| Check the Google Map here for information related to the airports included in this scenery, e.g. ident under which the airports can be found in MSFS (always the two-letter ICAOs), NDB and RRN frequencies.
Flying the Hump is a scenery package for MSFS that aims to reconstruct main airfields of the CBI Theater (China-Burma-India) in a way that allows for flying the standard airlift routes.
The Hump was the name given by Allied pilots in the Second World War to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains over which they flew military transport aircraft from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effort of Chiang Kai-shek and the units of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) based in China. Creating an airlift presented the USAAF a considerable challenge in 1942: it had no units trained or equipped for moving cargo, and no airfields existed in the China Burma India Theater (CBI) for basing the large number of transports that would be needed. Flying over the Himalayas was extremely dangerous and made more difficult by a lack of reliable charts, an absence of radio navigation aids, and a dearth of information about the weather. (Wikipedia)
Installation
Extract and copy to Community folder either a version
- without runway lights (for day-only flights), or
- with runway lights for night and low-visibility operations.
This is a workaround to deal with the default MSFS runway lights which are coded to be always on, even during the day and in good visibility conditions.
Scenery is optimized for ORBX Himalaya and Central Asia Mesh, though it should work also without it.
For better appearance, bring the Road Vehicles slider in Traffic tab in General Options to 0.
Content of the scenery package
Flying the Hump scenery builds on the latest (March 2011) version of the China Burma India Malaya and N.E.I. WWII airfields released for FSX by Alex D. Nicolson, and adapts a subset of 58 airfields for MSFS.
As a result, all airfields (serving either as terminal or as waypoint airfields) along the standard airlift routes as flown in July 1945 are included in the Flying the Hump scenery and therefore it is possible to fly the routes depicted on the map refered below.
Important Note: Historical sources differ when it comes to NDB frequencies. Therefore, this scenery uses the Assam-Bengal-China Air Routes maps as source with the highest priority and if not available, the information listed in the DC-3 Airways Virtual Airline “Hump” charter. To be sure, check the info on the Google Map created especially for this scenery. All these three sources are referenced further down in this readme.
The scenery includes 58 airfields that complete the following routes: Able, Baker, Charlie, Easy, Fox, King, Love, Mike, Nan, Oboe, Peter, Roger and Shuttle. Airfields are (related ident codes are in the brackets):
India: Agartala (UN), Barrackpore (CM), Chabua (VG), Chaukan Pass (CQ), Chittagong (NR), Comilla (RA), Dinjan (RH), Fenny (KK), Golaghat (EL), Imphal Tulihal (OM), Jessore (ZN), Jorhat (PW), Kurmitola (GI), Ledo (ZA), Manipur Road (FO), Misamari (QK), Mohanbari (KC), Moran (LX), Rupsi (DO), Sadiya (OR), Shamshernagar (BX), Sookerating (OH), Tezgaon (CV) and Tezpur (YP).
Burma: Bhamo (CN), Broadway (CBW), Fort Harrison (FHR), Ft Hertz (DH), Indainggale (HW), Katha (KQ), Lashio (FK), Myitkyina North (YO), Myitkyina South (FC), Sahmaw (FJ), Shingbwiyang (CR), Shwebo (HQ), Tamu (BP), Tingkwak Sakan (ID) and Warazup (LR).
China: Chaotung (CT), Chanyi (CY), Chengtu-Hsinching A-1 (CU), Hsi Chiang (LB), Ipin (VM), Kunming (RQ), Likiang (DM), LoPing (HP), LuLiang (IM), LuShien (ON), Mangshih (XU), Mengsa (SN), Paoshan (SW), Peishiyi (PY), Szemao (LP), Tsuyung (IX), Weining Lake (YK), Yangkai (CP) and Yunnan-Yi (BJ).
Homer-only beacons: Chih Hu Lake Homer (CG), Kunyang Homer (GV), Loshan Homer (IF), Singri Homer (LD), Tengchwan Homer (FY) and Yunlung Homer (YU).
Routes and Airport Charts Documentation
In order to bring all the essential information to one place, this scenery package includes a pdf with:
- Assam-Bengal-China Air Routes (source: www.cbi-theater.com), and
- CBI Instrument Letdown & Departure Procedures (source: original WW2 publication of the same title complemented with a few charts found online).
Radio Range Navigation
The scenery properly implements Radio Range Navigation (RRN) beacons located at Barrackpore (CM), Chabua (VG), Chengtu-Hsinching (CU), Jorhat (PW), Kunming (RQ), and Tezpur (YP). You can fly RRN using the RRN stand-alone mod by ElectronVolt, however you need to update the RRN beacon database by replacing the original stationslist.csv located within the MSFS FlyingTheBeam folder with the one included in this scenery. To update your LittleNavMap, use the stationslist_LNM.csv file.
Remarks:
For ease of navigation, the RRN beacons are also implemented as NDBs with the same frequency as the RRN beacons. The choice whether to use them is up to you.
