>So some said. The fuel transfer systen was identical to that used in the DC-2, DC-3, DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, and DC-9 (with controls being manual in all but the last two, which were electric). That is my recollection. There was evidence at the Inquiry that at start-up the ground crew reported less than full outer tanks as measured by dipstick, but it had been disregarded.
As per my initial post at the top of the thread, I have a relative who worked and flew on them, so would like to think my information source is reliable.
The fuel transfer problem was certainly known of, but "a rather large hole in the cheese", waiting to catch the unwary or fatigued. Palma-Manchester was over four and a half hours in one of these machines.
I also understand that another Argonaut (-HY?) was sent to Boscombe Down for evaluation by the RAE and "Board of Trade", and loaded to emulate the Stockport situation, and the loss of control under asymettric conditions was significant.
It is difficult to describe the effect that such a major loss had on a (then)small and close-knit organisation.
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Last edited by Midland 331; 5th Mar 2007 at 10:04.