CSoul 182 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks Joe. Having spent some time around Winnipeg observing the ice road truckers doing their thing, getting stuck in ditches and failing miserably to catch any fish, I was ready to head south to (relatively) warmer climes. Watching Joe's stellar landing reminded me of my less than stellar driving and the horrid amount of damaged fenders I'd left behind, and I stared morosely at the only aircraft I had managed to rustle up for the leg - a Blackburn Buccaneer; an aircraft which always seems to bite me on landings. The old girl was painted suitably and beautifully but she was just that - old - and I would have to use her for both of my North American legs. But the mechanic ensured me all was well, the old girl's curves are still fetching enough to warm the heart, and so it was time to get going. Baton safely stowed I bid Edmonton farewell. Airborne and everybody, including me, is breathing a sigh of relief. Foggy and plenty of Cold War Era smoke but the weather forecast for Hector is good. But a few minutes later a problem pops up. The autopilot begins to fly in circles. I switch if off, check the heading, find no problem and switch it back on but get the same result. Prior experience leads me to the HSI and sure enough if has failed. However, it's not a serious problem and I press on, albeit nervously. There's not much to see to ease my nerves until we come to the South Saskatchewan river. Turn due east here and I'd eventually get to Winnipeg. A little further on and I come to Regina, capital of Saskatchewan province, barely visible through the fog. Nothing else has gone wrong and my nerves finally settle as the fog disappears and I reach the United States. Here passing over Devil's Lake with the airport in the background. No fog at Hector but the clouds have set in and I hear that the cloud base is quiet low. So it's head down and concentrate. Breaking through the bottom and there's Hector. There's still some low cloud about and I've got a few butterflies: the Bucc does not exactly turn on a dime. A break in the clouds and there's the airport. It's a touch bumpy and I've got a three knot tail-wind but the engines are good and there's enough height to glide in should something go wrong. Short final. No landings gremlins this time... ...until the three knot tail wind suddenly turns into a seven knot crosswind, slewing the aircraft sideways. I straighten her out but, as usual, the gremlins are dancing on the canopy and the Bucc begins to float. Result: I can't tell whether I'm on the ground or not. A good old fashioned thump and I get the message and throw out the anchor. Thankfully this was a naval aircraft designed for carrier landings, so the wheel stay on! But no greaser for me. I find a parking space, shut down, do some housekeeping and go off in search of some coffee. Strong coffee. Ahhhh, coffee. And donuts. And short runways to come. Over to you, Remington. Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Superb leg CSoul - where's the Bucc from? Looks like a nice model Link to post Share on other sites
GHAO 0 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 That Bucc is definitely my favourite RW aircraft - where did you get it? I once had that circling problem... only problem there was I'd left the computer for two hours, came back to find my 737 pretty much where I'd left it! Good shots, and good luck with your shorter runways! Link to post Share on other sites
mutley 4,498 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 A classic choice of aircraft Marcel. Super flight and a much better landing than you were building me up for! Well done and thanks for your flight Link to post Share on other sites
rosariomanzo 545 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Great shots and a really entertaining leg. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,316 Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Well done flight in less than favorable conditions. Any landing that doesn't need the call for the fire brigade is a good landing. Link to post Share on other sites
Kasper 14 Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Classic flight in a classic plane. Really like your screenshots, you can make the Buccaneer look good! Link to post Share on other sites
stu7708 244 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great leg Marcellus.. Love the landing shots, and that "Anchor" is massive isn't it... Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Godden 945 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Great flight with some fantastic pictures and a good story to boot, Marcellus. There is something about the lines of the Buccaneer and other aircraft of that era that still make them eye-catching today. As for the landing, you know what they say, "Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.". Cheers Andrew Link to post Share on other sites
CSoul 182 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Thank you for the kinds words! For those who asked, it's the UKMIL Buccaneer S2 Package. Link to post Share on other sites
remingtonbox 18 Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 Great trip! Buccs are really cool looking. Link to post Share on other sites
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