salt_air's "Side order of SW Pacific"

[salt_air]

Yeah, and a couple of those donuts there too .....


Passing right by here ... just east a bit ... on a "Solo Flight" around the world testing out a few navigational aids for Uncle Sam .. when orders come in over a shortwave connection:


Park the DC-3 at Santa Cruz [stop]
Find passage and report to Kairuku (KKU) on PNG [stop]
Assignment to test next generation transport [stop]
Will be making crucial drops during the test [stop]

The land of the Rising Sun is getting rowdy in that part of the world, beware [end]


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[salt_air]

Let's kick it off! KKU - AYPY


Just picked up the C54B ... taking off to first required airport.


Found a willing co-pilot on board the steamer that brought me and all the provisions here.

Should be decent company ... maybe she can even help out with the flying ...



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[salt_air]

Safe and sound Port Moresby ... I'll be starting here ... AYPY

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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...8FgkYNUAkgYHoM

[smilo]

ARRR,
watchout for them pirates, Salty.
they'll get yaz into big trouble
in the blink of an eye.

maybe one of these days,
i'll introduce you to my navigator, Heidi

[salt_air]

Yeah smilo ... they say she's pretty handy, but that hook she'a got for a right paw is startin' to worry me a little ...




Gettin' up quick over the hump to Girua for some breakfast ... sun dried bananas and coconut milk with tapioca roots on the side.

Who knows? ... could be good ... could make for some interesting flying too!




Out of Port Moresby for Girua in the Skymaster



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Gunship maybe, but no dive bomber ....


http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...4CmlEutKTfFURM

[PRB]

I see you made it over the Owen Stanley Range without leaving any C-54 bits on top of the hills. Good show!

[salt_air]

Thanks Paul! ... it was close and had to weave some



I'll get another leg up while the missus is a the store ...

What?






RWY 9 approach is a little tricky ... could be rough in low vis

Roller coastered in because of terrain and picked up a few seconds of the dreaded overspeed.

Better refresh this plane before next take off.



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[salt_air]

Makin' a morning move to Munda






Well .... maybe NOT!

Blue screen? ... haven't seen that in years

I'll have to start over .... not right now


What the ?

[nwgeiger]

I still have that happen from time to time. I hear with Windows 8 we will no longer have the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD) ...it will now be the black screen of death .

[salt_air]

Alright ... back in the bloomin' saddle.

See if this tired floozy will run now.



I've got ya blue screen of death right here:

3lb short handle maul on one side and a newegg catalog on the other ... giddyup!

[salt_air]

Down safe at checkpoint Charlie ... fuel, chow, and maybe some sleep before heading to Buka.


Decent weather ... decent winds ... played the fuel just a little too close ... not really necessary.



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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...QSQq8ZF5dhmwjQ

[salt_air]

Bound for Buka!


Chinese cabbage and bully beef over rice for breakfast.

Sheeze ... I wonder if could land this beast on a carrier? ...



Straight line between both points bisects the two small islands ... easy VFR ... as long as the visibility holds.

75NM range NDB at Buka ... no worries






Made it in some really great weather ...


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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...J2y4gumVb8UH4k

[salt_air]

off again ...




Another stop down ... post duenna and be movin' on


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[salt_air]

Hope the weather holds out ... off to Kavieng.



Down safe at AYKV ... pretty countryside out this way.

Gotta love these 150NM jaunts that have 75 NM range NDB's at each end of the flight.


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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...qmZyby6wpCXQGY

[salt_air]

Cape Gloucester before the dinner bell rings ... I hope.





Safe and sound ... almost back on the main island.

Glad to be out of that stretch of barrier islands from Munda to Kavieng.

Overspeed alley is what I call it ... Ahh the dinner bell!


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http://fs-duenna.com/flights/ShowFli...ngmtfAtpVu7ImA