RTW Retro Flight #114 Manchester to London Gatwick . . . 1961

Overseas Aviation flight OY-501 is a Vickers Viking 1A on a flight from Manchester to London Gatwick (EGCC - EGKK). We have 300 gallons of fuel on board for the 154 nm flight of about one hour and fifteen minutes. We have good weather with light cloud cover overhead for the entire flight. We will be cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet.

Thanks to:

Aircraft: Vickers Viking 1A. The FSDS2 model and original textures are by Rick Piper. The Overseas Aviation paint is by Garry Russell.

Propliner AI & Traffic: CalClassic & FS Aviator - Tom Gibson, Mike Stevens, Jason Krogmann, Manuel Jagmann, Bill Towers, Nikko Yaginuma, Richard Wright, Frederick Coleman, Dave Jones, Paul Haak, Marty Lochmiller, Ake Lindberg, Harland Sandberg, Richard Wright and Gary Harper. At www.calclassic.com

Scenery and Add-ons: MS FS2004 v9.1, MS Windows 7 Pro and:

- Manchester airport is by David Maltby and Tom Gibson. At www.calclassic.com

- Coventry Aerodrome 1950s is by Peter Larkham.

- London Gatwick airport is by Nikko Yaginuma and Tom Gibson. Beta tested by Harry Biard, Jaap de Baare, Wolfgang Gersch and Tom Gibson. At www.calclassic.com

- Overseas Aviation timetable for 1961 from the collection of Michael Dawes at www.timetableimages.com

- Rwy12 and EZ Static Object and Scenery Libraries at www.flightsim.com.

- FS2004 Classic Scenery Libraries v4a by Wolfgang Gersch at www.flightsim.com

- REX FS9 w/Overdrive & SP5.

- Flight One Ground Environment Pro II

- FS Genesis UT Europe.

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1. Overseas Aviation timetable for 1961 (modified).

2. Flight plan filed, passengers boarded, cockpit checks completed and starting number 1.

3. Taxiing out to runway 24 for departure.

4. Wheels off the runway.

5. The gear is up and we are turning on course for London.

6. Climbing through 1,500 feet heading into clouds and rain.

7. Passing 3,000 feet in storm clouds and moderate rain.

8. Cruising at 5,000 feet near the town of Leek in and out of the storm.

9. About 30 nm from Manchester the storm is becoming stronger and more turbulent.

10. Fifty five nm out of Manchester the storm continues to strengthen and East Midlands Control advises us to divert to Coventry.

More in the reply . . . . . . . . .

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11. We have contacted Coventry and have been given initial approach instructions as we begin to descend.

12. Continuing to descend we are below the dark, heavy cloud cover as we turn toward Coventry.

13. Now at 2,000 feet on the downwind of our approach.

14. Turning off the base leg to intersect the approach to runway 6 at Coventry.

15. About five nm out we see the runway and begin to line up our approach with gear down and flaps 20.

16. Lined up and descending on short final with full flaps.

17. Touchdown.

18. Turning off the runway and heading to the terminal.

19. Looks like we have a TEA Bristol 170 Freighter for company.

20. Parked, systems powered down and passengers disembarked and being served soup and sandwiches. We will continue our flight to London Gatwick when the storm subsides.

Larry - Great aircraft and storyline to go with it! I like the looks of the Vickers!

Rick :cool:

Love it Larry, fantastic mate.

Col.

such a nice chubby aircraft.

Indeed, I like these retro flights

Hey Larry,

It's always a joy to view one of your flights!! So much effort and research to make them correct for their era!!

Thanks so much!!

Michael

On your first screenshot Larry, the name Manchester on the tower, I went working in 2 floors down from that facing the runway, it was a great view, I retired about 6 months later.

Prior to that I worked on the apron then went indoors, the only view of the aircraft was on CCTV or if we wondered outside, then got transferred to the tower office, I was glad to leave by then anyway after nearly 34 years there.

Col.

First class and topnotch again Larry. i really like the Overseas Livery on the Viking (I have also a DC-4 with the same livery) The Manchester scenery is one of the best from the whole series I think. Very well done again:cool::cool::cool:

Btw, I was also busy with a Viking:

Leaving Antwerp to Southend with an "Independent"one.

Edit: what's the livery on the parked A1 307?

Your comments are appreciated David, Gerard, Rick, Col., John, JK, Michael and Jan. We will get to Gatwick eventually. :)

Col. that is a lot of years at the Manchester Airport. It must have been quite an experience.

Jan, I like your Independent. I believe the livery on the 307 is Airnautic.