Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2022 12:33:52 GMT -5
I always admire how meticulously Larry creates his flight reports. Since I don't have his talent, I decided to go another way. Namely by putting a passenger in the foreground.
My fictional story revolves around a fictional friend of the well-known "jungle doctor" Albert Schweitzer. In 1921 he founded a sanitary station in Lambaréné, Gabon. It later became a hospital, which he supported until his death in 1965. I therefore imagined a journey by this friend who, in 1957, traveled from his native Alsace to Lambaréné and visited the illustrious compatriot.. For better understanding I named him "Edmond", matching perfectly with his outfit! He exclusively uses scheduled flights included in 1957 traffic. So the trip might start.
Edmond and his wife in front of their house in Alsace, just beneath of the famous castle of Haut Koenigburg, seen on the top of the mountain.
On a Tuesday morning he takes Swissair flight SR 180 from Basle Mulhouse to Paris Orly.
After two hours, the DC-3 reaches Paris Orly. Arrival is scheduled at 10:50 AM.
As the flight to Libreville departs in later afternoon, Edmond has just enough time to visit the "Place de la Concorde" in the center of Paris. The roads weren't permanently congested back then!
Back to Orly, he is boarding on the Lockheed Super Constellation L-1049C F-BHBD of Air France for the flight AF385 to Nice, Lagos and Libreville.
Flight AF 385 is leaving Orly at 17:00 PM and flying over the suburbs of Paris.
On the way to Nice, the Super Constellation passes over the French Alpes Maritimes near the town of Gap.
Flight AF 385 is landing at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport two hours after having left Paris.
Edmond awaiting boarding time in the transit area.
Take off at 20:20 PM for the night flight to Lagos
The Super Constellation reaches Lagos in the very early morning. Meanwhile it's Wednesday.
The airport of Nigerian capital was formerly known as 'Lagos International Airport'.
Edmond is again waiting to be called for boarding.
The Super Constellation is taxing out for take off and heading to Libreville. It allows a short overview of Lagos Airport.
Some hours later Libreville is in sight, as well as the large estuary of the Komo River.
Flight AF 385 is taxing in at Libreville.
Due to bad connections, Edmond is forced to stay a night at Libreville. The next flight to Lambaréné is scheduld for next day at 08:37 AM
Having a lot of free time at disposal, he visits the port of Libreville, where tons of Okoumé wood are transshipped to cargo ships.
Next day, meanwhile Thursday, Edmond is waiting to board on a Noratlas 2502 of Union Aéromaritime de Transport for his last leg to Lambaréné.
Shortly after take off, the Noratlas overflies the large delta of the said Komo River with its numerous river arms.
The next stop is scheduled at Port Gentil.
Port Gentil is the second largest city of Gabon and therefore has an equally important port. This is overflown shortly after take off.
Finally the Noratlas reaches Lambaréné, situated at one of the river arms formed by the meandres of the Ogooué River.
On Thursday, 11:00 AM, flight 5033 touches down at Lambaréné.
Edmond is visibly lucky that the long journey to there is over.
In front of Doctor Schweitzer's hospital, Edmond enjoys the view of and over the river as well as the tranquility and serenity that this radiates.
The former French colony became independant as 'République du Gabon' in 1961.
P.S. Once again, this thread couldn't be done without the very talented and precious contributions done by a couple of people. And that again is only possible thanks to Tom, who initially created ths appropriate platform. We have to take care of it and keep it alive!
Bernard
