Global Aviation Magazine : 60 Years of the Hercules
smudge,
bring on your tale. Omega V6 your pics would be most welcome.
I recall that the USAF used to call Fayeteville 'Fayetnam' !
The two VRs I did involved some rather energetic parties. The one I did when the RAF only sent a couple of umpires we were 'adopted' by the Canadians as I recall. Great days, great times.
bring on your tale. Omega V6 your pics would be most welcome.
I recall that the USAF used to call Fayeteville 'Fayetnam' !
The two VRs I did involved some rather energetic parties. The one I did when the RAF only sent a couple of umpires we were 'adopted' by the Canadians as I recall. Great days, great times.
AA62,
Thanks for that and apologies if I have posted this previously. It's just a tale of GE life "down route".
I can only proffer this as something Gopher01 might recognise as "part of the job". I ask only that I'm not looking for sympathy, just to relate a trip from my experience as an AGE.
Having returned from an SF detachment to the gulf on New Year's Eve 1990. As a result of some "injuries received", the medics decided I was unfit to carry out my duties as a GE, and put me "sick at home", UFN ! After a week or so of being bollocked by SWMBO, I was grateful for the call from SAGE (Senior Aircraft Ground Engineer) asking if I felt well enough to do a trip for him. I was grateful, and surprised when he informed me that I was to be GE on a trip to Travis AFB to collect a load of the latest sidewinders for our air defence assets in the gulf. The trip outbound was, as always, pretty standard, with a night stop Gander followed by a refuel on the way to Travis. On arrival at Travis, I, like the rest of the crew looked forward to a night out, it was not to be. The Cargo pack had snags, HF1 had snags, No3 prop had snags, and as we had a serious need to RTB with our load, they needed fixing. So, I followed a logical path and fixed each in order. The hardest bit was finding a gasket and clamp for the one blown on the Cargo pack FCSOV, surely an easy task on a station that had both C130s and 141s based there ? Try waking them up at 0200 local. I got the parts I needed and eventually had everything ready for testing. With a couple of hours to go before the crew returning to the aircraft I decided that there was little point in going to the hotel, and got my head down on the top bunk.
On arrival I explained to the Eng that we needed to do a leak check on the cargo bay pack using the GTC to ensure it was OK. The prop snag was simple and required only the observation of the crew during start up to certify the fix. HF snag, well, I enjoyed the chat with Mrs Smudge. So, tired, and looking forward to getting into my hammock after take off, I mounted the ladder on the RH side, to leak check the cargo pack. That was when this turned up;
Biggie eh ? You can guess, he bit me, and by God did it hurt. I brushed it off and remember seeing the sting lying along my forearm still pumping, I then pulled the thing out. Anyway, job to be done, leak checks complete, 700 signed up and off we head for a St Johns night stop, with a refuel at Offutt AFB. Once airborne, I get in to the hammock, looking forward to a few hours sleep after around 14 hours graft. Poor thing I hear you all say (or am I deluding myself ?).
On landing at Offutt, I'm woken by the loadie, who remarks on the size of my "hulk like" left arm. The Nav, always the GEs best mate says I need to see the Flight Surgeon. To say I was alarmed at my sudden ability to stretch the capability of my grow bag would be an understatement. Our Nav took me to the USAF flight surgeon who promptly grounded me. I explained that I was not part of the operating crew (our recovery was via St John, then back to Lyneham. The Flight Eng could put it to bed at St John if necessary). I was grounded, and required to report to the Medic Major the next day, regardless. I now faced a problem that a few GEs may have encountered, being abandoned at a location where the RAF tends not to visit. Gone were the days when Beagle and his Vulcans routinely visited Offutt. On returning to the aircraft our Flt Eng (bless him) had refuelled and done the turn round. Proof positive that I was just a hangar on, and "not required on voyage" ! The Nav informed the Captain of the doctors decision and the "master race" went in to a huddle. I was informed that the Captain would contact ATFOC of the situation before getting airborne for the night stop St Johns. Having done that, I was gobsmacked when, on his return, I was informed that ATFOC had instructed him to night stop Offutt and depart the next day, when the GE had been cleared by the medical staff. Blow me down, somebody saw the problem from my point of view. The night stop was crap. With the Flt Eng putting the aircraft to bed, Smudge of the giant left arm, and pumped full of god knows what by the USAF medics, decided to have a beer n the bar with the lads, before the SSS routine. The lads said I fell off the bar stool like a sack of spuds. There endeth my night stop Offutt ( the crew did later inform me that they looked all over the place and the only bar open that night was in our hotel, which closed when they decided to go looking for other bars) wasn't it always thus ?
We picked up our route the next day, and did a long day flagging Gander for Lyneham. I think only a few hours behind scheduled time. On arrival at the GEs section I noted that I was outbound for the Riyadh Det the next day, where, our good friend Gopher01 welcomed me as he was the GE team leader at the time. I only had one other chance at California, and that was the El Centro Detachment. But I would have enjoyed downtown Travis equally. I seriously dislike wasps these days !!!
Smudge
Thanks for that and apologies if I have posted this previously. It's just a tale of GE life "down route".
I can only proffer this as something Gopher01 might recognise as "part of the job". I ask only that I'm not looking for sympathy, just to relate a trip from my experience as an AGE.
