Rodeo

[MM]

The Department of Commerce and the Civil Aeronautics Administration are sponsoring a trial event to demonstrate the importance of aviation for economic development in the Western United States. The newly-elected Dewey Administration is keen to show how the ingenuity of American business can bring prosperity to what Henry Luce has termed the "American Century." If all goes well, this test will provide the basis for a larger-scale competition.

This event will encourage aviation companies, from the United States and abroad, to show how they can manage commercial operations that will connect the cities of the West and surmount the obstacles of distance and terrain. The emphasis is on free competition, part of the new administration's commitment to open skies in the international arena. Thus, the contest, and the potentially lucrative air routes, are open to overseas carriers as well as small regional American companies. This decision has disappointed both the America-first conservatives of the party's Taft wing as well as the established domestic carriers who have long been protected by government subsidies and regulations. To even the playing field, each company will enter one DC-4 and fly a fixed route that connects Western cities located in the dry desolate deserts of the Southwest, the dangerous high altitudes and craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the heavy weather covering the Pacific Northwest. Safety and economy will be the standards of success as the world is watching to assess the potential of commercial aviation in the Post-War age.

Rumors are circulating about possible entrants. The Big Four are always likely participants, with United, American, and TWA already having extensive route experience in the region and Eastern always looking for more business. It seems that Western is very likely to defend its own turf. And expansion is on the minds of other regional airlines, including the crop-dusting southerners at Delta, the Floridians running National, Minnesotans at Northwest, Californians at Pacific Southwest, the bush pilots of Alaska Airlines, and the largest of the bunch, Washington's Capital Airlines. As ever, Pan American's Juan Trippe is eager to acquire a domestic routing system. The non-scheduled carriers are obvious candidates, including California Eastern, Overseas National, Riddle, Seaboard & Western, and Transocean. With their Dewey allies in office (and deregulation in the air) even Matson Navigation is interested in reinitiating luxurious airline service connecting Hawaii to the West Coast and the mainland network. And there are hints that national carriers such as Aerovias Brasil, Air France, Canadian Pacific, and KLM might take part as well.

(This is a more-or-less nightly "Flight 19" joint flying event on the SOH Multiplayer Server. Casual conversation is the norm. All are welcome.)

[MM]

Here's one entrant. Alaska Airlines wants to expand service to the lower 48.

[Willy]

From it's West Coast HQ at Oakland, Matson accepts the challenge and will be at LAX on the appointed day. And yes the inflight chef is part of the crew. (now where did we put that dining table?)

[PRB]

Heading south from KNUW, PAA accepts the challenge.

[Moses03]

Pan Am, pfftt. They always have to stick their nose in it. American Airlines will be there!

Enroute to LAX from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[PRB]

PAA UPDATE:

[Taco]

Western is ready, :salute:waiting at our home base in LAX.

Taco

[Dangerousdave26]

Great Lakes Airlines

Is going to try and be there. We might schedule it in but the Mechanic needs to do a few..

er modifications

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq63/Dangerousdave26/fs92010-09-1917-28-22-79.png


Bangity BANgity Bang Bang

"is that it?"

"Nope still too big"OH Boy say your prayers and stay out from in front of us.

[Willy]

From: Matson Lines
To: Pan Am Clipper Dreadnought

Subject: Smack talk

1. At least when Matson Lines aircraft arrive in Honolulu, it's with a full load of very satisfied passengers. Unlike certain other airlines who shall remain nameless, but think they own the ocean.

2. Matson has already sold out every seat for it's luxury air tour of the American West. However, we cordially invite the competition's flight crews for a special preflight dinner onboard our aircraft and served by our chef at our onboard dining table. Choice of red or white wine will be served with dinner which will include appetizers, filet mignon, Maine lobster amongst various side dishes and a baked alaska for dessert. RSVP only.

Captain, Matson Lines NC66777

Flew on down from Oakland to LAX for final preps for the "Rodeo".

[Willy]

Now that we've had a little fun with more to follow, let's get serious for a minute.

