Leg 9. Honningsvag ENHV to Kubinka Z25S

[reef 3]

Afternoon chaps.

Well it seems were well into another fantastic ATWC and must admit it could not have gotten off to a better start. Both the enthusiasm and quality of posts is as good if not better than all thats gone before. I had not intended to fly as it seemed to fill fast and would of been happy to let others go. However one or two slots remained unwanted so as i often do on the ATWC, put on my flying goggles and did my best to make the most of the flight.

In this case the flight was over 1000 Miles from the top of Norway to Moscow. Quite an easy flight for most in one of todays airliners but thats too easy. As always i searched for some scenery (Not speaking russian does not help) and plotted a route. Here i made a big mistake as unlike here in the UK, the Russians like to mix it up a bit. So what i thought was a reasonably straight run to Moscow took on a life of its own ending up with my flying 4000 Miles, 4 times what it should of been. To give an example, Tolmachevo airport is not in the town of Tolmachevo, its in Novosibirisk. Or, 1710 miles from where i thought it was. Its a bit like us calling an airport in Manchester, Newcastle airport.

Anyway my new, longer route was finally laid down and here are a few of the shots. Sorry if you have a 56k modem

Map 1. Getting to Russia.

Leg.1

Flight. Honningsvag (Norway) to Vadso (Norway)

Distance. 107 Miles.

Aircraft. C-130 Hercules.

Operator. Royal Norweigan Air Force.

Leg.2

Flight. Vadso (Norway) to Severomorsk (Russia)

Distance. 112 Miles.

Aircraft. Antonov An-2.

Operator. Amur.

Leg.3

Flight. Sveromorsk to Archangel

Distance. 370 Miles.

Aircraft. Mig-25 "FOXBAT" 2 seater.

Operator. Soviet Airforce.

Map 2. The Russian Saga.

Leg.4

Flight. Archangel to Khanty-Mansiysk.

Distance. 926 Miles.

Aircraft. Boeing 737-500.

Operator. S7 Siberia Airlines.

Leg.5

Flight. Khanty-Mansiysk to Nizhnevartovsk

Distance. 255 Miles.

Aircraft. Antonov AN-25 RV.

Operator. UT Air.

Leg.6

Flight. Nizhnevartovsk to Novosibirsk.

Distance. 468 Miles.

Aircraft. Li-2 (Russian Built DC-3)

Operator. Aeroflot.

Leg.7

Flight. Novosibirsk to Yekateringburg.

Distance. 872 Miles.

Aircraft. ERJ-145LR

Operator. Dniproavia.

Leg.8

Flight. Yekateringburg to Vnukovo.

Distance. 900 Miles.

Aircraft. Boeing 767-300.

Operator. Aerosvit.

Leg.9

Flight. Vnukovo to Kubinka via Moscow.

Distance 16 Miles.

Aircraft. Yakovlev Yak-3

Operator. Privately owned.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

:clap: Bravo Steve! Well done on your own 'Mini Tour'!

I'd just like to ask - where are the A/C from?

:dance2: :good

[mutley 4,498]

Steve,

I just can't take all this is in in one go!

I am going to have to read this post several times before I can collect my jaw from off the carpet.

Speak soon.

[grth_bbtt 0]

every single shot is just amazing!

[rosariomanzo 545]

Steve, that's absolutely oustanding, breathtaking... I have no words... I have already scrolled up and down the post two times...

Some shots look so real! And what a wonderful atmosphere!!

Will look at this post again and again.

Ciao!

[rob16584 42]

:clap: :dance2:

Absolutely stunning post Steve. The 2nd foxbat shot and the flaring shot with the ERJ-145 are the stand outs from the bunch in my opinion. Please fly more full flights and post them! A great range of aircraft, and a new angle to approach the challenge by flying multiple legs for one leg.

[CyprusAirwaysA330 0]

Amzing posting . This is going to be very hard to follow up. :dance2:

[reef 3]

Thanks for the responses guys, all appreciated very much. I've been flying this since i got the flight so not that hard to put together actually getting finished in the yak this morning. The edits themselves mostly took less than a minute each. With so many to do i was not going crazy on them. Crop, border, some lighting in curves and thats about it for the majority.

The aircraft were C-130, Yak-3 by Captainsim. 737 was Wilco. ERJ and 767 are Posky. AN-25 is Samdim. AN-2 is freeware i forget the maker. Fox bat is Free Alphasim oh and a default DC-3 painted as a Li-2.

Rob, its not so much a new way to approach the ATWC, i did this in the last ATWC right up Finland but is fun if time consuming.

