I too performed/re-enacted "the bridge stunt" in FS2004, several years ago, and using a Ranger powered GRUMMAN WIDGEON .... albeit my following images of it have since been buggered-up by PB's branding ....
The above images are each based on the following real world event which occurred in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 31st 1967 .... the day upon which captain Fred LADD (a jovial, much respected/loved, NZ aviation pioneer), the general manager and Chief Pilot of NEW ZEALAND TOURIST AIR TRAVEL LTD .... flew GRUMMAN G44 WIDGEON ZK-BGQ "under" the main span of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, as his salute and parting gesture to both the Hauraki Gulf, and city of Auckland, after having served 12 years and finally retiring from the amphibious airline he managed and was instrumental in co-founding ....
"The bridge stunt" was performed much to the horror of his unsuspecting wife (Mabel LADD), and 2 other PAX/guests, whom accompanied him aboard the aircraft during this final (what at the time was believed to be a scenic) flight.
"UNDER THE BRIDGE" .... his wife exclaimed once airborne and upon sudden realization of his actual intentions.
"YOU'LL LOOSE YOUR LICENCE .... YOU'LL LOOSE EVERYTHING .... YOU CAN'T GO UNDER THE BRIDGE" .... she protested further.
Fred's response was simply .... "NEVER MIND THAT DEAR .... HERE'S THE CAMERA .... YOU JUST SIT BACK AND TAKE SOME NICE PHOTO's".
Noticing Mabel/his wife wasn't even pointing the camera correctly as the aircraft approached the bridge, Fred then grabbed it from her, and managed to rattle off a couple frames as the WIDGEON slipped under the bridges main span.
Once clear of the bridge she once again verbally chastised him saying .... "NOT ONLY WAS IT UNDER THE BRIDGE .... BUT .... IT WAS NO HANDS TOO".
This particular stunt resulted in captain Fred LADD being prosecuted under the NZ Cvil Aviation safety regulations and his being summoned to court for "reckless flying" .... but .... which concluded in his also being "discharged without conviction" (by the presiding magistrate .... Justice W.J.MEADE) and under terms of "leniency" provided within the law/act in consideration of his past humanitarian services to the scattered/remote islands of the Auckland's Hauraki Gulf region .... albeit with a very severe reprimand (told what a "bad lad"/LADD he'd been .... and then being warned to never, ever, repeat such a violation in the future) and having court costs awarded against him.
What few people know though is Fred LADD actually went under the bridge "twice" .... the 2nd time being much later and around 1987/88.
On this 2nd occasion he was a guest aboard one of SEA BEE AIR's GOOSE under the command of Norm SANSON .... operating a celebratory flight of some description. As Norm accelerated the GOOSE for a water TO, the aircraft briefly (and unintentionally) became airborne .... by several feet .... as it passed under the bridges main span. Within minutes of this event Murray POPE, the general manager of SEA BEA AIR, apparently began fielding calls from NZCAA management (then located in downtown AKL and in full view of both the bridge and harbour .... and by implication this entire event too). The nature of the phone discussion between both parties reportedly went along the following lines ....
"MURRAY .... WHAT THE BLOODY HELL's GOING ON WITH THAT GOOSE" ?
To which Murray is reputed to have quite calmly replied .... "NOW CALM DOWN PLEASE .... NORM'S JUST HAVING A WEE BIT OF FUN .... OH AND BY THE WAY YOUR BOSS (the NZCAA director) IS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT WITH HIM AND FRED TOO"
There was no fall-out or legal repercussion following this event.
Norm essentially got away with it because he had the NZ Director Of Civil Aviation aboard the aircraft and with Fred LADD and other invited PAX.
This event is one of many (hilarious) aviation experiences related by Norm SANSON and within his following recently published book ....
"A DEVIATION FROM THE NORM - A Pilots Story" by Norm SANSON
Between 1983 and 89 I spent many weekends at SEA BEE AIR photographing their amphibians in action. I got to fly on these aircraft regularly .... and in doing so cultivated friendships with Norm, Murray, and other staff members which continue to this day. Those were "great/fun times".
When I performed/enacted this stunt all I had was an NZ AMPHIBIAN AIRWAYS liveried WIDGEON. There was nothing available representing NZTAT and for the model I used at the time. I believe "JANKEES" has since done "at least one of" the (several different) 1950's/60's NZTAT liveries for Ranger powered WIDGEON's and MSFS 2020.
Mark C
AKL/NZ
