Original Topic started Nov 28, 2002 on AvCanada's oringal forum 26252 page views as of 2/15/2004
By Duke Elegant
A few hours ago....
"Well Duke...(that's not my real name)the news is not good," said the doc. "The cancer...it's back.Your CEA count is up and...." I only half listened."Mass on your liver...something in your abdomen..blah blah blah"
A chill, like a rapier, shot up my spine... a big chill..the information he gave was only the clarity of dreams.My wife and I never even looked at each other. She had been through it once with me already.The chemo, the pukeing, shitting, needles, hair all over the house, nausea and fear.Like some creature devoid of form, the big "C" was stalking me.
Fear you say....from an old Aviator?
Thursday, November the 28th.2002
The call came as usual on this date every year...from my old co-pilot.
"Happy Lobster Day!" and then we laughed and recalled that fatefull day five years ago out over the Atlantic.
The plan sounded simple...we were to base the C117(Super DC3) in Yarmouth Nova Scotia in order to fly live lobsters to New York prior to shipment to Japan. I had already done a couple of trips but now with B Check Authority I was to line indoctrinate a new Captain and co-pilot.A flawless day, although cold, made flight planning easy except for the forty knot headwind. We had plenty of fuel and nine thousand pounds onboard.We climbed to ten thousand or so on this bright blue day and I settled into the nav chair to think up some relevant questions for the Captain, a steely eyed ex Voodoo pilot named Les. He was all excited about his new GPS with the VNAV function.In the right seat was Slaz, a strong and jovial young chap bursting with keen-ness.
The Captain toyed with his GPS and, as we approached what I had figured out to be the PNR, I asked him, "Where would you go now in the event of an engine failure?"
He correctly stated he would return to Yarmouth due to the headwind, and, of course his GPS. "Aha!" says I. "You cannot give me an ETA UNTIL you turn around and use your new groundspeed read-out." He knew I was right and promised to learn the PNR formula.
Then....BANG!... a backfire.
"Which engine?" I blurted out. We hadn't caught it.Then...BANG! again...I saw the guage flicker...the left engine.I scrambled over the load of squeeking live cargo and, in horror, saw oil trailing from the cowling. I ran forward only to have Les inform me that we had a chip light.
A chill crept up my spine......
Down below the spindrift streaked off the waves...I found out later that the seas were thirty feet.
"Do you mind if I assume command of the flight?"I respectfully asked Les...after all I had three engine failures in this airplane before.
Without an answer he moved to the right seat and Slaz stood between us.Les immediately called a Mayday to Boston in order to clear the airspace below as we were going down as we completed the shutdown procedure....except the engine wouldn't feather.With all trims maxed out and full aileron it was difficult to control the airplane and indeed we couldn't hold altitude.
The feather button was in and lit and yet the prop turned...it took a while to figure out..prop turning..feather pump running...shit! we must have broken the crankshaft...Yes! that's it..the RPM read zero...Won't feather...never..all the oil is gone....windmilling...shit!
Slaz taps me on the shoulder and points to the feather button...still running..no oil...fire danger.
Yep! The co-pilot had saved our lives for sure so I pulled the button.
Les in steely eyed fashion informs me we won't make it to any shore according to VNAV.
"Upgrade the Mayday "says I...whatever the hell that meant.
Down to eight thousand...next we see a DC10 circling us...Boston had diverted him from his trip to Germany to at least get a visual on us...EASY...we were at the leading edge of the oil slick.
Imagine what those pax thought with their noses pressed up against the glass.
A Coast Guard Falcon 20 appeared and scorched around us and the DC10 went on his way...we never did talk to him, but we were given a discreet frequency to talk to the Falcon.
I was busy flying the plane when Slaz asked if he should start throwing cargo out and this permission was quickly granted but he had to use the emergency exit.The cockpit was a busy place.Les monitoring the good engine, updating me on where we would ditch...but oh so cool."Is your airplane falling apart?" the Falcon asked as they saw stuff hitting the tail...it was boxes of lobsters.
