ddavid 149 Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Leg 79: Brazzaville, Congo - Maya-Maya (FCBB) To Lagos, Nigeria - Murtala Muhammed (DNMM) Let's go back a few decades, to the nineteen sixties, when the ex-Belgian Congo was in turmoil. It's early morning at Maya-Maya, Brazzaville's international airport and we see the Africa correspondant for the Daily Telegraph drinking tea at the bar in the departure lounge. A young local furtively sits down next to him and says: Are you the Mr Smith from London that is travelling to Lagos today? Our man nods - and the local passes him a small, cylindrical package. What's this? You must take this with you and give it to our D.G.O.R. representative when you reach Murtala Muhammed airport Mr Smith looks at the package.... What's in it? And what on earth is this D.G.O.R. stuff about? The local just shrugs his shoulders and disappears into the crowd and the package slides into Mr Smith's briefcase, along with his notes on the situation in Brazzaville. Last call for flight SA301 to Lagos and Brussels - boarding now at gate three.... Our Mr Smith joins the queue for the Sabena flight.... Some thirty minutes later, the Boeing 707-320 is pushing back: Pierre, the co-pilot, is just confirming the flight plan with his boss, Captain Henri Mesurier. Shall I do the honours, Captain? D'accord, Pierre - go ahead... Mesdames e Messieurs - Ladies an' Gentlemen, bienvenue a notre vol pour Lagos - welcome to our flight to Lagos..... The B707 is taxi-ing to the active: All checks complete, and we're ready to roll.... Cabin staff to your seats - we have clearance to take-off.... Captain Messurier eases the aircraft into the air: Our young local friend waves goodbye to the mysterious package...... Tidying up, with Brazzaville behind: Take over, Pierre - I'll say a few words to the passengers. Good morning, everyone, this is Captain Messurier. I do hope you are enjoying your flight - we will be serving refreshments in a few minutes, when we reach cruising height. Right now you can see the Congo River on the port side..... On the flight deck, Pierre is maintaining a westerly course, almost parallel with the Congo River: And, 45 minutes into the flight, we are passing Pointe Noire airfield, now an important holiday resort as well as the main seaport to the Congo: VOR 1, Captain - course change to 336 degrees. ..... Plus ca change, Pierre!: After the crew have had their lunch, the island of São Tomé comes into view: Nigerian coast ahead, Captain - do you wish to take the helm? D'accorde, Pierre - check the main cabin and thank the purser for our refreshments..... And Captain Messurier takes us over the delta: He brings the Boeing down gently: And we're back to earth, in Lagos, Nigeria: I see the new radar has been installed, Captain Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated until the cabin staff are ready for you to leave the aircraft. On behalf of Sabena, the crew and I would like to thank you for travelling with us today. Our Mr Smith reaches for his brief-case, and wonders whether the D.G.O.R. agent will be waiting for him.... He is in fact watching the dis-embarkation from the control tower: And so another leg in the ATWC is completed - and the mysterious package passed onto the next member of the team. Thanks for viewing, I apologise that this leg hasn't been as hair-brained as some previous offerings (Wait for Leg 88! - Ed). I trust you enjoyed the flight and I look forward to helping the Baton on its way in future..... Cheers - Dai. Link to post Share on other sites
A320cap 0 Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Nice shots but I am not very keen on that aircraft model. I prefer the Captainsim one Link to post Share on other sites
dgor 0 Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Just what we've come to expect from you Dai, really fantastic shots - I especially love number 5! - and a brilliant commentary to go along. As always an original choice of aircraft and a great storyline too. Well done, another classic! Dave Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Dai, Those are some of you best shots to date really love those take off shots..... and what a smooth flight that was, smoother than a Smooths Snakes smooth bits :mrhappy: Nice shots but I am not very keen on that aircraft model. I prefer the Captainsim one Panos, Dai is a real trooper, he will put up with anything for the sake of the Hangar Was there a reason why you change you name to Mr Smith for this adventure? Thanks Dai for getting us to Lagos. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Very nice, Dai. I like the touch of intrigue. There's always room for more intrigue on the ATWC. We need to decipher just just what this D.G.O.R. acronym is all about. I understand there's a move afoot for Norn Iron to break away and form the Democratic Gaelic Orange Republic. Could that be it? No, probably not. As one who's old enough to have made a few trips in the venerable 707 (but never with Sabena), it's always nice to see the old girl. Those flower petal exhaust shrouds were an early attempt at noise reduction. I guess they didn't work. Great flight and very good shots. I like the climb-out shot with the airport in the background. Also the panel shot. Nice to see those steam gauges. :mrhappy: John EDIT: Culture gap alert.... Smooths Snakes smooth bits Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 EDIT: Culture gap alert.... Smooths Snakes smooth bits I wouldn't imagine anyone knows what I am on about John :mrhappy: Just emphasising the word smooth How about silkier then a Silk Worm's silky bits? Sorry Dai, back on topic! Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted November 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 No, this is interesting, Joe! Let's see: Smooth as the inside of a velvet glove..... Smooth as the head on a pint of irish Guiness...... Smooth as tide polished pebble.... (sounds of yawning off, so I'll stop) BTW, John - Mut wrote - Smooths Snakes smooth bits This should read: "Smooth's (a) Snake's smooth bits" Which, as any fule kno', translates as: Smooth as a Snakes smooth bits... Right, sorted that out - now for more feedback... (Sorry, that's it! Ed) Cheers - Dai. :mrhappy: Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Sorry Dai, badly written, I'm not at my best at that time of night, no wonder John was confused :mrhappy: Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
allardjd 1,853 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 no wonder John was confused I'm often confused, but not about about Dai's post, which was smooth as a baby's...bum, I believe is the term you use over there. Please, someone save this thread by making another actual comment about the flight. John Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 Who made the aircraft?. Still, nicely done in Flight Simulator X. Love the shots! hurricanemk1c Link to post Share on other sites
reef 3 Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Great flight and story, some people here really do make an effort for the ATWC. Good show! steve Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 We all do in our own way Steve, Vive la difference!! Link to post Share on other sites
ddavid 149 Posted January 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Who made the aircraft?. hurricanemk1c The B-707 is from the Historic Jetliners Group website, here; http://www.simviation.com/hjg/main.htm Just follow the download link to the desired A/C. Most models fly O.K. in FSX, even though they're mostly FS2004, but be careful with the panels, they can be tricky.... And thanks again for your comments. Cheers - Dai. :mrhappy: Link to post Share on other sites
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