Around the world in 175 days.

[blanston12]

August 31st, 1924: The town of Ivigtut consisted “of a few men and women and about 150 Danish miners” (apparently the miners do not count as men), and billions of tiny biting gnats who Nelson described as “the most troublesome brutes you ever saw – worse even than tropical insects”. There were some repairs needed to the aircraft and Smith decided that since they had engines available they would replace them as a safety precaution. The work was done by the 28th but until the 31st that the navy was in position and the weather reports favorable for the 560 mile flight to Icy Tickle in Labrador, Canada. Ten minutes out they hit heavy fog that required them to stay low until they broke into clear skies after thirty minutes. Two hundred miles from Labrador they ran into head winds and Chicago’s fuel pump suddenly failed, a few minutes later the wind driven fuel pump failed also and oil started to leak out of the engine. Smith switched to the 58 gallon gravity feed reserve tank but that would only allow 2 hours of flying, he yelled at Arnold to start using the hand pump. He would pump for the next three hours, knowing staying airborne was his responsibility. After what seemed like a lifetime to both men, Richmond was sighted in the calm bay of Indian Harbor. It had taken them 6 hours and 55 minutes of flying to reach North America from Greenland.

For the next leg I will be using the Grumman HU-16 Albatross. The Albatross first flew in 1949 and was used as a search and rescue aircraft by the USAF, USN and USCG. Developed from the Mallard to be able to land in open ocean situations. At least 466 were built when production ended in 1961. The model I am using today was made by Virtavia and is nice. The weather for the flight was cloudy; 18 knot winds a temperature of -2.7C/27F and clouds starting at 3085 feet. I tried to find out more about ‘Icy Tickle’ but did not find much, helipaddy.com list an “Aerial Point of Interest” with reference to the world cruisers that allowed me to fix the location. I used ADE to create a simple seaplane airport at the location and got ready to fly.

Heading out over the Ocean, we had to drop to 2000 feet to stay under the clouds but it was a fairly uneventful flight and the Albatross had no problem despite the 25 knot cross wind that became a head wind. The 499 nm flight took just over 3 hours.

Here are the pics:


Ready to go.


Climbing out.


Heading to the coast.


Glamour shots.


Few more small islands then open ocean.


Clear finally.


Our destination with the cutter waiting.


Landed.

Thanks for reading.
ATB.

[blanston12]

September 2, 1924: Upon there return to North America they were greeted on the deck of Richmond by Admiral Magruder, commander of the Atlantic Scouting fleet who had a series of cables he read from General Patrick, Secretary of War Davis and President Coolidge all congratulating them on there achievement. They spent the next day preparing there planes for the next flight to Hawks Bay Newfoundland. In the afternoon Richmond left the harbor to be replaced by Milwaukee, where they would spend the night. Despite the fact that the weather reports were not favorable they left Icy Tickle around 11am. After three hours following the Newfoundland coast they ran into heavy fog, and as they always had they dropped to wave top level above the heavy swells, at one point they zoomed over a coastal steamer, missing its bridge by 30 feet. They passed many small fishing villages and were surprised to see the inhabitants waving at them. After nearly six hours of flying they landed in Hawkes bay where Ashburne was waiting for them.

October 2, 2017: I had planned on using the DHC3 Otter but the AH/FJ version is not out yet, I tried another payware version who I won’t name but after experimenting with it I can’t endorse it by using it here so instead I will again use the Grumman Albatross by Virtavia. Since I have been using Coast Guard cutters at all my seaplane ports I will use a USGC paint in their honor. The weather for this is Partly Cloudy with 10 knot winds, a temperature of 4C/40F and clouds starting at 3100 feet. We flew along the Labrador coast and down the west coast of Newfoundland to Hawkes bay and the town of Port au Choix and landed at its tiny airstrip. The 228nm flight took 1.5 hours.

Here are the pics:


Ready to go.


Climbing out of Icy Tickle.


Along the Labrador coast.


Tiny Islands.


Coast of Newfoundland.


The town of Port au Choix.


Looking back and my destination.


Secured.

Thanks for reading.
ATB.

[dfarrow]

Joe , well done on getting back to the correct '' Island '' . I've been surreptiously reading this log from the first ; now I'm hooked .
Remember the Douglas World Cruiser from when I was 7 . Was a chapter about the circumnavigation in 1924 ; in an aviation book my dad printed [ lithographer ] .
The flying , wx , a/c types , route and time taken must be challenging enough . But the research and detail , brings the adventure alive .

Thank you ,

Brgds dave f .

[blanston12]

Joe , well done on getting back to the correct '' Island '' . I've been surreptiously reading this log from the first ; now I'm hooked .
Remember the Douglas World Cruiser from when I was 7 . Was a chapter about the circumnavigation in 1924 ; in an aviation book my dad printed [ lithographer ] .
The flying , wx , a/c types , route and time taken must be challenging enough . But the research and detail , brings the adventure alive .

