Friends,
In this thread I will attempt to take you back into the year 1930 and on an adventure in Claude Dornier’s magnificent Do X Flugschiff, or “Flying Ship.” These adventures will be based on the actual itinerary of the Do X’s 1930s trip to New York and back, some 41 ports O’ call in all. We actually began our journey in this thread: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/local-legend-xii-dornier-do-x/606508/184 and you are invited to have a look there if you wish to track the first leg of our adventure, which began on Lake Constance in Germany and ended with our successful landing in Amsterdam harbor. Here, however, we will document the second- and, if I am able, all subsequent- legs of our long journey, which will carry us all the way to New York and back to Lake Constance!
We begin our second flight anchored in Amsterdam harbor, looking forward to getting underway and reaching our destination, far-away Calshot, England. In the photo below, we take a last look at some of the sights in Amsterdam before retiring for the evening in our massive aeroplane:
Next morning: A short time after the Captain radios for a harbor tug to pull us out a safe distance where we can start engines and prepare for takeoff, our little friend appears and attaches a tether to our hull. Out we go!
While any off-duty members of the crew sip their morning coffee or tea, the Captain, 2nd Officer and navigator prepare the plane for takeoff and start the twelve massive engines. There is a deep roar as our flying ship basks in mid-harbor, and our little tugboat escort scurries back to the pier. The engines roar to life!
Having received clearance from the Harbor Master authorizing takeoff, the Flight Engineer, at the Captain’s instructions, advances the throttles- full power!
Our mighty eagle claws her way into her cold and cloudy element- Farewell, Fare Amsterdam!
As she ascends ever higher into the heavens, our vessel is the very picture of grace and power…
A panoramic view of Northwestern Europe from the cargo hatch at the rear of the ship…
…and another over the port stub wing:
It cannot be argued: This aeroplane is a true Behemoth. She dwarfs everything else in the sky, and leaves one with a feeling that takes one’s breath away at her sheer size and speed…
We are now well on our way, ascending ever higher, and ever farther from Amsterdam…
To those with sufficient imagination, the very moon itself seems not beyond our reach!
We approach the northern coast of Holland. That’s the North Sea beyond.
Not much to see from the navigator’s compartment!
All appears a bit hazy from the bar as well! Not to worry, we’ll crack open a porthole…and a bottle, and make the best of it, yes? (but none for the Captain mind you- he has to fly this thing!)
Don’t look now, but that’s England up ahead!
Approaching King’s Gate.
The radio room reports: North Foreland radio station detected! Tracking inbound with ADF gear!
Beautiful English countryside…
We fly ever further into England…
Lydd-On-Sea…
More of Jolly England…
A collection of ocean-going vessels…
Passing over Portsmouth (at least we think it’s Portsmouth!)
Another view…
Our destination, cold and blustery Calshot, England…
The approach was foggy and a bit dangerous, zero visibility until finally, we find a break in the clouds and touch down in the water…
Taxiing…
Finally we lay at anchor in Calshot bay.
Well, it’s not exactly Paris, but it feels good to have some solid land under our feet! Not much to see from the aeroplane…
Most of us venture out and start snapping photos of our new environs…
And, well, some of us are perfectly content to catch a few winks in a warm bunk after a long flight!
My friends,
This ends the second flight of the mighty Do X during it’s epic 1930 journey and leaves us in Calshot, UK. The next leg of our journey will take us to beautiful La Rochelle France on the Bay of Biscay. Since I have not quite retired and have real work to do, and a real family who needs me, I can only hope to have more time to bring you more of the history-based adventures of this amazing and beautiful aircraft that Herr Dornier devoted so much of his life and energy to. Thank you for viewing my work, and I hope to have another installment of our trip for you to enjoy in the coming days!
In the meantime, please consider visiting Freundes-und Förderkreis Do X e.V. on the web to learn more about the efforts being undertaken in Germany to bring this fabulous aircraft back to life !!!
Chris
great post!