[Note: When one doesn't recall, if one has flown a favorite (SIM) aircraft, in several months, it's probably a good idea to fly it again...So, here, I'm flying, the Carenado Saab-340 (SF34), probably for the 2nd time. Please note, this SIM's FMS and systems etc., being basic, I'm focusing, here, on the aesthetics of this aircraft, rather than the fidelity of simulation. Just about like everyone else, who owns this, I would love for this to, at least, be given a better FMS, even if not of the same caliber, as what PMDG had given us for JS-41 (or MJC has given us for Dash8). This (otherwise pleasing) Saab's flightdeck, reminds me, in appearance, of the (PMDG) JS-41, which, of course, was a Classic (Turboprop) SIM in itself (one of PMDG's finest, if you ask me),...(so, hoping, one day, for a newer version of it, for us to enjoy...)!]

During my Bornholm Island post, I'd pointed out the nature of that "tiny" (<20 miles wide and <30 miles long), but "strategic" piece of land-mass, and its proximity to several (surrounding) countries. There was a comment, on that post, about "Isle of Man" being similar in nature. The Isle of Man is about 30 miles long by 10 miles wide (221 sq miles in area for it vs. 227 sq miles for Bornholm)...talk about close!! The Isle of Man is also located in the middle of the sea (the northern Irish Sea), in proximity to the four nations of (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales). The island has one mountain higher than (2,000 ft), Snaefell, with a height of (2,034 ft). According to an old saying, from its summit, one can see six kingdoms: those of Mann, Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, and Heaven. Some versions even add a seventh kingdom, that of the sea, or Neptune!

The subject Airline, of my post, here, Manx, was an English-owned, Isle of Man based airline that operated for 20 years, between 1982 and 2002 (an earlier Manx Airlines had also existed from 1953 until early 1958). It was head-quartered on the grounds of Isle of Man Airport (also known as Ronaldsway Airport), the departure point of my subject flight. The airline's logo is one of the most "peculiar" I've ever seen on a plane! The origin of this Isle of Man's symbol, three bent legs connected, seems to have been adopted in the Thirteenth Century as the armorial bearings of the native kings. It is often said to represent the three dynamic elements: water, air, and fire. The Three Legs had also appeared on the Manx coinage of the seventeenth-nineteenth centuries, and are, still in use in the Manx Flag. The flag is a triskelion, composed of the same 3 connected legs, but with additional adornments of armors and golden spurs, upon a red background.

So, that much about that unique (and curious) looking (ancient) emblem! Here, in this Saab livery, the Celtic style of the lettering looks nice. Plus, I also like those two stand-alone (Crown-like) Celtic letters ("M") - one on each side of the plane, behind the Capt and FO windows.

Manx's fleet have always comprised of an impressive heritage of various propliners (let me just say, Manx knew props)! Manx flew a Saab 340 (just one, what I can tell, Reg. G-HOPP, the same livery, used in this post) during 1987–88, which bore "SkyHopper" title (as here, too) when operating the Liverpool-Heathrow shuttle service. In this post, please find below, a collection images, for a short flight, from the Isle Of Man Airport (EGNS) to Liverpool (EGGP) - 80nm away (just across the Irish Sea). In a few of the B2B screenshots, where the plane is exiting the Irish Sea (and making landfall), you can spot the Liverpool Bay and the wide estuary of River Mersey, on which Port Liverpool is located. (Side Note: Liverpool's first dock (Old Dock), on record, was the world's first enclosed commercial dock, built in 1715!)

Saab340 production stopped 20 years ago, but, these planes still continue to roam the skies (and the mountains of Alps and Alaska etc.), in commercial service, with many operators, worldwide. So, even if, you (me included) don't live in the same part of the world as the Isle-of-Man/Manx Airlines, hope, you still enjoy this account and the pictures of this livery, below, of this smart-looking and versatile (Swedish) turbo-prop, that Saab called the "flexible performer"!

Thanks for your interest. Comments are welcome.

[Carenado(S340)/Orbx(England)/REX]

Lovely set of screenshots! Great historical info too! 

Are Ronaldsway ATC still cleaning up the spilled coffee stains in the tower? I visited with the Phantom earlier this week  (No incriminating screenshots however.. strange that..).

Cheers.

P.S. I'd love to find a copy of Earth Sims photoreal IOM for sale. The rest of the UK is photoreal, apart from Ireland as I've yet to buy MSE Ireland.

Thank you, Mark!

You seem to be hardly ~35 miles from my flight-path, so, if you had been a bit nearer, you may have heard the sounds of the Saab turboprop engines...!!

Yes, I'm also interested in some good scenery of IOM, like Bornholm's was...(and I've Orbx EU Ireland, but no photoscenery for it..)...

[BTW...I do recall (and still having nightmares) about that Phantom adventure of yours...but it was good fun...that's for sure....!!]

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by P_7878