"What can you do for me?" I asked. "We will drop you a life raft" was the answer.I struggled with the controls...200fpm down was the best I could do. I looked at the mountainous seas..."It will blow away in this wind and besides, we have a problem with ditching" says I. "I need a helicopter"
They dispatched one from Cape Cod. That is why I decided to continue straight ahead in order to close the distance as soon as possible.Four thousand....Slaz worked feveriously in back and we could hear the boxes hitting the tail..the airplane shuddered with every hit.
We had METO power on the good engine and as we descended , Les was pulling back on the power...we were still descending..."Want more power? " he asked.
It was the hardest decision in my aviation career. "No" say I, "I want to save that engine till ground effect, maybe get to shore
that way"
The seas were huge. Two thousand...
"Go back and get Slaz" says I "I want to brief on the ditching. Slaz arrives..."Half the cargo gone " he says breathlessly, eyes as big as dogs balls.
While I was briefing, Les yells, "We are levelling,Shit..we're gonna make it."
And make it we did...into Provincetown,Cape Cod...JUST. The capitol of the NW USA.
Another story...Wendy the Windsurfer...
A few lessons here...
Don't give up till you're licked.
Don't whine and trivialize when you haven't been there.
Lets keep our profession out of the gutter...we need each other.
I have another difficult mission ahead...and if I croak...I would like on my tombstone.....
HONOUR IS A MANS GIFT TO HIMSELF
Tales of an Old Aviator...The Big Chill (By Duke Elegant)
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore
-
avcanada
- Rank Admin
- Posts: 12556
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 5:22 pm
- Location: Calgary AB, USA, Argentina
- Contact:
Page #1 continued
Rebel
Joined: Nov 13, 2001
Posts: 579 Posted: 2003-01-22 02:33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, that's good...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
alame
Joined: Nov 16, 2001
Posts: 231 Posted: 2003-01-22 05:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is THE best post on this board to date, don't just stop at this one please, there has to be more.............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CarbIce
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 25 Posted: 2003-01-22 06:46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A perfect story to start the day off right. Excellent post! Keep em coming.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snoopy
Joined: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 437 Posted: 2003-01-22 07:07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GREAT story! Thanks for sharing.
And don't forget your own advice - don't give up until you're licked.....
Best Regards,
Snoopy
_________________
the only time you can have too much fuel is if you're on fire...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maverick
Joined: Oct 11, 2002
Posts: 41
From: CYVK and/or CYYC
Posted: 2003-01-22 09:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was probably the most intresting thread ever to be posted here...it actually made me Read on!
_________________
-----------------------------------------
The Liberal Party is a bunch of Deratives of Acceleration. So there. I want to scare ppl on the path at the end of 13 in CAH3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-22 12:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maverick ..mmmm
Yep! Courtney Airpark...1800 feet...King Air A100...they were the days eh?
Navajo's too.
They probably wouldn't believe us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
endless
Joined: Jan 10, 2002
Posts: 798
From: nuclear winter
Posted: 2003-01-22 13:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was indeed a good one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 200
From: Atlantic Canada
Posted: 2003-01-22 14:28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke: one hell of a story. I'll bet there was several yards of seat cushion removed from various nether regions on the ground at Cape Cod.
Regarding the "Big C" thing: you've just reached two thousand feet; wait for the level off. You'll beat it.
God bless.
John
_________________
FixedWing, GoldWing, FlingWing..Life is good!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-22 15:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the encouragement fellow Aviators.
Here's how it works.....
WE HAVE A MAN DOWN
As I was nearing the end of my last chemo I heard that a fellow Aviator had been stricken with the Big C. He was an ex F18 fighter pilot, ex Boeing Captain and then flew Invaders. He was a collegue but we weren't particularly close buddies as we were never based together.
He had a very good Cathay medical plan and I tracked him down through his mother and phoned him at a clinic in Texas. He couldn't thank me enough as I rallied support for him through e-mail and he got lots of calls.
One day he phoned me to tell me how guilty he felt that he never supported me although I was sure he gave me some thought.
