli

Moses03
November 14th, 2009, 11:15
Woohoo! :applause:

teson1
November 14th, 2009, 11:26
Welcome to Melbourne, Jimmy!
I think I have seen some nice girls heading your way, who want to hear everything about your flight.

bpfowler
November 15th, 2009, 17:06
Wild cheering at the Team Melrose Aussie Root Beer Saloon and General store! :guinness:
You guys really brought the baton home in style. :medals:
It was such a pleasure watching the plucky little plane battle the elements and make it!
How Jimmy did it without electricity in the plane is
Completely Beyond Me.

cheers mates,
brady

EdGeneer
November 16th, 2009, 18:34
Excellent job Gentlemen!!!! Great showing.... Many hours for that bird, and great job fro Milton putting that bird together before the race....

Cold drinks and pretty women for all!!!! :jump: :icon29:

:applause: Very Nice!!!