Canopus - Unbelievable !
My VERY FIRST EVER flight as a trainee BOAC pilot ( actually PiN Nav.)
29th Dec 1958, London-Frankfurt-Rome G-AKGK "Canopus" Capt. Willett.
Straight out of the training school, with my head still ringing from learning about "Soft Iron Rods" as a way of describing aircraft magnetism.
Next day flew Rome - Tripoli - Kano G-ANUC "Clio" Nav. Instructor asked for Astro Course Check across Europe and Med. for sextant practice. Result hopeless, second attempt similar and pilots muttering about unforcast winds blowing them off course whilst attempting to follow NDB's so Nav. Instr. took over the sextant, with similar bizarre result.
On the ground at Tripoli Nav. Instr. sniffed around aircraft and discovered a consignment of iron reinforcing rods for concrete building construction, loaded for and aft in the hold !!
Captain demanded removal, Airline Agent asked how they were to get to Lagos ? Captain said they could go by camel as far as he was concerned, they weren't going on his aircraft on a Sahara crossing !
Magic Moments.