As MM said, all are welcome to join in. We fly on the SOH Flight Center server. www.sim-outhouse.net

Normally we try to get together around 9 Central, 10 Eastern, 7 on the West coast. Take off is usually about 30 to 40 mins later. We try to keep each flight to about an hour give or take. If someone has to leave early that's not a problem as real life comes first.

[Moses03]

Looks like we will kick off the event this Thur evening. All are welcome.:wavey:

[Willy]

Thinking about hopping into a Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA/aka Poor Sailor's Airline) tonite for a quick tour of the LA area airports before we leave out on the Rodeo tour. Long Beach, Burbank and anything else that looks big enough for a DC-4.

[Moses03]

Looks like some of the long distance ships have arrived...

[Willy]

Looks like we go shopping for airliners at the same airlines :d.

I didn't think there were that many paints out there for the JBK DC-4. But there's a bunch of them when you get to looking. I've been like a kid in a candystore.

[MM]

Willy mentioned serving Baked Alaska before the event. Well, the temperature in Phoenix is 102 this early Fall weekend. A little hotter on the tarmac.

[Willy]

Stopped by Denver - Stapleton with some of Maton's purchasing agents, setting up logistics for the flight. Got a good price on buffalo steaks.

Matson is advertising this as the "Great Western Tour". Instead of the Line's normal luxury flights to Hawaii, we're flying it like a cruise ship in the air, stopping at points of interest in the American West. Matson is not sparing any expense on this to demonstrate it's aircraft and flights as the most luxurious in the air.

[Willy]

Some of the passengers showed up a day early and as I had to make a test flight anyway, I just flew 'em on down to Tiajuana for a day's shopping. Taco and Maddog flew along as well. Figured while I'm down here, I'd get a full set of of those fancy Mexican tuck and roll leather seats put in while I'm waiting. Should look pretty good with the hand carved mahogany panels in the cabin.

Looking forward to the start of the trip tomorrow......

[Willy]

A great start to the trip! Things got a little crazy at LAX for me and I couldn't get out of town fast enough (pic 4). I got out of there so fast that I forgot to raise the flaps up that last notch and ended up getting a flaps overspeed that had me wondering if they were going to work at Las Vegas (pic 3). Apparently PRB had a guide book with him and was pointing out the interesting stuff as we flew over the California desert.

We got to Vegas all to soon and I was sure relieved that my flaps were actually working. After we landed, I got part of the postflight lineup (pic 2). And I took pic 4 for PRB after I got offline. He was on about Area 51 and Janet Airways... That's an Janet DC-4 behind me. :d


Pics are in reverse order. The forum software does that at times.....

[Taco]

Here are snap shots of the DC-4s line up at LAX, and two of Western's DC-4 climbing over the Angeles Crest Mountain Range.

[Willy]

Borrowed an old biplane from a German buddy who hangs out on the strip (as much time as he spends in the casinos it's a wonder he still has it) and while my passengers were spending the day taking Vegas, I went up and got a few shots.

More pics to follow....

[Willy]

I kept looking for the Sands on the way to Fremont St but didn't spot it on the way out. After several passes on Fremont with it's train station, I headed back and spotted the Sands, so I did a little lower pass on it to answer Moses's question from yesterday.... "Who's playing at the Sands?". The answer, Frankie and the Rat Pack!

[Willy]

Borrowed another biplane and headed out over the desert for some more sightseeing. Found this airbase out in the middle of nowhere near Groom Lake and took a few pics before some fighters showed up and chased me off.

Amazing the stuff you find near Vegas!

[PRB]

Got only one good kodak of yesterday's kickoff flight. Somewhere east of LA, in the Mojave Desert. Since I had a full fuel load, my DC-4 was lagging behind the "main body" a bit...

[Moses03]

We pressed on to the greater Phoenix area. Nice flight over some spectacular desert scenery.

[Willy]

Nice flight from Vegas to Phoenix. Now that we're in his territory, we've got a scheme. We're going over to Lionheart's place to party. Get him drunk and have him make a Lockheed 18 Lodestar :icon_eek: :d

[PRB]

A fun filled flight to Phoenix followed our Las Vegas leg. The desert is fun to fly over. The did cross over the Hualapai Mountains about half way from Vegas to Phoenix. That's in the pic where the dirt gets pretty darned close to the bottom of the plane. At 9000 feet we crossed the ridge line with plenty of room to spare. Maybe even 200 feet.

