hurricanemk1c 195 Posted March 1, 2015 Report Share Posted March 1, 2015 A little late, but hey ho. So, J G is stuck in the clink with the baton. Where does that leave the challenge? A little negotiation was required.... No-one wanted to go to Ukraine to help John escpae, but I was volunteered to do the job. First off, getting into the country. Unlike John, I flew commercial into the country and was able to enter the country easily. Next stop was the Embassy, which after several days of patient negotiation, John was allowed to see me in a neutral environment, complete with Baton. On the way to the hotel where we would meet, a lady appeared and spoke to me. It was the welcome return of Sharon, who has proved no trouble to me. But this time, it appeared she would have problems for me. She thrust a piece of paper into my hand and told me to read it. It read as follows: Required: Demolition expert to knock wall down at unused prison. Pay very good. Any method accepted. Call by 42 Katerynyns ka Street by 1600 28/2/15 Obviously this notice was in Ukrainian but translated by Sharon for me. She urged me to do so, seemingly knowing something I didn't. I pushed it out of my mind for the minute, as I had to retrive the Baton. John was still going on about a Number 4 when I got there. He was under very heavy guard to ensure I didn't pass him anything or he escaped. Two big Ukrainian guys who looked like they could dig their way to Australia in a day. Very scary. Baton retrived (and John in reasonable health it has to be said), I walked back to my own hotel. Sharon once again appeared and nearly dragged me to the address above. It wasn't a pleasant experience, being dragged through the streets of a foreign city by someone you knew only a little. Anyway, the house appeared with an equal guard to John's at the door. Very ominious. Sharon spoke fluent Ukrainian to the men, explaining I was here about the advert. They allowed us access into the main enterance, where we were to wait. We were there quite some time, enough to wonder whether this was a set up. After about 3 hours, a Ukrainian Air Force General appeared and beckoned us into his office. Quite what the Air Force had to do with a demolition job I was about to find out. Turns out they want to test the air defence system of Simferopol. The target would be the wall and I was to drop two 500 lb bombs, just enough to open it out. Then they would try and blow me out of the sky. "Virtually" he laughed. I was very uneasy at this last statement. It was up to me what aircraft and what route to choose and even what time / day to do it on. This was a full military exercise obviously! We were deposited back at the hotel for the night. With the Baton in hand, I was anxious to get out of Simferopol as soon as possible, so chose that night to attack. My aircraft? Sharon came out trumps. a de Havilland Mosquito FB. IV - perfect. The only problem would be that it was fit for flying in Ukraine but not in Turkey so an altered plan was required. Commerical to Kars it would be. Don't worry - I have official documentation showing a full legal contract with the Ukrainian Government for this exercise! Made sure of that and was independantly verified Sharon quickly left me at the aircraft, making an excuse for going. I would where she went? Start Up Take off in the black night Fast and low, the mantra of the RAF in the Cold War became my mantra as I skimmed the sea tops A convoy was very suprised to see a Mosquito climb over the bridge before dropping back down Over the target. I thought this was 'friendly' flak? A few pings off the aircraft made me drive harder Heading down to the target wall. Very menacing searchlights probe around for the wooden aircraft My view heading down. Flak was flying around but no Surface to Air Missiles. Prehaps this was 'virtually' shooting at me, as the General said? Bang. Target destroyed And safely back at the base with quite a few holes in the coverings and wings I woke up the next morning just in time to race down to the airfield to get THY 146, a special flight to Kars Pushback was granted quickly and with the baton in my bag, we head off Ready for take-off The RJ100, despite being quite a large aircraft, still has a very good performance Climbing out A few minutes later and at 10,000 ft we cross over the airfield again Climbing away from Ukraine Well established into the cruise for this two hour flight Turkey ahead Turning for Kars A 737-800 crosses 4,000ft above us Heading downhill now, worryingly into the mountain range below. Nothing but mountains ahead Turning for ILS intercept Airport in sight, gear down and locked Nearly there Just touching down As the Avro RJ series don't have thrust reversers, braking is by spoilers and wheel brakes. Hence the massive barn door brakes at the back. Very Victor-like Heading for the ramp with a de Havilland Canada Dash-8 already there Parked up I left the aircraft in the capable hands of the ground crew So, where is John? By all accounts he is still inside. We'll just have to wait around. And where is Sharon? First part: IL-2: 1946 with 633 Squadron misison pack Second part: Default FSX with Quality Wings 146 Ultimate Collection Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Coffee 2,030 Posted March 1, 2015 Report Share Posted March 1, 2015 Great start Kieran! I am very surprised JG was allowed to keep the baton in jail...was it hidden? Did you bring hand sanitizer just in case? Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 You don't want to know Matt, regardless of what answer you get I fear it will fall in to the category "To much information" Kieran, thanks for "volunteering" for this mission, well done. Fingers crossed John wasn't to shaken by the blast... And the pilots at Turkish Airlines seem to be better at handling the intricate FMC of the AVRO than our esteemed leader (for those that missed it take a look at leg 18 of ATWC IV while I seek out some shelter from the incoming FLAK out of Southampton ) Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,497 Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Bravo Chuck, you the man! A superb PIREP, good to see you arrived safely with the baton intact, could you give it a good scrub before handing over? Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce (a.k.a. brian747) 142 Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Well done, Kieran, especially taking into account the need for your dealings with various dubious characters (not to mention "Jailbird John"!). Great PIREP — no one messes with the Mutley team, right? Cheers, Bruce a.k.a. brian747 Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Thanks folks. Matt - it wasn't hidden, but hands were washed a lot after! Mikael - the FMC is very easy to use.......... Joe - I'll leave that to John! Brian - there'a a lot more coming! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,314 Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Very brave of you to recover the baton, hope the visitor pat downs weren't to horrible. Well done leg Kieran, it was a blast. Link to post Share on other sites
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