Thank you ,

Brgds dave f .

Thanks Dave, I am very glad you have been enjoying this. I know the way I am writing this does not lend itself to a lot of discussion, and I have done lots and lots of posts, but when I make a series of posts and nobody comments it can get discouraging, a comment like yours makes me eager to fly again!

[blanston12]

September 3, 1924: At dawn the weather at Hawkes Bay was discouraging but it cleared up quickly and they flyers were off by 11am for Pictou, Nova Scotia. Along the way they flew past Milwaukee, McFarland, Cogland and Richmond as they were sailing home. They were met by an aircraft from the RCAF who escorted them to the harbor, there they were greeted by a several American and Canadian destroyers all blowing there whistles and crowds of people along the waterfront waving. Also floating in the harbor was a Douglas World Cruiser labeled Boston II. At Lt Smiths suggestion, General Patrick ordered the prototype DWC prepared and flown to Nova Scotia so that Wade and Ogden could continue the flight. Smith also requested that there be no entertainments, receptions or escorts be arranged for them prior to the completion of there mission in Seattle. Despite that request they were placed into cars that joined a parade through town, taken to the park where short speeches given welcoming them to the town and finally to a hotel for a Lobster dinner and dance, a pattern that would continue for the rest of there trip.

October 5, 2017: For the next leg I will be using the North American, T-28C Trojan. The Trojan is a trainer used by the USAF and USN in the 1950's. Over 1900 were built between 1950 and 1957 and saw service in many countries in trainer and counter insurgency roles. The last was retired in 1994 but many continue to fly in civilian hands. The model I am using today is made by Ant's Aircraft and is one of my favorites, It's not released yet for V4 but I hope it will be soon.

The weather for the flight was clear, temperature of 3.3C/38F and 8 knot winds. It was an uneventful flight as we flow along the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia at about 2400 feet. I landed at Trenton Airport (closest to Pictou), flying 371 nm in 1.8 hours.

Here are the pics:


Ready to go.


Heading south.


Flying along the coast of Nova Scotia.


Glamour Shots.


The co-pilot looks happy.


Cruising.


Getting close to my destination.


Secured, look a welcoming committee.

Thanks for reading
ATB.

[blanston12]

September 5, 1924: The 4th was windy and rainy to fly, so they were treated noon concert of Bag Pipers and a lobster dinner on the Canadian Destroyer Patriot. The original plan was to go to St. John Newfoundland to refuel and then proceed to Boston, but Lt Smith disagreed and wanted to fly directly to Boston. They left the harbor of the 11:15 am flying along the coast of Nova Scotia in a rain squall but soon came into good weather. They passed St. John in good weather but soon ran into fog that got thicker as they flew on. They tried to climb over and under but no avail, after a few narrow scrapes with trees Smith decided getting to Boston when the city leaders expected was not worth the risk, just before they got to Portland Maine they turned back and headed inland finding a sheltered cove on Casco Bay near Mere Point Maine, they spent the night in cabins offered by local residents.

October 7, 2017: For the next flight I will be using the Douglas DC-6B. The DC-6 project started in 1944 as a lengthened and more powerful version of the DC-4 with a pressurized hull. After the war the design was reworked to compete with the Lockheed Constellation, it first flew in 1946 and 704 were built before production ended in 1958. The DC-6 was regarded by many as the ultimate piston-engine airliner from the standpoint of ruggedness, reliability, economical operation, and handling qualities. The model I am using is by JustFlight/Aeroplane Heaven and is one of my favorites. I have previously done RTW flights using this aircraft.

The weather for my flight was good, clear with 7 knot winds and a temperature of 9C/47F. They flight was uneventful, I flew at 4000 feet and landed at Brunswick Executive Airport (formerly NAS Brunswick, closest airport to Mere Point), the 329 mile flight took 1.6 hours.

Here are the pics


Ready to go.


Along the coast of Nova Scotia.


Selfie!


I hope she does not get board back there by herself.


Along the coast of Maine.


Lots of little Islands.


On final into Brunswick.


Secured.

Thanks for reading
ATB.

[blanston12]

September 6, 1924: The flyers had not seen a newspaper since they left Scotland and expected the same passing interest when they arrived as other record setting Air Service flights. They got fuel from commercial gas stations in Brunswick so they would have enough to make it to Boston without having to stop again. As they were waiting a flight of ten DH-4’s arrived overhead, wagging there wings in greeting, they had been flown north to escort them to Boston and were lead by General Patrick, chief of the Army Air Service. Smith held up a funnel and gas can to signal the reason for the delay. After circling for a while they DH-4’s headed to Old Orchard main to wait for them. They were in the air by noon and after an uneventful flight they arrived over Boston two hours later, there was a great crowd milling around the airport, fireboats spouted water, navy ships fired there guns and every boat was blowing its whistle in salute. The cruisers landed in the harbor while the escorts landed at the airport. There planes were lifted by crane onto the navy dock where the pontoons would be swapped for wheels for the last time. The six men signed the airport entry book and were taken by automobile to the state capitol, escorted by cavalry guard, where they were welcomed by the Governor, Mayor and other military and political officials, all who whom gave short speeches. As they were lead through the city, there were cheering crowds on every street they passed. They were finally taken to the Plaza hotel were an entire floor was reserved for them. That night they dined with General Patrick, the general posted guards so it would be a quiet affair.