[Taco]

Ah.....shucks, forgot to load the bloody film in the magic box!

[Willy]

We had a real nice shortish flight from Phoenix to Tucson. We flew over what we figured must have been the Arizona Tea factory enroute. Next stop Albuquerque (unless we make that left turn).

[Moses03]

Couple of shots from the flight to Tucson- including one of that mysterious C-124 that was shadowing us.

[PRB]

Plane went down for engines at Phoenix. Towed her into the hangar to get some modifications done, then flew over to Tuscon.

[Willy]

Kind of a longish flight for us from Tucson to Albuquerque. But still had a good time with a fun flight.

[Taco]

Rgr. on being a long flight, but we all made it to Albuquerque. Real neat got to fly near my home in New Mexico. Scenery of the parked DC-4s is from Calclassic 1959.

[Willy]

We left Albuquerque for Pueblo, Colorado. Due to DC-4s being unpressurized, we had to find our ways through the San Juan mountains after flying over the Rio Grande Rift. Had a great time.

[Moses03]

Pretty much a milk run from Pueblo to Cheyenne. Rockies to the left and plains to the right.

The PSA ship didn't fare too well however. She slammed her nose wheel down and collapsed it, wiping the smile right off the nose. The PSA public relations guy on hand was livid.

[Willy]

Nice flight to Cheyenne. Although I had a couple of small minor problems at the end. It was getting dark on me and I couldn't make out the runways, the lights at the end. So I guessed wrong at which rwy to land on and had to dodge a water tower on short final. Just before the I got to the fence, they turned the airport lights on. Then I had to wander in the semi darkness to find the parking spot. But it sure was a pretty sunset.

[PRB]

Got a couple of reasonable kodaks across the plains of eastern Colorado on the way to Cheyenne. Looks like we're headed back into the hills on the next leg!

[Willy]

Crossed the Rockies again going from Cheyenne (KCYS) to Grand Junction CO (KGJT). I was trying to keep from going much over 12,000ft as the DC-4 is unpressurized and eventually found a long valley going through the mountains to Grand Junction. But in doing so, I got separated from the flight and ended up approaching the airport from the opposited end that they were. So, I lined up with the taxiway and landed there, and drifted off onto the ramp to keep from hitting the aircraft that were parked on the taxiway. A typical Flight 19 performance....

[PRB]

A fun filled flight, as Willy said. It would seem we are back amid the dry country. Pretty scenery to fly over.

[MM]

A few more snaps. It started as a busy day at Cheyenne, with (a) seven Skymasters waiting for clearance. (From left to right, Moses, Willy, MM, Taco, PRB, MDK, and vW.) Then an ascent to 12,000 hoping to skim over the tops of the ridges. Flying is a challenge, especially near the edge of the air (b). Most emphatically, this is beautiful ski country in the high Rockies (c) with green forests and snow packed peaks covering the horizon. Eventually, the terrain descended into more of a southwestern scrub brush pocked with ravines and canyons (d) as we made our way into Grand Junction. Lovely country.

[MM]

Great night flight into KSLC. On landing, we decided to stick close to the pilot from Western Air Lines as he knows the best bars in Salt Lake City.

[Moses03]

Few snaps (out of order of course) from the night flight. Or as Willy probably called it, the "night fright".

[PRB]

Fun filled night flight into Salt Lake City. Most of the kodaks came out a little dark...

[Willy]

Great fun flight where we couldn't see a darn thing. I know I was pretty close to some mountaintops a few times there. As the flight crew missed the in-flight movie, I treated them at the local Drive In after the pasengers were off loaded $2 a carload

[Taco]

Rgr. Fun night flight. Here are a couple of snaps of Flight 19, of course, they are out of order. The first one. Flight 19 at KSLC. Second one is of Flight 19 waiting for departure at KGJT.

[Willy]

Great flight to Jackson Hole. This mountain flying is fun.

[Moses03]

Yup, nice weather into Jackson Hole. Landed first and watched the others come in. Great fun.

