NdegePaul,
Me too! I’ve been trying to find a (larger) CAP 407 logbook but alas, as yet no luck.
If you do manage to source one, I’d appreciate being pointed in the right direction.
Ndege.
NdegeWhat fabulous, beautiful photographs.They’ve thoroughly brightened my new years day, In 2008, I flew a J3 on floats from Vermont to Oshkosh. It put adventure back into aviation that I hadn’t experienced in many years.
Although the US isn’t my home, the land and the people encountered on the way were spectacular; I’m not slick enough with a camera to capture the beauty of it all as these photos have done
Ever since I’ve harbored a secret plan to spend the first summer after I retire from the airlines, just drifting across the US in a J3. Who knows, when the summer turns to Autumn perhaps I’ll ship it on, in a box to Australia.
After seeing these inspirational pics I’m determined; it’s got to happen!
Happy New Year to one and all
Ndege.
NdegeThank you for your replies, I do indeed have the serial no. and loads of other details, but would to trace it’s full service history: things like who flew it and when, was it damaged by flak/fighters etc.
I apologise for not replying sooner, got summoned to work and fooud the work laptop excluded this and all other forums.
Now, down to work….
Ndege.
NdegePaulC,
Certainly did. The 44 that Conroy converted was remarkably clean. The dreamlifter reminded me of what a flight engineer I used to know would have called a dockyard job.
I’d loved to have had a chat to the crew, and learned more about how it flies etc., but they were not forthcoming, and didn’t seem to want to talk.
Everyone else at Oshkosh I found great, charming, friendly, and very welcoming.
The SPB is a little jewel, with as you say, a very different atmosphere.
Ndege.
p.s a review from someone on how to post piccies would be a great help.
NdegeDreamliner:
world’s biggest homebuilt?
Not as pretty as the Conroy bulit 44 Guppy that I flew in my youth.
It was due at the show on the Monday afternoon, but arrived a little late. In keeping with the whole 787 program!
I’ll post some Seaplane photos when I get home next week, but as someone has already said, the Oshkosh experience is addictive. I can’t wait for next year.
Ndege.
NdegeAirventure 2008: what a spectacle! I LOVED it! Incredibly, so did my wife who came with me, and who has NO interest in aeroplanes. People wonderful, so welcoming, and friendly. We met and chatted to all sorts.
Arrived home in England this morning, having left OSH very reluctantly. Everyone who said 2 days is not enough was absolutely RIGHT!
Flying a J3 Cub on straight floats was an odyssey – fabulous fun, but humbling and at times very difficult. The 15 hours of flying that it took, taught me more about flying than I could have believed. After 20,000 hours, I thought I was beginning to get the hang of it until that little Cub humbled me somewhat.
Flying across the US, non-radio, with a sectional on my lap was an unbelievable experience. It’s what flying is all about. The countryside through Canada and the US that we flew over was dramatic, stunning, breathtaking, and just spectacular. The trip was not without drama, and the support and help of individuals on the way was something to behold, and treasure.
I will write an account of it, but I have to apologise to everyone who knows me in advance: it was such an adventure, I’m likely to boast about, and become utterly boring it for years to come! It will take me a while to collect my thoughts, and collate it all though.
I checked over the J3 yesterday evening, pumped her floats dry one last time, before setting off for Chicago, and my flight back to England. Someone else wil take her home. Saying goodbye left me with a lump in my throat – I couldn’t believe it!
A huge thank you to everyone on this thread who offered suggestions on how to enjoy OSH, especially Dan, the tbyguy.
Ndege.
NdegeThis Finch I’ve got to see! I’ll come and look out for your aeroplane.
The trip from Vt. is something I’m really excited about, and has been in planning for ages. Even Mme. Ndege who is coming too, is excited about the trip although largely because she has been told of magnificent shopping nearby!
tbyguy,
I’ll look up the 390th, and learn about them. The Liberty Belle is here in England at present, and I believe is touring East Anglia today. I drove past Duxford on the way home recently, and saw her there.
Off to work now, then heading for the US, counting down the days to OSH!
Ndege.
Ndegetbyguy,
Once again, thanks for your reply. I’d wondered why I couldn’t see Aluminum overcast in the show line-up, now I understand.
