Borneo Dec 1963
The Army made a booking for 7 REs and hand tools to be taken to a strip upcountry, the load is suitable for a Twin Pioneer, so it is duly tasked. The load arrives at Brunei in a 4 ton truck, and turns out to be 10 pax plus compressors, pneumatic drills, chain saws, jerrycans of petrol etc. The load is checked and found to be 3 times the payload available on that route. Captain info's young RE officer of the problem. The RE knows that there are 14 seats in the TwinPin so can not see a problem. Captain explains that with weight of the aircraft and crew and round trip fuel that payload is what it is. The RE has the answer to that problem. " Only take fuel for the inbound leg and refuel when you get there." Captain explains that there is no fuel at destination. RE replies," Put it in jerrycans and take it with you!" Crew dissolve into fits of laughter and RE Sgt says " Excuse me Sir, could I have a word".