[Taco]

Howdy folks,

Here are a few photos of Western's DC-4 on last nights flight. Of course, they are mixed up. Climbing out of KSLC was a pistol, and it was a wonder that we didn't blow a cly. or two. The last picture taken was as we were parked next to Moses's American DC-4 watching Willy and vW proceeding to the parking area. After parking Dudley and I got out and started to check the plane for any hole from spears. There was some talk about some spear chucken Yetis as we crossed over the mountain, but no holes. I think I was just sold the keys to the pitcher boxs...! hehe.

Taco

[Moses03]

Really nice relaxing flight from Jackson Hole to Helena, MT. The clear weather has been fortunate for our venture. We found a pass in the mountains not too long after takeoff that got us on a direct course.

vW was along for a while but then had to veer off to Bozeman to visit relatives.

[Taco]

Howdy:salute:

A real nice flight from Jackson Hole to Helena, and extra nice weather. Sure a lot different than the normal weather trends that Flight 19 is use to! Some snaps shots of last night flight.

[Willy]

Great flight from Helena Montana to Spokane Washington. Nothing like flying along in the mountains and running into thick fog. Fortunately it cleared before we got to Spokane.

[Taco]

Here are a few photos of last nights flight. Rgr on the fog, when it cleared I was facing one great big rock pile!

[Willy]

Another great flight this time from Spokane to Seattle (KSEA). It got a little foggy on us flying over the mountains, but Seattle was fairly clear so that worked out.

[Willy]

We flew from SeaTac to Portland via Mt Ranier and Mt St Helens. And I got a planeload of pictures. Enough that this'll take multiple posts. First the trip to Mt Ranier.......

[Willy]

Mt Rainier to Mt St Helens......

[PRB]

Had a great flight from Seattle (KSEA) to Portland (KPDX). We did some volcanic sight seeing along the way, getting good views of Hood and Adams, and great views of Rainier and St. Helens.

[Willy]

And finally, on into Portland.

[Taco]

:salute:Wow! What a very nice flight from Seattle to Portland. We did get a little off track by going closer to Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens, but what the heck the passengers enjoyed the sight seeing tour.

[Taco]

:salute:Oops, not done yet. More pictures of the flight.:kilroy:

[MM]

A few additional Kodaks. (a) Mt. Ranier from Sea-Tac's runway, (b) log-covered Spirit Lake preceding Mt. St. Helens and her blown crown, (c) approaching Portland over the Columbia, and (d) the Portland terminal with Mt. Hood in the distance.

[PRB]

Great flight up the Columbia River from Portland to KPDT, Pendleton, OR. When we got there we managed to catch a glimpse of the latest from the SOH Skunk Works, the top secret P-61, conducting flight testing. Very exciting!

[Willy]

A fun flight up the Columbia River Gorge to Pendleton OR. Although the last few minutes of it got pretty exciting for me. Seems my carbs iced up and my engines started sputtering on short final. And seconds before I was going to touchdown, all 4 engines decided they'd call it a day and quit. Kind of a rough landing. I kept messing with them and managed to get them started back up so I could taxi to the ramp, but they were sure smoking and running rough. Guess I'll have to get the line mechanics to look at them before we take off again....

Darnit! I just found out that we just missed the 100th Annual Pendleton Roundup.

[Taco]

:salute:Here are some snap shots of our flight from Portland to Pendleton, as usual we went crazy shooting pictures. Sure hated missing the 100th annual Pendleton Roundup, Shucks, had my boots polished, and had bought a new hat, oh well, there is plenty of head room in the DC-4 cockpit so I can wear it while fllying. So I will be a drug store cowboy!

[Taco]

Here are a couple more photos from the flight. I sure didn't get to see the top secret P-61 from Shunk works. Must be time to get the old eye checked!

[MM]

Some more photos of Shooting the Gorge with Taco, Willy and PRB...in the nimble Douglas aerobatics.

[Willy]

Headed on farther east to Boise. Great flight with good friends.

[MM]

Great to be joined by SrG in the DC-4's big Douglas brother, the Globemaster.

[Willy]

Interesting flight for me tonite.