I told him I had lots of friends and that he should pass support along one day....not backwards to me..to someone who needed it.
That, my friends, is how it works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glideslope
Joined: May 24, 2002
Posts: 134
From: YVR
Posted: 2003-01-22 15:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Driver
Joined: Jan 06, 2002
Posts: 141 Posted: 2003-01-22 16:19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best of luck Duke, Go get 'em.
Cheers!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rudy
Joined: Jan 04, 2003
Posts: 88
From: BC coast
Posted: 2003-01-22 17:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lobster story is a good one. Les told me about it a couple of years ago. I remember someone jokingly saying, "at least the lobsters got back to the water!" Les replied, "Yes that's true but what are they gonna do with their pinchers taped shut!" Everybody laughed.
Good luck with your battle Duke!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pratt
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 239
From: YVR
Posted: 2003-01-22 19:38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great writing Duke, and best of luck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
king air guy
Joined: Sep 08, 2002
Posts: 656
From: Calgary, AB
Posted: 2003-01-23 00:04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke....that was one hell of a story, one for the books!!!
I think you missed another calling - author.
As for the Big "C", I wish you all the best. You have our hopes and prayers.
Cheers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 12:03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks King Air Guy...and all of you .. you all help me keep focused.
I sat down last night, fingers poised ready to share another tale but I partook a little too liberally in some "Golden Throat Charmers".
Spring 1983.
I had overstayed my visit to Australia but was still confident to get a seat on the Budworm Program. I needed the money as my many wives had shared in the booty from previous adventures.It was a six week project and big bucks. Spray pilots ,some Swiss, Americans, Chechs, poles, Aussies and South Africans to name a few.Frenchmen too. They all came to fly the TBM Avenger, a 2000HP US Navy torpedo bomber.We sprayed the whole forest of New Brunswick in formations of three at about fifty feet.In the past there had been about thirty TBM's on the job, spread out on bases with usually nine on each base.
The turns at the end of the line were like mini airshows and dangerous. Imagine pulling 17,000lbs around at 2 G's...that made the slipstream 34,000lbs....enter it and you were a smoking hole in the jungle.
I was number two to a tall, hawkfaced, old ex F104 Starfighter pilot who had an ego as big as his balls. Number three was Farrell and he was not happy with the maintainence. None of us were..hell...at a hundred bucks a trip...Shutup.
We were spraying in the hills to the North and Farrells plane was running rough. If one guy went back we all went back...."Shutup" it was hinted to him..A hundred bucks.
But he had had enough and quit leaving his plane sitting on the ramp. Frank and I were elated as we could do faster turns with two airplanes and make good dough. The competetion was brutal. Once off line we would look for another team, also calling off line and, without any calls, just push it up to METO. First team midfield on the carrier break had the right of way. We always wanted the last load of the day. It was not uncommon to duke it out in the mess shack after flying.
MORE TO FOLLOW, OVER!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 12:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4AM
They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn.
We would arise, not from sleep but from passing out from too many warm Moosehead and bullshit stories. A coffee helped a little but then we went to the flightline in the dark, flashlights stabbing the dark as we did half-hearted walk-arounds.
Then...there is NOTHING.....I say..NOTHING more horny than nine Avengers running up in the dark..18,000 horsepower growling..orange flames turning blue as they warmed up. The first team would move into the pits to await the dawn, when the C172 pointer planes would take of and go to the block. We had two per team. They navigated for us online and we simply lined them up.
DAWN. We launch. Frank lines up with his 625US gallons of poison and roars off, vortices trailling from the slots at the wingtips. He banks right and I am powering up already, full power..49"...52" if you need it through the gate..tail up six inches and a slight tug and she breaks free.Frank banks back for the joinup. Gear up...First power reduction....first power reduction...Shit!..it's stuck....accelerating...I go scorching by Frank.."Slow down" he yells. "Can't..throttle's stuck" says I.
200kts.. I turn on downwind...250Kts.
I look at the Dunphy Airstrip..3000feet. No Way!