If you want to fly RRN with the Boeing 247D, you need to use the standalone mod by ElectronVolt with updated database since it is not possible to update the internal Boeing 247D RRN beacon database.
Essential Resources
CBIXv1 from Alex D. Nicolson - Original files for FSX. The zip contains also useful maps and approach charts and other info.
DC-3 Airways Virtual Airline “Hump” charter - At the bottom of this charter webpage is a link to a file that contains useful information well worth consulting when flying over the Hump, including a detailed description of how to fly each route.
Assam-Bengal-China Air Routes - Maps of the original Hump airlift routes together with relevant nav information. Check also the homepage as the website is a great source of CBI Theater related information.
And of course there is countless articles, accounts, books and videos about the Hump online.
Acknowledgements and Credits
Thank You goes primarily to Alex D. Nicolson for his hard work of creating the original CBI files and his permission to use his work for this Flying the Hump scenery.
Thank You goes of course to all 3D model designers who created various assets useful for Flying the Hump scenery and who made these models available to the community. This scenery is using their models bona fide and in line with their conditions. These 3D model deisgners are: Libardo Guzman García, Greg Pepper, Tim Gibson, Enrique Medal (C-46); Jens B. Kristensen (C-54); Phil Perrott, Jim Nelson, Jaap de Baare, Glen Duncan, Michael Pook (C-87); Mike Stone, Garry J. Smith, Bob Chicilo (B-25); JR Lucariny FSModels (StinsonL5S); Shawn Lund, Pete Clayson (R-4B); Antonio R., Arion Digital, Austro, bishmael97, MattyNL, mohaiba, Urecky (vehicles); (Dodge33) - AJ, »Photogenic«, ColdCanuck60, CrazycatDev, Jason W., Jonan Art, Jorma Rysky, LuddePudde, Martin C., Mike, petronio Uy bigornia jr, saurabhkumarshashi, seafore, Yannick Weber (clutter).
And a big Thank You goes also to Arno Gerretsen, author of ModelConverterX and to the community developing and supporting Blender.
Flight Simulator 2020 / Flight Simulator X © Microsoft Corporation. Flying the Hump was created under Microsoft's "Game Content Usage Rules" using assets from Microsoft Flight Simulator X and it is not endorsed by or affiliated with Microsoft.
Microsoft's Rules: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/developers/rules.
Disclaimer / Copyright
This scenery is uploaded to flightsim.to exclusively and upload to other websites is forbidden without a written approval of the author.
The author of this package, as well as the author of the original scenery, is not responsible for any damage caused by the use of this package.
This package is free. It is forbidden to distribute it (wholly or partially) for commercial purposes without approval of the author of this package and the author of the original scenery. Furthermore, it is forbidden to alter parts of the sceneries and / or use them in other sceneries without a written approval of the authors.
January 2023
version 1.1.0
User Reviews
Review data
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Write a reviewMezcla47
Thank you so much for your work and dedication!
I have been exclusively flying these for the past month and I am loving it.
Each leg has its surprises and challenges, and I discover each new airstrip with amazement as I come to land and then taxi to find a spot where I can park. All the details are perfect and it's all so immersive! Actually, I am only playing MFS2020 for the DC-3 and for your Hump routes, a thousand thanks again!
A very grateful Hump pilot reenactor.
apollon01 8 day(s) ago
Thank you for your kind words.
It is this kind of feedback that makes all the hundreds of hours spent on making this scenery worthwhile 😊
Mezcla47 4 day(s) ago
No doubt you enhanced the experience of a lot of people with these long hours of work 😉
I thought of starting to work myself on adding scattered shiny wrecks on some of the Hump peaks along the routes to give life to the Aluminum Trail, but I don't know if I'll have the courage to undertake it, maybe some day.
Another thank you for the CBI Instrument Letdown & Departure Procedures from the last update, I didn't know you could find such amazing documents!
captainsmuggle
Where can you find the C-46 for FS2020, ive been looking under every rock. I would like to fly this amazing addon with both DC-3 and C-46
apollon01 18 day(s) ago
The C-46 that you can see on the screenshots is a static aircraft only. Sorry.
Once a decent C-46 is released for MSFS, I am the first one to buy 😊
Ginete
Great, Tx!
nbrich1
Thanks again. Great work.
FP using your scenery as the prerequisite for this CBI Series of excursions:
FP: https://flightsim.to/file/45890/flying-the-hump-cbi-supply-transport-routes-of-the-stilwell-and-ledo-roads
Our new historical/vintage/WWII virtual airline is now up and running- effective today (Dec 13, 2022) >> http://www.wwbpa.net/
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
Great to hear it, Norm 😊
nbrich1 2 month(s) ago
Join us anytime, and flying these routes, you can observe your own scenery pieces! Very nice add-on. You added so many objects to each location.. fantastic job, well done.
MFC0001
Just to let you know Apollon, the website wwbpa.net is now live. All of your software has been converted to "tours" and is available to fly as a virtual airline. We are looking forward to adding the final airports as they are ready and a really big THANK YOU for making all of this happen. Please come over and visit us!... (I changed this as the original link and redirect didn't work....sorry) Up and running.....the tours are great.