First, when I took off, I rotated too early, got airborne and was going gear up when it stalled and did a belly flopper on the runway, bounced back up into the air and then flew like nothing happened. Had me wondering if the gear was going to work on landing.

Then the server burped and bumped me off. No biggie that just a tad aggravating.

After that I did a good one. I was scooting in my chair to get more comfortable and my foot slipped. When it did, it hit the computor tower right on the power button and shut it down. I couldn't do that again if I tried.

After I got back up and online, I warped back into formation and the rest of the flight went pretty well.

[Willy]

Final flight of this adventure. Reno to San Francisco. We had a great time and MM did an excellent job with the itinerary. Moses did great with the Real Engine gauges for the DC-4 as well.

We're kicking ideas around for the next one and hope it'll be as good as this one was....

[Dangerousdave26]

Sorry I missed it. I just got back home last night. Looks like it was a nice series of flights.

[Willy]

Sorry I missed it. I just got back home last night. Looks like it was a nice series of flights.

We're thinking low and slow with biplanes next....

[Taco]

:salute:Hi Everybody,

Well, the Rodeo event is over, and it has been a barrel of monkey of fun. A big thanks to all! Pictures: The last takeoff, and the journey ends.:kilroy:

[Dangerousdave26]

We're thinking low and slow with biplanes next....

Great Idea

I vote we recreate Tom Seleck's Trip in the movie High Road To China

[Taco]

Hey DD, wow that sounds like a good one!

[Willy]

Sounds like a good trip in a Stearman.

[Taco]

Just a question, does anyone have any idea what route they took in The High Road to China, and what type of aircraft were they flying. Been a long time since I seen that picture.

jim

[PRB]

Best I can tell, they flew from "London to China." The London end is fine. The China end is a bit non-specific at best... :icon_lol: It was based "loosely" on a novel by Jon Cleary, according to the all knowing and all seeing Wikipedia.

[Willy]

London to China is a long haul in a biplane.

[PRB]

I just read another review that said it was Turkey to China. IMDB/Wiki says the movie starts with the heroine is living in Istanbul, but fly from London. Unknown. Have to watch the movie, I guess.

[Willy]

Never saw it myself. Might have to find it.

[Dangerousdave26]

I have been trying to find information on the route for awhile without actually having the movie.

It was one of those movies I really liked when I saw it but I don't think it was a box office smash.

From IMDB


Trivia

The biplanes, Dorothy and Lillian, are French-built Stampes, which were built after WW II. Actual Stampes were civilian aircraft without armament. This explains the high mounting positions of the Lewis guns. See more (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085678/trivia) » I found these repaints for a Stampe

FS2004 (ACOF) - FS2004 Early Aircraft FS2004/FSX Stampe
[ Download (http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=148487) | View (http://www.flightsim.com/zview.php?cm=list&fid=148487) ]
Name: stampe_hrtchina_2txtrs.zip (http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=148487) Size: 12,353,431 Date: 07-24-2010 Downloads: 448
http://www.flightsim.com/p/stampe_hrtchina_2txtrs.gif FS2004/FSX Stampe. Textures only and panel 2D-VC for Stampe RSV4. Includes two textures (red and blue) for the Stampe RSV4 of Eric Dantes, constructed with FSDSv2. Thanks also to Alayn Gourio by texture of Stampe classic (STAMPE11.ZIP (http://www.flightsim.com/file.php?cm=SEARCH1&fsec=0&fname=STAMPE11.ZIP)). The textures are film version wood prop, with 2D panel and VC of "High Road To China" (1983). By Enrique Medal.

It flies well enough but yes it is slow. Slower than the Puss Moth. :icon_lol:

[Taco]

Howdy all,

Just thinking if we fly The High Road to China where there are those Warlord who like to shoot at any old folks I think I will pick a plane that can shoot back with a ratty-tat-tat.

jim

[Willy]

Yep, the Fokker D.VII is looking better now...

[Kowalski65]

Best I can tell, they flew from "London to China." The London end is fine. The China end is a bit non-specific at best.

IMDB says it's Istanbul>Iraq>Afghanistan>Nepal>Sinkinag Province in China.a long way.I havent seen the film, there might be a shot of the planes moving across a map(there usually is LOL)