"Go to Chatham" growls Frank calmly..."050 degrees roughly"
I set a rough course..I can't remember what the final speed was because I was focussed on the cylinder head temp along with the oil temp that had already hit redline. I trimmed nose down and left all the right rudder trim in...getting hot in here.
The big chill...it ran up my spine..
"Climb up and jump" suggested another pilot : I see some smoke"
I looked at the 'chute...US Navy 1952 ..it read.
I stayed low...if it cuaght fire I wanted to ditch..the landscape was flat but flashing by in a blur.
The US Navy manual says you can use full power for two minutes..in wartime that is.
It's now about five minutes. I'm on my own.
She's screaming..was that a puff of smoke?
I could see the base off in the distance. Frank had already looked up the frequency for me...thanks Frank.
"Chatham Tower Zebra Two inbound..I have a problem"
"Say your position" says the controller.
I have lied in the past by saying I said "DESPERATE!" It got a few laughs.
"Crossing a powerline NE bound" is all I knew.
"What is you plan?"...they have every right to know..I didn't have one.
"Left base 250knots plus" I blurt out. I don't know what he said.I wasn't listening.
I noticed a helicopter hovering at the other end of the runway.
I roll onto base.....miles out.
250 KNOTS ON FINAL
More to follow over.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLguy
Joined: Jul 05, 2002
Posts: 109 Posted: 2003-01-23 13:02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke all the best to you! Just another walk in the park! Did you ever work with the legendary Agent Orange on the TBM's. The guy who introduced his wife, "Boys meet the Crank, Crank meet the Boys". I flew Canso's with him in the early 80's. Never a dull moment!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Curious
Joined: Nov 06, 2001
Posts: 654
From: Frozen North
Posted: 2003-01-23 13:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small world...I knew the Slaz from his brief foray into the arctic, but now I know that I know you too! I've got a picture of your machine (on the ramp in YCH) downstairs in the bar. All my little air cadets got hero shots in front of it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 13:48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where's YCH?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian
Joined: Nov 22, 2001
Posts: 722
From: From: From: ^C
Posted: 2003-01-23 13:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://map.aeroplanner.com/mapping/char ... =7&id=CYCH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snoopy
Joined: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 437 Posted: 2003-01-23 13:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miramichi, NB? CYCH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 14:02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRIAN!!!!!Thank you so much...
You could be of enormous help to me.
The story was in a Newcastle paper.....FRONT PAGE I believe.
I need to go into their archives....
Read on and you'll see why.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 14:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I meant ..
JUST CURIOUS....my TBM in Miramachi?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planevagabond
Joined: Jan 23, 2003
Posts: 2
From: Ottawa
Posted: 2003-01-23 16:16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep the shiny side up my friend. We are all with you for round two of this fight.
Cheers Mate
The Gang here at FAVC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 200
From: Atlantic Canada
Posted: 2003-01-23 18:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant posted:
"...tall, hawkfaced, old ex F104 Starfighter pilot..."
COMMENT
I gotta ask...Was that Ralphie?
Duke: I was in Boston Brook several times '81-'84 working for the company that owned the airstrip. And you're right: the sound of those round engines running up was magic.
"Just like double u, double u two"
John
_________________
FixedWing, GoldWing, FlingWing..Life is good!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zero
Joined: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 113
From: courtenay, b.c.
Posted: 2003-01-23 20:14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good to hear a few words about working the Budworm. Spent the summer of '88 flying in the 172's watching you guys muscling those beasts around - impressive. Three accidents, 1 fatal, in the span of three months seemed a tad high but made for a most exciting summer and gave me new respect for the cowboys in the cockpits. Heard FPL got rid of the TBM's for Ag-tractors.
Looking forward to the next chapter.
Zed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Curious
Joined: Nov 06, 2001
Posts: 654
From: Frozen North
Posted: 2003-01-23 23:24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUST CURIOUS....my TBM in Miramachi?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow cheat line, orange tail...called final about 30 miles out? Yeah, your TBM!
