Aluminum Overcast around the world

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AviationAtWar
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Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

I flew the B-17 the other night for the first time in about six months and I've decided to make another around the world attempt in it. I started it a couple times last year but gave up a few hours in because of CTD's on long flights. I probably shouldn't say this, but I think moving to Steam has fixed my CTD issues as well as low frame rates.

I download a repaint of Aluminum Overcast last night. I had my first warbird ride in Overcast many years ago. I'm going to try to remember to track fuel and oil consumption as well as mileage flown. I'll be moving a bit slower this time being in the B-17 so hopefully I can get this done before I lose interest.

My last couple trips took me north through Europe, this time I'm going south for a change of pace.

Leaving my home airport last night.
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Crossing the Ohio River. Goodbye, Indiana!
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LZ-WIL
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by LZ-WIL »

Nice looking shots!
Looking forward to the journey progress and pics. :wink:

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

AviationAtWar
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

I see Lewis posted this on Facebook to make sure I finish. :D

I got a couple more hours in last night and have made it to Florida. I'm hoping to be over South America tonight.

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Samster
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by Samster »

Good Luck!!! Have fun!

-Sam
The bad news is time flies. Good news is you're the pilot.

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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

Leaving Florida tonight. It looks like I'll have just enough fuel to make it to South America.

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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

Well, I did have just enough fuel to make South America but my fuel transfer pump failed and left 300 gallons in the bomb bay tanks unusable. I've diverted to Haiti.

Approaching Cuba.
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Lewis - A2A
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by Lewis - A2A »

Yes the facebook gang and the forum and the twitter lot are now with you :mrgreen:

cheers and good luck,
Lewis
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AviationAtWar
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

First leg is complete! As I mentioned I was trying to make South America and I had it made until the transfer pump failed, leaving 290 gallons in the bomb bay. I diverted to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

I burned a total of 2771 gallons and covered 1741 miles from KLAF to MTPP, flight time was exactly 7 hours.

Number 1 developed an oil leak and used 9 gallons. 2 and 4 used 4 gallons each, number 4 used 5 gallons.

Nearing the airport.
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Touchdown.
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I was hoping it would happen in flight so I could land with it feathered, but number 3 finally ran out of fuel as I pulled up to my parking spot.
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richaustintx
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by richaustintx »

transfer pump failure? These acu-sims are fantastic!

Good job in having a back up. Do you plan each flight with back up airports? Was it just a quick choice?
Richard Heath
Enjoying every minute!!


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AviationAtWar
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

No, I didn't have a plan for an alternate until the failure. I just used the A2A navigator map to decide where to go while in flight.

I've had a few transfer pump failures over the last couple years but they were mostly caused by me forgetting they were running and allowing a tank to run dry. In the past I've burned the Tokyo tanks first and then transferred bomb bay fuel, but I think I may start burning the bomb bay fuel first. That way if the pump does fail I'll know earlier in the flight that I don't have full range.

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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by CaptainRodney »

Alot of respect for you. The longest I've taken the B-17 was Long Beach to Hawaii. That's a really fun trip. It makes you feel proud of yourself hahaha
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AviationAtWar
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

Hawaii to California was one of the first long trips I made in the 17. It sure was cool seeing land on the horizon for the first time after all that water!

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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

I left Haiti tonight

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LZ-WIL
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by LZ-WIL »

Hi,

The captain would be: "Now I got these b*$@!#%s from my last year cruise trip! I am sure, I shouldn't have paid that much!"

- Pilot, open bomb bay doors...

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Great shots once again, thanks for sharing!

Cheerz,
Will
Bonanza, Skylane, Skyhawk, Cherokee, Cub, Texan, Mustang, Warhawk, Spitfire, Flying Fortress

AviationAtWar
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Re: Aluminum Overcast around the world

Post by AviationAtWar »

For my second leg I had taken off in Haiti at 10-11 PM.

Daybreak on the east coast of Brazil just after 5 AM the next morning.
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Final approach at SNYE, Pinheiro Airport.
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The last half hour of the flight was pretty tense. As with most of my long flights like this I didn't plan anything and relied on the in flight map to decide when to land. At 2,000 feet I still hadn't seen the airport when suddenly I broke through some cloud cover and there it was. I didn't have any fuel for a go around or to spend any time searching or trying to line up - I landed with 22 gallons of fuel total left in all tanks.

(sorry if this is huge, it doesn't want to resize for some reason)
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Engine 1 used 17 gallons of oil, the inboards used 6, number 4 used 7 gallons. I burned 3578 gallons of fuel, 2.3 gallons of hydraulic fluid, and lost the number 1 generator. Total distance was about 2,400 miles and flight time was 8.9 hours.

I have a few repairs to make before the big over water crossing, next stop will be Africa.
Last edited by AviationAtWar on 12 Mar 2017, 16:14, edited 1 time in total.

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