C-46 Commando in fog over the Mississippi River...

[P_7878]

Since I got this plane, meaning to fly it some more, I've been checking in the (Xbox) Marketplace for additional C-46 Commando repaints (especially a few non-miliary ones), but alas, as contrasted with a plethora of repaints for the DC-3, there are none yet for the C-46 that I can find for Xbox. See e.g., a recent C-46 (member) post of an Everts Air (Alaska) C-46.

The C-46 is mostly known for its historically significant role in "Flying the Hump" operation in the Himalayas. However, just as the DC-3, the surplus C-46s also found their way, postwar, into the civilian sectors worldwide, especially in the role of a capacious freighter. Such deployments were noteworthy, though not as predominant as that of the ubiquitous DC-3. Within U.S., airlines that operated this type include the likes of Delta, Pan Am, Braniff, and Alaska, among many other carriers. Delta Air Lines operated 5 C-46s for 10 years between 1957 to 1967. Out of these 5 specimens, I was focusing a bit today on "N9885F", which met its end in Baton Rouge airport, Louisiana, after been written off following a Rwy excursion accident during landing. 

My one (roadway) visit to Baton Rouge, years ago, was marked by a late-night arrival accompanied by torrential rain, fog, mist, and near-zero visibility (those were not the days of on-board (voice-guided) GPS navigation...🙂...but rather of the Rand McNally Maps, popped up on your knees or on the automobile's dashboard, while illuminated by the faint overhead ceiling light). I surely recall breathing a sigh of relief after arriving at my destination and finally switching off the ignition of the car. BTW, Louisiana is one of the wettest states in entire U.S., further aggravated by the low-lying wetlands of the mighty Mississippi River (see my pictures below) which flows through the state. Heavy seasonal rainfall and the big River combine to make Baton Rouge and New Orleans the two most flood-prone and rainiest cities in Louisiana. 

Delta's N9885F C-46 Commando, per the accident report, fell victim to such circumstances, "Weather at New Orleans was below landing minima, so the flight was diverted to Baton Rouge. Weather at Baton Rouge was a ceiling 300 feet overcast, visibility 1.5 miles, in rain and fog..." Yes, that's (exactly) what I recall from my sole visit to the city...🙂..."The plane touched down 2,500 ft past the threshold, and approaching the end of the runway, the pilots attempted to ground loop, but the plane turned just 20 degrees and slid off the runway..." There was fortunately no fatality, but the a/c was destroyed and written off...

Below, I've shown, a set of 14 images of my (symbolic) C-46, here, (harmlessly) lifting off New Orleans's (KMSY) airport in the (artificially created) fog-ridden and overcast weather, also headed for Baton Rouge (see my VFR MAP). On this route, below my plane, there is no escaping aerial views of the (massive) Mississippi River, that runs right through the city of New Orleans and upstream north to Baton Rouge which city is also on the Mississippi River (So, the river connects these two cities, and, for this flight of mine, I intend to track the river, as shown in my VFR MAP). 

In the concluding images, my C-46 is just past the outskirts of New Orleans, flying over and across the Mississippi River, in dense fog...while I hope this time for a better (and safer) outcome of my flight arrival at Baton Rouge...🙂...noting also that I'm not driving into the town, here, but flying instead...🙂...

Thanks for viewing...!

Edited August 7 by P_7878

[Alaska738]

Very nice set of shots! 😉 

[John F]

Very entertaining blending of your RW and sim experiences. Here's hoping some civilian liveries come along for your C-46. 🙂

[pmplayer]

Beautiful shots, realy like the C-46, it is just a nice AC !

cheers 😉

[andiflyit]

Very nice set P_7878 and another great aircraft. 🙂

[bernd1151]

Great screenies, P_7878. I think that given some time, there will also be civilian liveries for the C-46 on the marketplace available.

[P_7878]

Folks:

Appreciated the comments, and your wishes for the marketplace to get me some much-needed extra liveries for this nice plane...there are serious simmers in Xbox too, you know...🙂...