I'll scan the picture and send it to you. I'd post it here, but that would reveal my secret identity...no wait, I was skinny and had all my hair in this, so no-one will recognize me
And Schooner, if you're talkin' Ralph Annis...You mean he flew something else besides Sabres? Didn't know he had any other kind of stories!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 23:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
It was Frank Gillan...from Comox.....fierce competitor!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 200
From: Atlantic Canada
Posted: 2003-01-24 07:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And Schooner, if you're talkin' Ralph Annis...You mean he flew something else besides Sabres? Didn't know he had any other kind of stories!"
COMMENT
I don't know all the aircraft he flew, but I know he was on '104s and I met up with him in Juniper one day so he had at least one year on budworm.
Duke: I know Frank's name, but I don't think I ever met him.
Joined: Nov 13, 2001
Posts: 579 Posted: 2003-01-22 02:33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, that's good...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
alame
Joined: Nov 16, 2001
Posts: 231 Posted: 2003-01-22 05:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is THE best post on this board to date, don't just stop at this one please, there has to be more.............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CarbIce
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 25 Posted: 2003-01-22 06:46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A perfect story to start the day off right. Excellent post! Keep em coming.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snoopy
Joined: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 437 Posted: 2003-01-22 07:07
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GREAT story! Thanks for sharing.
And don't forget your own advice - don't give up until you're licked.....
Best Regards,
Snoopy
_________________
the only time you can have too much fuel is if you're on fire...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maverick
Joined: Oct 11, 2002
Posts: 41
From: CYVK and/or CYYC
Posted: 2003-01-22 09:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was probably the most intresting thread ever to be posted here...it actually made me Read on!
_________________
-----------------------------------------
The Liberal Party is a bunch of Deratives of Acceleration. So there. I want to scare ppl on the path at the end of 13 in CAH3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-22 12:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maverick ..mmmm
Yep! Courtney Airpark...1800 feet...King Air A100...they were the days eh?
Navajo's too.
They probably wouldn't believe us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
endless
Joined: Jan 10, 2002
Posts: 798
From: nuclear winter
Posted: 2003-01-22 13:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was indeed a good one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 200
From: Atlantic Canada
Posted: 2003-01-22 14:28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke: one hell of a story. I'll bet there was several yards of seat cushion removed from various nether regions on the ground at Cape Cod.
Regarding the "Big C" thing: you've just reached two thousand feet; wait for the level off. You'll beat it.
God bless.
John
_________________
FixedWing, GoldWing, FlingWing..Life is good!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-22 15:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the encouragement fellow Aviators.
Here's how it works.....
WE HAVE A MAN DOWN
As I was nearing the end of my last chemo I heard that a fellow Aviator had been stricken with the Big C. He was an ex F18 fighter pilot, ex Boeing Captain and then flew Invaders. He was a collegue but we weren't particularly close buddies as we were never based together.
He had a very good Cathay medical plan and I tracked him down through his mother and phoned him at a clinic in Texas. He couldn't thank me enough as I rallied support for him through e-mail and he got lots of calls.
One day he phoned me to tell me how guilty he felt that he never supported me although I was sure he gave me some thought.
I told him I had lots of friends and that he should pass support along one day....not backwards to me..to someone who needed it.
That, my friends, is how it works.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glideslope
Joined: May 24, 2002
Posts: 134
From: YVR
Posted: 2003-01-22 15:49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Driver
Joined: Jan 06, 2002
Posts: 141 Posted: 2003-01-22 16:19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Best of luck Duke, Go get 'em.
Cheers!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rudy
Joined: Jan 04, 2003
Posts: 88
From: BC coast
Posted: 2003-01-22 17:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Lobster story is a good one. Les told me about it a couple of years ago. I remember someone jokingly saying, "at least the lobsters got back to the water!" Les replied, "Yes that's true but what are they gonna do with their pinchers taped shut!" Everybody laughed.
