Rodger Pettichord Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Hi all. This week's topic is provided by Ken Q. So, without further ado, Here's Ken. Flying around in our SIM (or in real life) we fly to, from, and through and over many places that have an interesting history. Just in California, for example, there are places that recall high points of the history of aviation, territorial exploration, westward migration and the gold rush. The rest of the U.S., Australia, and Europe all have stories to tell. So this week's topic: Where have you flown (in the SIM or in real life) that has a story that particularly interests you, and in two or three words, what is the story. (A couple of words will do, but feel free to put in as much detail as you like). Example: Truckee Airport, KTRK, Donner Party. (This will suffice, but you may add more) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Abernathy Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 KPVF Placerville, CA 49er Gold Rush 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wain71 Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 LXGB- Gibraltar- early 80's first ever flight- C130..... 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adambar Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 My very first flight was on a TWA Connie from Pittsburgh to Chicago on my way to Navy boot camp. My most exciting flight was from San Francisco to Hawaii, very scenic and turbulent. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John York Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 This is about my wife. I hope it qualifies. At the end of the 2nd. world war my wife was liberated from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The Americans parachuted in and laid link mats for a rough runway. Then a huge 4 engine bomber landed on this runway and as many ex-prisoners as possible were piled in sitting on the floor while it took off and landed in Shanghai to let them off and continue their journey by land. Finally, my wife and her family made their way to Hong Kong and they sailed home to Britain. 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodger Pettichord Posted November 4, 2022 Author Share Posted November 4, 2022 VUO Pearson Field, Vancouver WA. Site of the old frontier Fort Vancouver (now a historical museum). I was born in Battle Ground, about fifteen miles away. The reason for that name is that a battle was supposed to take place there between the local Indian tribe and the soldiers from the fort. The tribe's chief had been murdered, supposedly by a soldier from the fort, and the Indians wanted a fight. Turned out, the chief was killed by an ambitious brave from the tribe, so the battle was called off. But the name Battle Ground stuck. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Q Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Rodger Pettichord said: VUO Pearson Field, Vancouver WA. Site of the old frontier Fort Vancouver (now a historical museum). I was born in Battle Ground, about fifteen miles away. The reason for that name is that a battle was supposed to take place there between the local Indian tribe and the soldiers from the fort. The tribe's chief had been murdered, supposedly by a soldier from the fort, and the Indians wanted a fight. Turned out, the chief was killed by an ambitious brave from the tribe, so the battle was called off. But the name Battle Ground stuck. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Great! Thanks Rodge. Orbx Pearson Field is one of my favorites. As a hatter I have a great in in the fur trade, and Fort Vancouver is a wonderful reconstruction, and they have a great website. Pearson is also the oldest airfield in continuous use, and Arcadia Press offers a great photo archive book on its history. Ken Edited November 4, 2022 by Ken Q Correct spelling 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Q Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 18 hours ago, Rob Abernathy said: KPVF Placerville, CA 49er Gold Rush Placerville, once known as"Dry Diggings" and later as "Hangtown" has a fascinating history all part of the rough and tumble of the early days of the American immigration to California, beginning even before the region became US territory. Neat Stuff! Ken 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Q Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 11 hours ago, John York said: This is about my wife. I hope it qualifies. At the end of the 2nd. world war my wife was liberated from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The Americans parachuted in and laid link mats for a rough runway. Then a huge 4 engine bomber landed on this runway and as many ex-prisoners as possible were piled in sitting on the floor while it took off and landed in Shanghai to let them off and continue their journey by land. Finally, my wife and her family made their way to Hong Kong and they sailed home to Britain. Of course this qualifies, John. What your wife endured during WW2 is an inspiration to us all. History is about people, what they do and experience, and we must remember! Ken 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Abernathy Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Ken Q said: Great! Thanks Rodge. Orbx Pearson Field is one of my favorites. As a hatter I have a great in in the fur trade, and Fort Vancouver is a wonderful reconstruction, and they have a great website. Pearson is also the oldest airfield in continuous use, and Arcadia Press offers a great photo archive book on its history. Ken Love Fort Vancouver! Bought a period style brass compass there once that enabled me to win a survival course while recreating the 1820-1840's early American Fur Trade period. btw Ken, thanks for the book recommendation "Once They Were Hats". Very good read! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Q Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 18 minutes ago, Rob Abernathy said: Love Fort Vancouver! Bought a period style brass compass there once that enabled me to win a survival course while recreating the 1820-1840's early American Fur Trade period. btw Ken, thanks for the book recommendation "Once They Were Hats". Very good read! You're welcome, Rob. I do think it's a must read for those interested in the fur business. Now that it is fall, we are starting to get school groups at the museum. Many are 4th grade, and part of the curriculum for this grade is the early beaver fur trade. What they do not learn is the primary reason for this trade was for hats. Even the teachers are surprised to learn this. While we're on about KVUO Pearson, let's not forget about the Kaiser shipyard just to the West of the field during WW2. They built Liberty and Victory Ships, LSTs, and Escort Carriers at Vancouver. Busy place with lots of interesting history. Ken 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flsm (Frank) Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 AYNZ Nadzab (Lae). Great WW2 history - see my video https://youtu.be/23oIEsTZp90 1975 - me and other engineers re-built the old WW2 strip to international standards as a gift to the newly independent PNG. Did not have my PPL then, but sat alongside pilots in a Fokker Friendship F27 to test navigation aids, airport lighting etc. So many approaches at different angles of elevation and azimuth, I got as sick as a dog! Cheers. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Q Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 13 hours ago, flsm (Frank) said: AYNZ Nadzab (Lae). Great WW2 history - see my video https://youtu.be/23oIEsTZp90 1975 - me and other engineers re-built the old WW2 strip to international standards as a gift to the newly independent PNG. Did not have my PPL then, but sat alongside pilots in a Fokker Friendship F27 to test navigation aids, airport lighting etc. So many approaches at different angles of elevation and azimuth, I got as sick as a dog! Cheers. Really great video, Frank. Really found it very interesting. Thanks. Ken 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerribleT Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 AYPY Jacksons got my instrument rating and some twin endorsements there so my favourite for testing new aircraft/refresher ILS training as the setup remains much the same as it was and the Orbx scenery is an excellent rendition of POM and surrounds, PLUS so many other nearby airfields with which I was familiar. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sniper31 Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 (edited) Flying in a 747 to Shannon, Ireland on one of my deployments to Iraq, the flight crew let volunteers sit in the cockpit. This was allowed because this was a military contract flight, so everyone on it was in the same unit, so they had no issues leaving the cockpit door open. To my surprise, no one really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity (and probably were not big flight sim fans like myself...lol). As it was, I got to sit in the co-pilots seat at cruise altitude and even got to eat my breakfast there! Of course, I wanted to touch everything, but didn't dare. I asked a TON of questions. When it was time to descend, I had to move, but the pilots said if I wanted to sit in the jump seat for landing, I could. Of course! That was one of the coolest flight experiences I have ever had, sitting in the cockpit of a 747 on final and landing into Shannon. So cool, and mind you I have hundreds of flight in helicopters at nap of the Earth flight in day and night, over desert and jungles. This 747 flight tops them all though! Edited November 10, 2022 by Sniper31 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pukcip Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 Little Gransden. First Solo. Very pleased with Burning Blue’s rendition as it brings back some great memories. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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