Day 10: 1997-05-29
ATW Retro-blog: 1997-05-29 (Day#10, for those not counting)
More frustration … On arrival at Sheremetyevo airport they’re told that Bykovo has no Avgas and the nearest airfield with any is Kazan, 415nm down-route. For the venture to continue there would be no option but to fuel the Chipmunks with the highest available octane Mogas. (Whilst traversing Russia it became SOP to take-off and approach/land on the wing tanks filled with Avgas and cruise on Mogas from the aux tank.)
Ced Hughes was despatched with jerry cans to make three runs to get the Mogas. The actual fuel cost was about $140, but after charges levied by airport personnel for the driver, gate official, fuel office and ‘security’, it came to a total of $600, for just 36 Imperial gallons. One almost has to admire such inventiveness!
These delays leave insufficient time to launch for Kazan today. Later there appears to be some positive signs when an Air Force Major General gets involved and visits the team in the evening. Perhaps ‘the authorities’ are now taking an interest and wanting to see things succeed.
Corporal Steve Spencer returned to the UK on a commercial flight. Now its down to the core team of five, plus Major Yuri.
Authorization for the journey across Russia, including an exhortation to “help the British Military wherever possible”. In practice, this was oft met with the response “We’re a long way from Moscow here, and we do as we please”!!
Last edited by India Four Two; 16th Jun 2017 at 05:03.