When I’ve met the veterans of the 398th, they have always impressed me. Sadly they are now all too old to come back to Nuthampstead. It delights me no end to know that the EAA’s B17 commemorates their role, and their bravery.
“Roster swap denied” has come back from crew control. Thus only the first 2 days at the show for me. What I’ve already learned from my research is this: I’ve got to go again next year!
I’ll look out for you at lunch – 10:45 at the church-run-stall!
Kwaheri,
Ndege.
Ndegetbyguy,
Many thanks for your informative reply: making the Thursday evening party will depend on a roster swap request I presently have in hand. If successful, I’ll see you there. If not, its back to blighty from ORD before the end of the show for me.
I’ve avidly studied everything I can get my hands on, and I’ve even been sent a copy of th Airventure notam that the EAA produce. As we’ll be heading for the SPB, I’ve been google-earthing just about the whole of Wisconsin, and have a pretty good idea of what it should look like. The people running the SPB website have already ( very helpfully ) answered several questions!
We are possibly camping out at the SPB, but have a lead on a room in a house that a pal rents each year. I’m told it is worth it for the air-conditioning and showers alone! Following your advice, I’ve already looked out the insect repellant.
Is the EAA museum open during the show? Also, I’ve a notion I’d like to see their B17 – Aluminum overcast, as she is painted up to represent a B17 from Nuthampstead. I presently fly a 172 from there occassionally, and once flew some of the 398th bomb wing guys around during a reunion trip over here.
Meanwhile, counting down the days. Heading for the US at the weekend.
I’ll be back with more questions when I think of them!
Ndege.
NdegeI’m going, hope to be there ( wether permitting ) for the first 2 days of the show, then sadly back home. At work again on August the first.
Means of getting there? Mme. Ndege and I are flying a J3S ( Cub on floats ) from Vermont.
I simply cannot wait. Any tips on how to get the best out of the show whilst there would be hugely appreciated.
Cheers,
Ndege.
NdegeMaybe it wasn’t the radio altimeter they were using to determine absolute height.
I believe what this is alluding to is pressure pattern flying, to determine where the winds were.
On those old weather radars, was there not a return that was evident at the bottom of the screen caused by a side lobe pointing straight down toward the earth’s surface?
I seem to recall that if you slected a short range on the set, with the scanner tilt angle set to zero, you could relate the ring to the range scale and it became a crude measure of absolute height. By referring to it occasionally, marking it’s position with with say a chinagraph, and seeing if it showed a climb/descent you would be able to determine the change in atmospheric pressure in the area you were flying in, by comparing it with your 1013 standard setting.
Very crude, but effective, and usable above the 2500ft. limit of the rad. alt.
Of course I could be talking a load of tosh…….
Nevetheless, El Al, did do some pretty impressive flying with their Britannia fleet. I also believe they felt they were held back from getting it into service as BOAC had to be the first, and in corporation style, were dragging their feet.
Ndege.
NdegeMorning Folks!
Someone has already mentioned Hajo Hermann’s book ” Eagle’s Wings ” in which he talks about flying the navalised version of the Bf 109.
The book is remarkable, an incredible read, and a stunning insight.
I seem to recall he also refers to the naval version having more in the way of blind flying instrumentation, as the Kriegsmarine fliegers were cleary going to need a greater ability to fly in poor weather/challenging visibilty and over featureless oceans than their Lutwaffe counterparts.
He also goes on to suggest that the regular Luftwaffe 109s were not equipped for IF, the pilot’s were therefore not trained, and did not even have much night-flying experience or training.
He used this as an argument to acquire the navalised 109s and their use by bomber pilots in the ” wilde sau ” operations. Once their supply was exhausted, ( I think there were only 40 to begin with ) Herman’s units acquired FW 190s.
Though guilty of thread drift, I really commend “Eagle’s Wings” Every time I land at Kefallinia or Zakinthos, the chapter about his raid on the harbour at Athens come to mind.
Why, I think I’ll even re-read it myself!
Ndege.
NdegeSetter,
Just came across this website, and your website whilst researching the story of the Halifax flight to Aus.
Do you know if Geoffrey Wickner is still alive?
Ndege.
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