Earlier this week, a curious thing happened to me. Out of the blue, from nowhere, I unexpectedly received a Text Message from an old friend of mine, with whom I used to be in regular touch during my stint of domicile, long ago, in the state of Ohio (he then lived in Michigan). What made it curious is that I knew he had long since moved to Dubai (see my previous post...🙂...if you like...) in some professional capacity. The message contained just one cryptic word, "Congratulations...!". I was puzzled why would this (old) college-day friend of mine, from half-way across the world, after several years of silence, suddenly send me congratulatory wishes...especially because I couldn't think of any (personal) life event recently that would merit such a message...? Of course, I didn't want to admit my dilemma...🙂...by asking him what it is...that he might be referring to.

So, I mentioned to my better-half that Mr. XYZ has texted me to say, "Congratulations...!". Immediately, she suggested, "Check if the Ohio State University Football Team has done anything special this week...". Indeed, that's exactly what it was. Unknown to me (excuse me, but I have to plead ignorance of Football happenings in recent years, something un-heard of in my younger days of avid fascination for this sports), Ohio State has just won the College Football National Championship, beating Notre Dame, 5 days ago, on January 20, in the Playoff Game held in the city of Atlanta. So, I might have really liked to visit Atlanta in RW this year, but that being too late now, I'm flying there virtually, instead, via this post...🙂...

There was a decade or so in my life, when Mr. XYZ and I would be regularly (and passionately) proclaiming our bragging rights about who (Ohio State or Michigan) might come on top at the end of the season. BTW, for folks who are not familiar (and those outside U.S.), the (Ohio State - Michigan) College rivalry, I think, might come close to one of those fiercest (and historic) rivalries in the heartlands of British Football (or Soccer as it is also known) ...🙂...that I have only read about. In the bitter (midwest) cold of the Football Season, XYZ and I would often travel by road to the other team's arena to witness the (eagerly awaited) match, and after the game, depending on the outcome, one would be glowing in the glory of victory, while the other one would be in the doldrums in the aftermath of a defeat...🙂...Oh well...

When I used to visit Mr. XYZ in the enemy-land for such a game, I would carry a sports jacket, ready at hand, that is reversible i.e., one side printed with the Ohio State emblem and logo, and the other (inner) side, with that of Michigan. So, afterwards, in case of a victory by Ohio State (which didn't come that often, btw), if I were to venture out into the (college) streets, I would flip my Jacket, so the locals would think that I am one among them...🙂...

Because these National Championship wins by Ohio State are rare, XYZ thought of congratulating me for my past loyalty to Ohio Football, not knowing that I'm (rather) busy these days with my spare time in the weekends, flying the Airbus airliners of MSFS2024...🙂...Anyway, I looked up...though Ohio State has won the Championship this year, they lost to Michigan earlier. I replied back with a message, "Thank you...🙂...but, at least you guys beat us again this year, so, don't feel too bad...about not getting to the top...", sounding well-informed that I'm on top of such Football news...🙂...And after I watched the replay of the National Championship, I travel, now, via this post, from Chicago to Atlanta, as if I were going to the Game there.

Regarding my transport of choice, the T-6 Texan is no stranger to us simmers. Since the earliest days of our engagement in this hobby, there has been always a plethora of freeware and payware renditions, been available to us for enjoyment, as far back as I recall. The T-6 Texan is named after the state of Texas, because the nickname was a natural on account of the plane's primary manufacturing location. This version by MSFS/Asobo is decent, but, of course, do not expect FBW navigation, it has no autopilot of any kind, just as for the RW a/c, I believe. So, it needs constant attention in flight, but easy to trim and fly, per my own (first time) experience with it today, in my virtual world. 

I fly south from my hometown Chicago (O'Hare / KORD), first, straight to (KSTL) St. Louis (see EFB Map), doing there a bit of (unauthorized) daredevilry...🙂...around the famous St. Louis' Gateway Arch, above the Mississippi River (see images below). Not too far from the Arch, you will also spot images of the Poplar Street Bridge, as I fly my Texan over it, while reminiscing about my roadway trip, a few years ago, on Interstate Highway 55, that crosses the big river in St. Louis on this bridge. I've also once taken the (memorable) ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, a fast moving and bit of a claustrophobic trip in a small capsule, ~4 mins to the top, and ~3 mins back down to ground. Plus, I also recall the paddlewheel riverboat trip I'd taken around the locales of my (St. Louis) images, shown below, thinking about author Mark Twain and the adventures of Tom Sawyer... (the Mississippi River and St. Louis had played a vital role in the life and imagination of young Mark Twain). 

Finally, before heading to Atlanta airport (KATL), I've detoured a bit northwest of the region (See my EFB Map), towards the Blue Ridge mountains (see images), located near Georgia's borders with Tennessee and North Carolina, and eventually touching down on Atlanta's Rwy 9L (last image). It was a fun flight...though most of it passed over the relatively flatlands of the midwestern and southeastern United States. And now that I've arrived in Atlanta, and Ohio State has won the (coveted) Championship trophy, I'm raising here a (non-alcoholic) Hazy IPA to it...🙂... (somehow it does not taste as good as the other one...Oh well...). Anyway, thanks to Mr. XYZ who, from afar in Dubai, brought this bit of good news to my awareness, prompting me to make this trip to Atlanta.

Hope you enjoy the collection of pictures of my trip with this iconic T-6 Texan (warbird) trainer and airshow hero...more than 15,000 of which have been built so far, and production is still on-going today...it being currently referred to as the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.

Thanks for viewing...!

A fun flight, with great shots...especially in St. Louis. And a preamble that's always worth a read, especially when it wanders a bit from the simming track. 🙂
🙂

Fine set, thanks for showing !

cheers 😉

Great set of shots! 😉 

cracking set of shots there dude

John, pmplayer, Will, Darren et al.:

Thank you all for the comments and responses...Glad you liked this (travelling) Texan...🙂...

Cheers...!