Cyprus Airways, the object of the ATWC is to get the batton to where it needs to be. We all have our own way be it flying by the book, humour, adventure, edited shots or just a flight from A to B. All the posts so far have been great and i don't doubt yours will not be the same. Look forward to it

Cheers again guys...

steve

[vacs007 0]

There are no amount of words I can find that even begin to discribe this post Steve, but I will attempt to take a stab at it.

Firstly, the total flight inspires me.

Secondly, the commentary had me believing I was there with you, wow man awsome.

Lastly, those screen shots, here is where I get stuck. This is undoubtly the most increadible screen shot post I have ever seen in all my time of surfing the web and looking at FS screenies. Sorry but I can not but help myself, but this mind blowing :roll: :dance2: :clap:

[Axel 0]

:good :clap:

Fantastic Leg! You have really raised the bar for ATWC.

[mutley 4,498]

Hi Steve,

I had a decent chance to view your flights this morning. Remind me to add in an extra 3k to our distance travelled!

Obviously a lot of planning and a lot of time has gone in to this post and an area not covered in the last challenge was well and truly explored by you!

The maps were really useful, you managed to find more interesting locations, excellent.

The first image of the Herc is classic with only the tail showing! The rest of this leg looks so real even down to how low the sun remain throughout. Good job on the take off there, that shot was so simple and effective. Love the reflection on the last shot.

The An-2 was an inspired choice. So photogenic, the final approach shot I am still trying to work out if it is a composite as the scenery is spot on! The chap in the house must have been swilling the Vodka to remain that calm!

First image of the Mig looks very intimidating, the semi silhouette sees to that. These shots are very dramatic especially as she was thundering out. I love the font used on this set too.

Ah, the 737-500, that's not a good livery colour to be looking at first thing in the morning (after a Saturday night!) Again the scenery is excellent and must have taken some finding. I have often been on avsim.ru looking for stuff! Lovely approach and landing sir!

Leg 5, The AN-25 is a new one to me, looks similar to a Fokker 50, I'm sure that didn't influence them! Great shots of the cruise but surpassed again by the approach and landing shots. That snow is horrid to fly in so you did a good job. In the last few we can really get the feel for the cold.

Good to see you took an overnight here

Great introduction shot to the Li-2. She looks beautiful! Another wonderful selection of shots, the sunrise shot and the final approach shot stands out for me. She was obviously good for her 468 mile trip.

Leg 7,

This one has the most stunning weather shots! From the murky hold shot with the 154 flashing by to the descent. The flaring shot at the end, brilliant! Just get Dai to cut that grass.

767-300, another big boy just for the small baton! First 2 shots again difficult to distinguish from real, love that row of trees in the background. Great in flight shots, really getting a feel for the speed and height. Love that turning final shot.

Final leg - Yak-3

I have this fantastic model but have never shown it off as good as this. Glad to see your flying skills did not go to waste with that impromptu show over Moscow I was worried about the baton falling out!

The final,final shot rounded off this multi-faceted post of excellently.

Thanks again Steve for your contribution here, first class sir!

Cheers

[fighterpilot 0]

Great set of shots Steve, I really enjoyed looking at your shots, I really like that you edit them all.

[reef 3]

These responses make it well worth the effort. Only too happy you guys enjoyed this set of flights and was enjoyable to fly them. Agree with the color of the 737 Joe, not good after a night of the good stuff. Oh and no composite, just FSX doing a good job, was a nice supprise having never flown there before.

Thanks again guys

steve

[CaptHill 0]

Quite simply the greatest single flight simulator screenshot post i have ever seen. I take my hat firmly off to you sir.

CaptHill

[wisemanp 0]

Steve,

I have only just had a chance to properly view and digest this post, and boy was it worth the wait!

In every single shot I can see details and special efforts you've made. The commentary is superb, and this epic journey-within-a-journey had me gripped.

However, as there were so many sections, I'm going to have to pick out a favorite, and I'm going to have to go for the Li-2. Those shots simply blew me away.

Once again, I can only echo everyone else's comments of Bravo Sir, mindblowingly good job! :wink: :mrhappy: :wacky:

[1mag1n3 0]

Absolutely breathtaking.

You should be proud of yourself.

:good :good :good :good :good

[reef 3]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed the ride :???:

steve

[rob16584 42]

I've just been re-reading this post (again) and I think it must be the best ever ATWC post. Are you taking part this year Steve?

[mutley 4,498]

I've just been re-reading this post (again) and I think it must be the best ever ATWC post. Are you taking part this year Steve?

I did write to Steve before we started but never got a reply so I guess the answer is no

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Sad to hear that!