October 7, 2017: To make a grand entrance into Boston I chose the North American F-100D. The North American F-100 Super Sabre was the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. 2294 were built between 1953 and 1959, it served with the USAF until 1972 and the last was retired in 1988. The Model I am using is by Milviz and it is nice.

It was foggy in Brunswick, 5 knot winds with a temperature of 16C/61F. Clouds were supposed to go up to 6000 feet so I climb up through it and proceed to Boston. The cloud thinned as I got closer to city and was able to make an easy landing at Logan Airport. They 103 mile flight took only 24 minutes.

Here are the pics.


Ready for takeoff.


Climbing through the fog.


Finally above it.


Glamour Shots.


Selfie!


Decending into Boston.


My destination is ahead.


Landed.

Thanks for reading.
ATB.

[blanston12]

On the 7th they were up at 4am to spend the day the exchange of pontoons for wheels, refueling and checking the planes for the next leg to Mitchell field on Long Island New York. A large crowd gathered but were kept away by solders and police. They were off at noon on a exceptionally clear day, they flew over New London Connecticut, Arnold's home town, and after passing Bridgeport they were joined by an escort of ten DH-4's carrying General Patrick, Senator Wadsworth of New York and Lt Nelsons Brother Gunnar. They flew over Manhattan, over the Statue of Liberty and then east to Mitchell field. A large crowd had gathered, the General and Senator landed first and the mob surged forward thinking they were the cruisers. The flyers had to circle overhead as solders cleared the field so they could land, as they taxied to a stop the crowd again broke through, it took great effort to prevent the souvenir hunters from cutting up the planes fabric. The Prince of Wales was escorted through the crowd and congratulated each flyer with a hand shake and said “Shall we settle our bets, Gentlemen”.

October 8, 2017: For the next leg I will be using the Fokker F-27 Friendship. The F-27 is a twin engine turboprop airliner made by the Dutch Fokker company. 586 were built between 1955 and 1987 and it was one of the most successful european airliners of the era. The model I am using is by JustFlight and is nice. The weather for my flight was cloudy, 7 knot winds with a temperature of 23C/73F and a cloud level of 2004 feet. The cloud level kept dropping on me and I ended up flying at around 800-1500 feet along the coast of Connecticut and up Long Island Sound. I flew over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty and turned left toward Long Island. Mitchell field is long gone so the closest airport so I instead landed at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, 9 miles east, my 146mn nm flight took just over 1 hour.

Here are the pics:


Ready for takeoff.


Heading out of Boston


Fall colors.


Long Island Sound.


The Big Apple.


Statue of Liberty flyby.


Looking back at the city as we head down Long Island.


Landed.

Thanks for reading
ATB.

[DaveG]

Great posts, keep them coming Joe.

[blanston12]

September 9, 1924: The three cruisers and there ten escorts left Mitchell at 9:30 am headed for Washington DC, and immediately ran into stiff head winds that slowed there ground speed to 35mph. They flew over Philadelphia and stopped at Aberdeen Maryland. As the short range DH-4’s refueled they were met by General Billy Mitchell, assistant chief of the air service.

October 9, 2017: For the next leg I will be using the Lockheed L-188 Electra. The L-188 was the first large American turboprop airliner, with its large flaps and high power to weight ratio it had short field performance unmatched by jet transports even today. Only 170 were built between 1957 and 1961 and was later developed into the even more successful P-3 Orion. I remember when I was small, PSA in California used Electra’s to fly into the Lake Tahoe airport in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Even though the airline had converted all its other routes to jets the Electra could better operate in the hight aititude and confinded spaces between the mountains and the airport. The model I am using was made by Team FS KBT and is excellent. The PSA repaint was by Fabio Cabral.

The weather started off foggy, 1.8 visibility with clouds extending to 6600 feet, 6 knot winds and a temperature of 22C/72F. To get over the clouds I tried to climb to 7000 feet and then 8000 feet as I made a direct course to the Aberdeen proving grounds. Eventually the clouds cleared a bit and I could descend to 4000 feet as I flew over Philadelphia. As descended down to 2000 feet as I got closer to the airport I got hit by fog again and had to go down to 800 feet so I could see anything. I finally came around and landed but it was far from pretty, but at least I was down safe. The 148 nm flight took 39 minutes.

Here are the pics:


Ready for takeoff.


Climbing out of Farmington.


Up above the clouds.


Starting to clear up.


Philli.


Following the Delaware.


Back into the fog.


Landed.

Thanks for reading.
ATB.