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
Thanks for your kind words 😊
I am now finishing the last few airstrips and then will release v1.0.0.
I am happy the scenery will be used in your VA. Good luck with that!
sthienard
Great package 🙏
MFC0001
FANTASTIC, Thank you so much. With this update, we are almost ready to launch the VA that will concentrate on WW2 and the Hump. Your scenery has made this project possible. Expect the website to be active in a week or less.
York77
Thanks for the update and the great work so far,
I was thinking a discord channel dedicated for the Hump so pilots can fly sorties together. Whats everyones thoughts?
WAG
No Morse code. I know this is an Asobo problem but maybe if everyone upvotes the missing nav audio in the bug reporting site we can get the ADF sounds to work. I cast my vote the other night.
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
I got a morse code in DC-3. Though a very quiet one. Did you switch the ADF audio ON on the audio panel overhead?
WAG 1 month(s) ago
Yes audio panel switch was on and engine sounds turned down. I guess I wasn't expecting it to be so faint, I'll try it again
Scooty
This is an absolutely awesome project, thanks a lot!
Paul_J
If you are not aware the update today broke this mod....well on my machine it has
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
Can you explain what the problem is?
It runs fine on my system with the latest update.
Anyone else having issues?
Paul_J 2 month(s) ago
Hi thanks for replying......with the hump mod i press the fly button and nothing happens a flight will not load for any location or aircraft.....i remove the mod and its fine...all other mods work fine. I will download again today and see if that makes a difference.
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
And if you try with the Hump mod ONLY and nothing else in Community folder?
eagle33 2 month(s) ago
Same, sim freezes whenever in the vicinity of the Hump
eagle33 2 month(s) ago
Works fine with only this mod actually, no idea why it used to work before with the other mods and not anymore. Difficult to pinpoint which is the culprit
MFC0001
Thank you so much. Just super! And look forward to a vintageairways site in the near future that will feature your software.
nbrich1
Perfect timing.. Thank-you... (Just started working on Easy!)
duffystavern
Great idea. Lookin' forward to this. BTW: is the C-47 livery shown in the pictures included with this? Most of the ones I've seen are the D-day type>
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
Hi and thanks for your feedback.
The C-47 that you see on the screenshots is a static aircraft (so not the 40 anniversary DC-3).
I am also waiting for a non-D-day C-47 livery.
duffystavern 2 month(s) ago
Thanks for your reply. Yes, lookin' for non D-Day version. Maybe Berlin airlift.
Dready1906
My grandfather flew over the Hump for 2 years between 1943 and early 1945 in converted B-24s when he was assigned to B-29s out of Tinian (he was there when the A-bomb missions were launched but that's another story). Of the dozen chief pilots he arrived in India with, he was the only survivor after only a few months. After flying the hump routes in MSFS I remembered what he told me about :
1) Having to choose your route. Flying a southerly course meant slightly lower mountains, but high risk of Japanese fighters out of Burma. Northern routes meant you were less likely to encounter fighters, but the mountains were higher.
2) The terrain in this region is really unique. This isn't the Alps or the Rockies where you have plenty of flat valleys and meadows between mountains - the valleys are all V-shaped and the slopes are steep. Even in good weather and broad daylight, you'd have a tough time finding anywhere to make an emergency landing, and at night, fuhgettaboutit...
3) The Hump flights were all about getting fuel and cargo into China, and they routinely overloaded the planes way past their official MTOW capacity. You needed to be at up to 16,000 feet or so (depending on your route) just to clear the mountain ridges, and you flew at night. So they basically calculated what could your plane lift up to that altitude, assuming all engines were running well and at around Max Continuous Power. If you lost an engine over the mountains, you were pretty much dead because of the terrain. So he and his crews learned to listen to the engines, listening for any hint of a misfiring cylinder or any other hint of trouble.
This is how most of his friends died. That, and "friendly fire" from American night fighters who couldn't tell the difference (another story again).
Thanks for helping bring this history to life a little.
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
Hello and thank you for the story and the details.
The Hump airlift is a fascinating chapter of WW2 and I can't imagine what the people participating in it had to go through. I have read many accounts from pilots flying the Hump and it matches pretty much with what you write. Thank you for giving us bit of a background and a first-hand information from your grand dad.
Paul_J
This is great i was only thinking about flying the hump the other day and came across this by accident....keep updating.....excellent work
eagle33
Chapter 3 of this book is very interesting, it was posted on the official MSFS forum for the upcoming community flight:
https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/28/2001329799/-1/-1/0/AFD-100928-057.pdf
apollon01 2 month(s) ago
Thanks. It is already in my virtual bookshelf 😊
nbrich1
Well done.. and capturing all on the google map is a nice help when trying to figure out and define all of the CBI Supply route FP for MSFS. Looking forward to your continued work on this project. Thank-you. Norm (msfs > nbrich1)
jcremy
très sympa merci 😊
eagle33
Great idea, thanks a lot.