Good luck with your battle Duke!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pratt
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 239
From: YVR
Posted: 2003-01-22 19:38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great writing Duke, and best of luck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
king air guy
Joined: Sep 08, 2002
Posts: 656
From: Calgary, AB
Posted: 2003-01-23 00:04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke....that was one hell of a story, one for the books!!!
I think you missed another calling - author.
As for the Big "C", I wish you all the best. You have our hopes and prayers.
Cheers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 12:03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks King Air Guy...and all of you .. you all help me keep focused.
I sat down last night, fingers poised ready to share another tale but I partook a little too liberally in some "Golden Throat Charmers".
Spring 1983.
I had overstayed my visit to Australia but was still confident to get a seat on the Budworm Program. I needed the money as my many wives had shared in the booty from previous adventures.It was a six week project and big bucks. Spray pilots ,some Swiss, Americans, Chechs, poles, Aussies and South Africans to name a few.Frenchmen too. They all came to fly the TBM Avenger, a 2000HP US Navy torpedo bomber.We sprayed the whole forest of New Brunswick in formations of three at about fifty feet.In the past there had been about thirty TBM's on the job, spread out on bases with usually nine on each base.
The turns at the end of the line were like mini airshows and dangerous. Imagine pulling 17,000lbs around at 2 G's...that made the slipstream 34,000lbs....enter it and you were a smoking hole in the jungle.
I was number two to a tall, hawkfaced, old ex F104 Starfighter pilot who had an ego as big as his balls. Number three was Farrell and he was not happy with the maintainence. None of us were..hell...at a hundred bucks a trip...Shutup.
We were spraying in the hills to the North and Farrells plane was running rough. If one guy went back we all went back...."Shutup" it was hinted to him..A hundred bucks.
But he had had enough and quit leaving his plane sitting on the ramp. Frank and I were elated as we could do faster turns with two airplanes and make good dough. The competetion was brutal. Once off line we would look for another team, also calling off line and, without any calls, just push it up to METO. First team midfield on the carrier break had the right of way. We always wanted the last load of the day. It was not uncommon to duke it out in the mess shack after flying.
MORE TO FOLLOW, OVER!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 12:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4AM
They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn.
We would arise, not from sleep but from passing out from too many warm Moosehead and bullshit stories. A coffee helped a little but then we went to the flightline in the dark, flashlights stabbing the dark as we did half-hearted walk-arounds.
Then...there is NOTHING.....I say..NOTHING more horny than nine Avengers running up in the dark..18,000 horsepower growling..orange flames turning blue as they warmed up. The first team would move into the pits to await the dawn, when the C172 pointer planes would take of and go to the block. We had two per team. They navigated for us online and we simply lined them up.
DAWN. We launch. Frank lines up with his 625US gallons of poison and roars off, vortices trailling from the slots at the wingtips. He banks right and I am powering up already, full power..49"...52" if you need it through the gate..tail up six inches and a slight tug and she breaks free.Frank banks back for the joinup. Gear up...First power reduction....first power reduction...Shit!..it's stuck....accelerating...I go scorching by Frank.."Slow down" he yells. "Can't..throttle's stuck" says I.
200kts.. I turn on downwind...250Kts.
I look at the Dunphy Airstrip..3000feet. No Way!
"Go to Chatham" growls Frank calmly..."050 degrees roughly"
I set a rough course..I can't remember what the final speed was because I was focussed on the cylinder head temp along with the oil temp that had already hit redline. I trimmed nose down and left all the right rudder trim in...getting hot in here.
The big chill...it ran up my spine..
"Climb up and jump" suggested another pilot : I see some smoke"
I looked at the 'chute...US Navy 1952 ..it read.
I stayed low...if it cuaght fire I wanted to ditch..the landscape was flat but flashing by in a blur.
The US Navy manual says you can use full power for two minutes..in wartime that is.
It's now about five minutes. I'm on my own.
She's screaming..was that a puff of smoke?
I could see the base off in the distance. Frank had already looked up the frequency for me...thanks Frank.
"Chatham Tower Zebra Two inbound..I have a problem"
"Say your position" says the controller.
