Sundaun
The
PR at 0718 GMT was given as 4 deg 33.5'S, 159 deg 07E.
NUKUMANU Island itself is at:
4 deg 37' S, 159 deg 28'E
The Position of the
USS Ontario according to the US Navy was:
3 deg 05' S, 165 deg 00' E.
The deck log of the
USS Ontario say that at 1030GMT it was at:
2 deg 56' 21"S, 165 deg 22' 54" E
The position given for the
SS Myrtlebank was:
2 deg 20'S, 167 deg 10'E
If we leave NUKUMANU at say 0700 GMT and arrive over the
Ontario at 1030, I make it say: 420 Sm for 3.5 Hours = a G/S of 120 Smph Av..
I make the distance LAE-ONTARIO 1363 Sm through the dogleg of Choiseul, plus the "NAV bust" and if they were at the
Ontario at 1035GMT (lights in sight ahead at 1030 GMT), then the Average G/S over the distance is 128 Smph Their G/S is decaying.
The
SS Myrtlebank was a further 145 miles to the East making the distance 565 Sm delivering a G/S of 161 Mph average.
If my start speed at Nukumanu is 130 Smph to average 161 over the sector , I have to be doing 192 Smph when I am overhead the Myrtlebank (Law of Averages)
Cazalet33 says she has already "busted" her fuel by climbing to 10,000' ...now she busts it again by opening the Taps.....if she wants to do 192 MPH !
On a Long Range Plan that would be the last thing to do.
I have looked very closely at the Groundspeeds and it is my belief that they were low compared to previous flights. Certainly "in the era" and "for the aircraft" being nobbled by a 26 mph wind at Nukumanu and forward certainly would get her attention and Fred's alarm !
My persistence.... well now I am sort of forcibly retired, I suppose I've got nothing better to do... it has only been 23 years.... I have a firm regard for the evidence that has kept me at it. Thanks for the kind remarks....