Shackletons
Those were the days when AFCs were awarded almost immediately for flying derring-do. Another one was to 'Pop' Gladstone following his crash on Culloden Moor - another Shack, again with only one or two still turning, half the tail missing after being taken out by one engine that 'fell' off, but using the light of the burning wing to see a space to force land in.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Arthur Vine. Don't know the story though.
Then there was the late Pete Binstead. Out of Stavangar IIRC, can't remember the exercise. Lost one and then a second one on the AEW2. As usual weather was dog sh1t in southern Norway and Scotland. He took it up to Tromso or Trondheim, something like that anyway. I know the others were cutting rough too and he may have shut down a 3rd or put it to idle.
Anyway the the grateful thanks of the crew he got it down safely in a snow storm. The aircraft needed 4 engine changes and of course a new load of AvGas. This had to be driven up by road tanker and ferry. Sadly the tanker driver died en route.
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Re the late Pete Binstead's Norway eye-opener, it was Bodo-Andoya (or vice-versa). On the way from one to the other with 19 POB (full) and maxed out panniers, the No 1 engine started overheating. No probs, shut it down and carry on with three. Then the No 2 CSU packed in. Shut that one down as well. Situation now critical with two feathered on one side and a heavy aircraft over inhospitable terrain. No's 3 and 4 were at takeoff power for 22 minutes IIRC (rated for 5 max) and didn't let the guys down. Following the landing and engine shutdown, ATC advised the crew to move the aircraft or it would be bulldozed. Restart 1, 3 and 4 to taxi. 1, 3 and 4 engines were changed as well as the CSU for No 2.
Pete and the rest of the crew earned their wets that night.
Re flying on one, I have a picture in a publication issued by the guys at Avro in 1989. The publication was a small numbers run to celibrate the 40th anniversary of the Shacklebomber. The pic shows a Mk 1 with 1, 2 and 3 feathered flying past the Farnborough crowd at about 100+ feet while strapped to an airborne lifeboat. Impressive pic.
camlobe
Pete and the rest of the crew earned their wets that night.
Re flying on one, I have a picture in a publication issued by the guys at Avro in 1989. The publication was a small numbers run to celibrate the 40th anniversary of the Shacklebomber. The pic shows a Mk 1 with 1, 2 and 3 feathered flying past the Farnborough crowd at about 100+ feet while strapped to an airborne lifeboat. Impressive pic.
camlobe
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Camlobe, thanks for the amplification. It would have been Bodo to Andoya as I recall the aircraft went the 'wrong' way, ie further away from Lossie because the weather to the south was cr^p.
As far as I recall Andoya was an unplanned diversion and not a destination.
As far as I recall Andoya was an unplanned diversion and not a destination.
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Pontius,
My pleasure. Wasn't aware of the unfortunate tanker driver. Poor sod.
Seem to remember being advised that there was a Norweigen Sea King on the wingtip for approx 15 minutes, not for support but to mark the site.
camlobe
My pleasure. Wasn't aware of the unfortunate tanker driver. Poor sod.
Seem to remember being advised that there was a Norweigen Sea King on the wingtip for approx 15 minutes, not for support but to mark the site.
camlobe
