Day 25: 1997-06-13
ATW Retro-blog: 1997-06-13 (Day#25)
Anadyr (RU) – – Providenya Bay(UHMD – RU)
267nm; 2h50; Purchase (833) / Cowan (962)
Providenya Bay (RU) - Nome (PAOM – US)
208nm; 2h15; Cowan (962) / Hughes (833)
No breakfast so the last five Yorkie bars on the Islander were consumed [the one shown just the other day must have been Bill’s personal emergency ration]. Fuelling with the Mogas went more efficiently this morning, although the driver did have to be discouraged from smoking whilst surrounded by 120 litres of fuel, all in cans! Even accounts were settled pretty quickly, the airfield staff seemingly now caught up in the adventure and willing the team to make it through to Providenya.
The previous day’s modus operandum was adopted, and the Islander relayed encouraging reports from Providenya ATC. Tony Severs made a number of approaches to the airfield to familiarize himself with the territory, should conditions require a lead plane. He then returned to rejoin the Chippies about ten miles out (those GNC 250s really proving their worth now).
The Islander led the Chipmunks in VMC around an island and along a fjord until about 2 miles out, when fog was encountered. The Chippies then formated on the Islander as Tony Severs led them in to the field, landing long to allow the Chipmunks to decelerate, extend flaps and land behind. There was, allegedly, a moment of drama when one of the Chippies overtook the other on roll-out, urging his colleague to “move over” in no uncertain terms.
The Air Trafficker who had been speaking to the crews came out to meet them on the dispersal and show them a 405 litre drum of Avgas which had been delivered from Nome. Crossing the Bering Strait on Mogas still wasn’t a sensible provision. So was the replacement of all the spark plugs with new ones, the last available unused.
Problems though – remember the ease with which they entered Russia? (see ATW Retro-blog: 1997-05-26.) Now there were problems with leaving, and the prospect of being denied permission. Eventually good sense prevailed and after exchanging some ATW gifts the clearance to depart was granted.
The fog rolled away and the team departed, climbing to 5,000 feet and traversing the Bering Strait over a layer of marine stratus.
Arrival in Nome was a life-changing experience: Air Traffic staff rushed to fetch burgers and fries for the starving team; customs formalities were efficiently completed, though the staff were surprised to find British personnel arriving from the West; showers, the first in eight days; washing facilities (those flight suits needed it!); and a second meal at the end of the day before crashing out in accommodation held for ATC staff, the only hotel being already full. [You really need to read the ‘unofficial’ ATW book to fully appreciate this].
A Chipmunk ventures along the coast towards Anadyr.
A last look at Providenya Bay and at Russia.
Ced and Tony closed-up for Bill to take what is surely THE iconic photo of the whole venture.
The Chippies on the ground at Nome.
[I note that this photo reveals that the mast mounted in the rear cockpit (Lower-right), so smartly observed by Rod Blievers [“Doesn't the wind sock/mast stuck in the rear cockpit slow you down?” 2017-05-15 @ 02:58] is in fact one more of the ATW mods [ Chris Lee-McCloud “Charlie, is there much evidence of the long-range mods? 2017-05-27 @ 05:12]), as is evident in the Nome frame, where the Stars and Stripes has been hoisted as a courtesy flag. I hadn’t previously realized this! ;-) ]
Day 25: UHMA-UHMD-PAOM 475 nm, 5.08 hrs, GS 94 kts. Cumulative 7352 nm, 76.41 hrs, Average GS 96 kts.
Last edited by India Four Two; 20th Jun 2017 at 07:06.