Stratocruiser Caledonia Across Asia (OMDB-VHHX)

[jtwillia]

This 3200nm overnight flight started at Dubai (OMDB) and finished at Kai Tak in Hong Kong. The high air temperatures in the gulf region required a gentle climb profile to keep the "fair condition" engines cool. It required an hour and half to reach FL300 cruise altitude. No problems encountered enroute but the weather reports for Hong Kong showed thunderstorms and high winds. Descending to the coast the clouds and turbulence increased steadily with 46knt headwinds gusting to 55knts. It was a very bumpy ride down with groans from the passenger cabin. I reduced speed but was still getting a wild ride. Passing over the coastline at 7000 feet the turbulence increased and I was hearing shrieks and screams from the passenger cabin. Groans and the occasional scream continued as I set up for the checkerboard approach to Kai Tak. The winds diminished to 24knts on the nose as I made the final turn to the runway. Gentle touchdown followed by applause. As I turned off the runway on to the taxiway the copilot said "wow" is a soft voice.

Another great Stratocruiser - Captain of the Ship adventure. Thank you A2A.

Some pics below starting with cruise over Guangzhou then pics of the final approach and landing at Kai Tak.

[n421nj]

Awesome

[Lewis - A2A]

Beautiful shots, thanks for sharing. Very sharp images indeed, and I think no avgeek can ever get bored of seeing shots like that

thanks,
Lewis