Kasper 14 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 "You're late." Sharon was not amused and she made sure I knew that. I guess that pilots running around with other women during HER event didn't sit right with her. And now I was late and she was angry. "Are you still looking to expand into SAR and Firefighting?" she asked. I grew quiet. She knew I had a signed contract for providing just that and that I was in dire need for some assets to cover the contract. The stipulated penalties would bankrupt me If I did not come up with the goods from January 1st 2014. And I still had to buy the planes, probably certify them for the US and Canada and hire crew to fly them. So yes I was still looking to expand. "I am." I said cautiously. I was not sure if Sharon would bite my head off or help me in her current temper. But luckily she still has a soft spot for me and she decide to help. "There is a company selling a B-29 in flying condition, I thought it would make a nice airtanker." Would it ever! I jumped across the room and gave her a big hug. "You're saving my hide once again Sharon, I don't know how to repay you." But she had already figured out that part. "The plane is at the Virgin Islands. You fly me there for a paid holiday and I'll call it even." A B-29 ready for flight! It was a no brainer and now here I am at Henry E Rohlsen looking at what will be the next addition to my fleet. I complete and working and in flying order B-29. I had to take care not to drool! The beautiful lines of a bomber. It will from now on stop fires instead of starting them The test flight was already planned. I would fly to E.T. Joshua on Saint Vincent to meet with Kieran who I thought would be interested in the B-29. There I would take over the Baton and fly it to St. George. Only I would use all flight segments to try out different planes for sale in the Caribbean. This region is a paradise for used planes if you know what you are looking for. An imposing sight The flight in the B-29 to St. Vincent was great. The plane behaved like you would expect with 4 of those big radial engines. I had to correct her constantly by applying rudder and even after the short flight I could feel my legs. Landing this beast was not a trivial thing even with experience in her descendants: the 377 and Pregnant Guppy. I made a hard landing and just have to hope I did not break anything. Kieran came looking alright. Probably to look at what idiot mishandled this classic plane so badly but he was sure interested in taking a look inside. He then left me with the Baton and went back to the hotel to catch up on some reading. Ough! I could feel that one in my spine - a lot! After securing the plane I went to the hotel to, I wanted to rest before my flying schedule of the following day. A fine sight A Bell 47 in MASH colours The first leg was a short flight to J.F. Mitchell which I used to check out a Bell 47 in medevac configuration. Weather had changed and there was a stiff breeze and a lot of rain. Perfect conditions to check a helicopter intended for use as SAR and medevac platform! Rain or shine - the Bell 47 does its job The flight went without any incident a landing the nimble Bell was easy, even in these adverse conditions. The little Bell does everything you aks of it Next up was a Lama in rescue configuration. I took it to the next stop at Mustique while performing simulated rescue operations. The weather had improved a little. At least it was now not raining. A very useful chopper After having some fun with the Aerospatiale it was time for another Bell helicopter, the Huey. I always loved both the 47 and the UH-1 so this was shaping up to be a great day! A classic in flight The Huey was an ex German Army SAR chopper and I intend to use it in the same configuration so I only had to check out the airframe. If it was any good I would take it to Alaska with me. The helicopter checked out fine. I was now the virtual new owner of a B-29, a Lama and a Huey. The Bell 47 did fly fabulous but it's just to small and light to be of much use in the north. The Huey is easy to handle and can be put exactly where you want it! After setting down the Huey at Canouan it was time to enter one of the biggest helicopters I have ever flown. The Ericson AirCrane. The Air Crane came complete with Retardant Water Tank and was perfect for my needs. It was a quite a hand full to fly. But I got use to its temper and I could certainly see how useful it would be. The next addition to the fleet. Very big and very effective - I want one! Not going to stop there I took the chance to fly in one of the oldest helicopters for sale: the H21. I took this one for a spin from Union I. Intl to Lauriston. I had a great time flying it. A real classic piston engined chopper! The weather was still fairly good but it was clear this was an old machine and the view from the cockpit is just not suited for SAR duties. Beautiful but not up to SAR missions in the north For the last leg I took another old favorite of mine the Lockheed Hudson with SAR equipment. This was a former New Zealand plane and obviously very well taken care off. But at the end of the day it just can't compete with the more modern choppers which I already committed to buying. So with a sad feeling I left it at St. Georges. The Beautiful Hudson in flight The day ended as it started - in a rain storm. I took the Baton with me to the airport hotel to get some rest. I was gutted from flying the whole day. But what a day! I made a mental note to buy Sharon something to thank her for arranging all this. Now I just had to wait for Rob to pick up the Baton and I would be back to the B-29 to fly her off to Alaska. Although I might make a stop en route. I hear there is a DC-8 for sale! 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ddavid 149 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 By Golly - more helicopters than you can shake a stick at! Pity you didn't like the 'Flying Banana' - plenty of room inside and she floats, too! Thanks for a great PIREP, Kasper. Cheers - Dai. Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Bravo Kasper, that's a lot of skilful flying! Superb PIREP, after all those heli's, my favourite is the Hudson!! Cheers, Joe Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Godden 943 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Kasper, Excellent PIREP. My head is stll spinning from all those whirligigs. Cheers Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
jaydor 345 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Variety is the spice of life, but that was a complete fleet for a feat of engineering marvels.. Loved them all and the plot keeps getting better as we travel forth.. Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,315 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 What a day you had, to much fun for one person. Great selection of transport, the Huey is my favorite but they all had me jealous that I didn't get to fly them. Super PIREP Kasper!! Link to post Share on other sites
DaveLeafNiles 0 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Nicely done, Kasper! Loved the choices of the vintage choppers and airplanes. That B29 looks like it could use a home in my AH fleet LOL (I wonder what the cargo cap is?). Really enjoyed the PIREP Kind regards, Dave Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Nice one, great selection of eggbeaters and crisp shots. Well done! Link to post Share on other sites
J G 927 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 I picked up this PIREP in Madrid with my mate Bill, en-route to Quito for leg 15. Great post, Bill loved the rotary wing aircraft, having just retired from flying SAR in the UK himself. Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Bill loved the rotary wing aircraft, having just retired from flying SAR in the UK himself. Would that be Captain Wales? Great set of flights, Kasper. Really enjoyed the B-29. May have to get the H21 just to steal gauges out of the panel. John Link to post Share on other sites
Kasper 14 Posted November 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Thanks guys. Glad you liked it. I had fun finding a way to use a lot of different transports in the shortest leg of this section. @John, the H21 is a freeware chopper I got from Rikoooo. http://www.rikoooo.com/en/downloads/viewcategory/19 Link to post Share on other sites
rob16584 42 Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Excellent PIREP Kasper! Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted November 3, 2013 Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Superb PIREP Kasper - was wondering what the inside of a B-29 was like! And after my landing in the VC-10, that was smooth! Link to post Share on other sites
Kasper 14 Posted November 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2013 Kieran, some screenshots: I actually quite like it. I changed the prop textures for those of the 377, added cockpitsounds and use accufeel and now it is a pretty good plane. Just need to figure the settings for real engine and add that. She is a keeper in my virtual hangar Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Now Kasper, like I told you in Lelystad, that was a great PIREP.. Love the fact that you managed to turn a 75 nm leg into such an adventure and while I can't manage those egg beaters on my own in the sim I do enjoy seeing them.. that Bell 47 is a real classic, and the Huey is a real favorite for me.. Job well done, and it was very nice meeting you over the weekend. Link to post Share on other sites
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