I have lied in the past by saying I said "DESPERATE!" It got a few laughs.
"Crossing a powerline NE bound" is all I knew.
"What is you plan?"...they have every right to know..I didn't have one.
"Left base 250knots plus" I blurt out. I don't know what he said.I wasn't listening.
I noticed a helicopter hovering at the other end of the runway.
I roll onto base.....miles out.
250 KNOTS ON FINAL
More to follow over.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLguy
Joined: Jul 05, 2002
Posts: 109 Posted: 2003-01-23 13:02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke all the best to you! Just another walk in the park! Did you ever work with the legendary Agent Orange on the TBM's. The guy who introduced his wife, "Boys meet the Crank, Crank meet the Boys". I flew Canso's with him in the early 80's. Never a dull moment!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Curious
Joined: Nov 06, 2001
Posts: 654
From: Frozen North
Posted: 2003-01-23 13:43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small world...I knew the Slaz from his brief foray into the arctic, but now I know that I know you too! I've got a picture of your machine (on the ramp in YCH) downstairs in the bar. All my little air cadets got hero shots in front of it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 13:48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where's YCH?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian
Joined: Nov 22, 2001
Posts: 722
From: From: From: ^C
Posted: 2003-01-23 13:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://map.aeroplanner.com/mapping/char ... =7&id=CYCH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snoopy
Joined: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 437 Posted: 2003-01-23 13:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miramichi, NB? CYCH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 14:02
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRIAN!!!!!Thank you so much...
You could be of enormous help to me.
The story was in a Newcastle paper.....FRONT PAGE I believe.
I need to go into their archives....
Read on and you'll see why.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 14:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I meant ..
JUST CURIOUS....my TBM in Miramachi?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planevagabond
Joined: Jan 23, 2003
Posts: 2
From: Ottawa
Posted: 2003-01-23 16:16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep the shiny side up my friend. We are all with you for round two of this fight.
Cheers Mate
The Gang here at FAVC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 200
From: Atlantic Canada
Posted: 2003-01-23 18:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant posted:
"...tall, hawkfaced, old ex F104 Starfighter pilot..."
COMMENT
I gotta ask...Was that Ralphie?
Duke: I was in Boston Brook several times '81-'84 working for the company that owned the airstrip. And you're right: the sound of those round engines running up was magic.
"Just like double u, double u two"
John
_________________
FixedWing, GoldWing, FlingWing..Life is good!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
zero
Joined: Oct 17, 2001
Posts: 113
From: courtenay, b.c.
Posted: 2003-01-23 20:14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good to hear a few words about working the Budworm. Spent the summer of '88 flying in the 172's watching you guys muscling those beasts around - impressive. Three accidents, 1 fatal, in the span of three months seemed a tad high but made for a most exciting summer and gave me new respect for the cowboys in the cockpits. Heard FPL got rid of the TBM's for Ag-tractors.
Looking forward to the next chapter.
Zed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Curious
Joined: Nov 06, 2001
Posts: 654
From: Frozen North
Posted: 2003-01-23 23:24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUST CURIOUS....my TBM in Miramachi?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow cheat line, orange tail...called final about 30 miles out? Yeah, your TBM!
I'll scan the picture and send it to you. I'd post it here, but that would reveal my secret identity...no wait, I was skinny and had all my hair in this, so no-one will recognize me
And Schooner, if you're talkin' Ralph Annis...You mean he flew something else besides Sabres? Didn't know he had any other kind of stories!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-01-23 23:45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
It was Frank Gillan...from Comox.....fierce competitor!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schooner69
Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 200
From: Atlantic Canada
Posted: 2003-01-24 07:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And Schooner, if you're talkin' Ralph Annis...You mean he flew something else besides Sabres? Didn't know he had any other kind of stories!"
COMMENT
I don't know all the aircraft he flew, but I know he was on '104s and I met up with him in Juniper one day so he had at least one year on budworm.
Duke: I know Frank's name, but I don't think I ever met him.
