Roberts flight across the Pacific

[robert41]

Let's see what this baby can do. AGGT to AGGA.

[robert41]

Safe at Auki. AGGA.

[robert41]

Well, not too bad, speedwise. Having a good quartering tailwind helps. Still stormy weather. Came in a bit high and fast. Had to go around the field to get down and slow down.
Here is a shot up at 20000ft.

[robert41]

AGGA to AGGF.

[salt_air]

Hope you and the Zero have a great trip Robert!!


Nice screenie .... no shortage of clouds.


:wavey:

[robert41]

Thanks Austin. Plenty of weather around here.
Safe at AGGF.
Had to restart the flight due to computer issues.
Nice short rough flight.

[robert41]

Heading for Rekata Bay.
AGGF to AGGV.

[robert41]

Safe at AGGV.

[robert41]

At Suavanau. Which did not exist back then. Rekata Bay was only a Japanese seaplane base.

[robert41]

Heading for Munda. AGGV to AGGM.

[robert41]

Safe at AGGM.

[robert41]

High up over the Slot.

[robert41]

On to Ballalae. AGGM to AGGE.

[MM]

Looks like we've got the Reisen coming and going!

[robert41]

Yes we do Mike. Your early version, my later version.

[robert41]

Safe at Ballalae. AGGE.

[robert41]

Over Vella Lavella.

[robert41]

Early start to Buka. AGGE to AYBK.

[robert41]

Safe at AYBK.

[robert41]

Good flight. Partly cloudy. Nice tail wind.
Over Bougainville.

[robert41]

On to the Feni Islands. AYBK to MKO.

[robert41]

Safe at MKO.

[robert41]

Nice short flight. Small tail winds. A bit rougher air.
Passing by the Green Islands. A small Japanese base.
Approaching Malekolon.

[robert41]

Heading for Rabaul. MKO to AYTK.

[robert41]

Safe at Rabaul. AYTK.

[robert41]

Short flight with light clouds, a small crosswind.
Approaching Rabaul. Huge Japanese base.

[robert41]

Heading out. AYTK to JCB.

[robert41]

Safe at Jacquinot Bay. JCB.

[robert41]

Weather becoming clear. Light winds every which way.
Approaching Jacquinot Bay.

[robert41]

Could not get on SOH to post the start. JCB to GSP.

Safe at Gusap. GSP.

[robert41]

By far the most interesting flight so far.
Started out nice and clear.
So much for the clear.
Passing Rooke Island on the right. Should be on course.
Through the hills. Now which way to go.
Lucky to turn the right way and find Gusap.

[robert41]

GSP to HFD.

[robert41]

Safe at HFD.

[robert41]

Good flight. Weather was clear at Gusap, then a few clouds for the first half of the flight. Then clear again. With a nice quartering tail wind.

[robert41]

Heading for Biak. HFD to WABB.

[robert41]

Safe at WABB.

[robert41]

Clear but hazy weather. Had a good tail wind for the first half hour. Then quartering.
Early start at Hayfield.
Approaching Geelvink Bay.
Approaching the Biak.

[robert41]

Heading for Sorong. WABB to WA1A.

[robert41]

Safe at WA1A.

[robert41]

Clear weather once again.
Approaching the Vogelkop Peninsula. With the Japanese base Manokwari below.
On final at Sorong.

[robert41]

WA1A to WAMH.

[robert41]

Safe at Naha. WAMH.

[robert41]

Uneventful flight. Clear weather and a crosswind all the way.
Near Morotai.

[robert41]

Heading for the finish line. WAMH to RP17.

[robert41]

Made it to Malita. RP17. And the finish. Not without some excitement.

[robert41]

Weather started out clear. Had a cross/head wind to push all the way. Then approaching Mindanao, came the t storms. Descending into it, just by luck seeing Malita.

[MM]

Congratulations Robert. Excellent to see the Zero (A6M5 division) in action!
We can add another mark to Jiro Horikoshi's list of accomplishments.

[robert41]

Thanks Mike. She was a pretty good ship. A couple of surprises with the weather on this adventure. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. Now to find some drinking stuff.

[PRB]

Good flight, Robert-san!