Royal India Mail

[Willy]

Headed back to the coast through the mountains and thunderstorms. Great time was had by all.

[PRB]

Couple kodaks from the previous flight. We flew through some thunderstorms, but the wings stayed glued on.

[salt_air]

Wish I'd seen this sooner........

Just fished this ol' Curtiss out of the treetops up in the Poconos....prolly needs to be painted, but it runs just like new.


Attachment 22855

[PRB]

We made it to VAGO almost without incident!

[Willy]

Had problems with the Boeing and found this pretty little yellow and black aeroplane at the local swap and shop. The guy there said it's perfectly safe and there was room behind the seat for the mailbag, so I took it. It is a bit touchy on landing though.....

[Dangerousdave26]

Yesterday's flight was a good one but somebody decided to bring out the big guns.

That P-61 looks like it could swallow this Ansaldo whole.

[Willy]

We flew on back across the Ghat Mountains. The Gee Bee is flying good at this slower pace, but landings are tricky with it as always. I bounced the heck out of it and had to go full throttle to take back off so I could try it again. Landed great the second time, but the engine died so it was probably a good thing I didn't have to go full throttle again.

[Moses03]

Not too many photos on my end so far. Who wants to see the default Tri-motor anyways?

Here is one from the other night on approach to VAGO.

[Willy]

We headed across the mountains again this time to Bombay at the old airport there. Real weather went a bit crazy on us there with a almost 0 vis fog, but we managed to get it reset before we got to the airport. One thing about this flight was that the Fokkers outnumbered everyone else.

[Willy]

Left Bombay for the diamond center of Surat. Great flight in the thick fog.

[Moses03]

Good to be back in the saddle again. Caught up with the main group for the hop to VABV Surat. Figged up something fierce along the way but no incidents to report.

[PRB]

A couple more kodaks on the road to Surat.

[Taco]

Here are a few snaps taken from last nights flight.

[MM]

The Royal India Mail authorities have insisted that we carry more packages. Apparently the "express letter" contest is being won by one GeeBee driver. He seems to impress by speed and style.

Happily, I was able to find a previously-owned de Havilland Dragon Rapide. Managed to brush out the Railway Service advertising and penciled in a few lines for the Indian judges.
http://www.mediafire.com/?m7ey80xtbl8bj4b

[Willy]

With the new Royal India Air Mail directive on packages, I ripped the seat out, piled up some packages on the floor and am using the mailbag for a cushion.

Pretty good flight in thick smog most of the way. When we got to Ahmenabad, we parked next to what looks to be the local drive in. At least it looks like one with that smokestack for the grill on top.

[jkcook28]

With the new Royal India Air Mail directive on packages, I ripped the seat out, piled up some packages on the floor and am using the mailbag for a cushion.

Pretty good flight in thick smog most of the way. When we got to Ahmenabad, we parked next to what looks to be the local drive in. At least it looks like one with that smokestack for the grill on top.

hehe, looks like I bellied in the Howard against a Taco Bell. Gotta find an elephant and go looking for an aircraft...

[MM]

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

[Moses03]

Typical flight to Jodhpur....nice at first then heavy fig. The Mono Boeing seemed to work out well. Good trade for the Ford.

[Willy]

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]

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.

[Willy]

Just purred along from Jodhpur to Jaipur.

Nice flight and got a few pics this time.

[PRB]

couple more kodaks on the road to Jaipur.

[jkcook28]

Just me Paul and Willy tonight.

Real wx...I don't think so. 1/16mi.

and 2 enroutes. Cool!

[Willy]

Yep, 1/16 mile visibility wasn't at all appealing. Great flight even with the "foo fighter" at the end. At least he was entertaining.

[Willy]

We left Agra for Lucknow with a flyover of the Taj Mahal. Good flight although my landing did get a bit "interesting"......