Having returned from an SF detachment to the gulf on New Year's Eve 1990. As a result of some "injuries received", the medics decided I was unfit to carry out my duties as a GE, and put me "sick at home", UFN ! After a week or so of being bollocked by SWMBO, I was grateful for the call from SAGE (Senior Aircraft Ground Engineer) asking if I felt well enough to do a trip for him. I was grateful, and surprised when he informed me that I was to be GE on a trip to Travis AFB to collect a load of the latest sidewinders for our air defence assets in the gulf. The trip outbound was, as always, pretty standard, with a night stop Gander followed by a refuel on the way to Travis. On arrival at Travis, I, like the rest of the crew looked forward to a night out, it was not to be. The Cargo pack had snags, HF1 had snags, No3 prop had snags, and as we had a serious need to RTB with our load, they needed fixing. So, I followed a logical path and fixed each in order. The hardest bit was finding a gasket and clamp for the one blown on the Cargo pack FCSOV, surely an easy task on a station that had both C130s and 141s based there ? Try waking them up at 0200 local. I got the parts I needed and eventually had everything ready for testing. With a couple of hours to go before the crew returning to the aircraft I decided that there was little point in going to the hotel, and got my head down on the top bunk.
On arrival I explained to the Eng that we needed to do a leak check on the cargo bay pack using the GTC to ensure it was OK. The prop snag was simple and required only the observation of the crew during start up to certify the fix. HF snag, well, I enjoyed the chat with Mrs Smudge. So, tired, and looking forward to getting into my hammock after take off, I mounted the ladder on the RH side, to leak check the cargo pack. That was when this turned up;
Biggie eh ? You can guess, he bit me, and by God did it hurt. I brushed it off and remember seeing the sting lying along my forearm still pumping, I then pulled the thing out. Anyway, job to be done, leak checks complete, 700 signed up and off we head for a St Johns night stop, with a refuel at Offutt AFB. Once airborne, I get in to the hammock, looking forward to a few hours sleep after around 14 hours graft. Poor thing I hear you all say (or am I deluding myself ?).
On landing at Offutt, I'm woken by the loadie, who remarks on the size of my "hulk like" left arm. The Nav, always the GEs best mate says I need to see the Flight Surgeon. To say I was alarmed at my sudden ability to stretch the capability of my grow bag would be an understatement. Our Nav took me to the USAF flight surgeon who promptly grounded me. I explained that I was not part of the operating crew (our recovery was via St John, then back to Lyneham. The Flight Eng could put it to bed at St John if necessary). I was grounded, and required to report to the Medic Major the next day, regardless. I now faced a problem that a few GEs may have encountered, being abandoned at a location where the RAF tends not to visit. Gone were the days when Beagle and his Vulcans routinely visited Offutt. On returning to the aircraft our Flt Eng (bless him) had refuelled and done the turn round. Proof positive that I was just a hangar on, and "not required on voyage" ! The Nav informed the Captain of the doctors decision and the "master race" went in to a huddle. I was informed that the Captain would contact ATFOC of the situation before getting airborne for the night stop St Johns. Having done that, I was gobsmacked when, on his return, I was informed that ATFOC had instructed him to night stop Offutt and depart the next day, when the GE had been cleared by the medical staff. Blow me down, somebody saw the problem from my point of view. The night stop was crap. With the Flt Eng putting the aircraft to bed, Smudge of the giant left arm, and pumped full of god knows what by the USAF medics, decided to have a beer n the bar with the lads, before the SSS routine. The lads said I fell off the bar stool like a sack of spuds. There endeth my night stop Offutt ( the crew did later inform me that they looked all over the place and the only bar open that night was in our hotel, which closed when they decided to go looking for other bars) wasn't it always thus ?
We picked up our route the next day, and did a long day flagging Gander for Lyneham. I think only a few hours behind scheduled time. On arrival at the GEs section I noted that I was outbound for the Riyadh Det the next day, where, our good friend Gopher01 welcomed me as he was the GE team leader at the time. I only had one other chance at California, and that was the El Centro Detachment. But I would have enjoyed downtown Travis equally. I seriously dislike wasps these days !!!
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 14th May 2015 at 21:37.
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Smudj
Not being an entomologist I would still hazard a guess as that wasp was in fact a hornet. V. Toxic.
You should have stuck with the El Centro Dets. Over the dozen or so that I did there was never one with a sting in its tail........Oh wait a minute!
Not being an entomologist I would still hazard a guess as that wasp was in fact a hornet. V. Toxic.
You should have stuck with the El Centro Dets. Over the dozen or so that I did there was never one with a sting in its tail........Oh wait a minute!
Yep chaps, it's actually called a Giant Asian Hornet, and can grow up to 3 inches long. If you let it get enough venom in you, it can kill. I think that year they were starting to have reports of them in the U.S. I believe there are now reports That it could well come to come to the UK. I do know it was bloody painful.
Smudge
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Jolene
This one didn't have a sting but "Jolene" lived behind the Ops room door in El Centro and they said "She only bites if you disturb her". She remained undisturbed for 3 weeks.
Ahh Doug,
After stumbling around a very dark jungle with you once, on the hunt for a free beer, your propensity to produce monsters does not surprise me. My fellow GE from that trip one T****r T*****n sends his felicitations. I know that departures have been delayed because of snakes in the nose gear bay (Belize as I recall) and large rodents eating the wiring looms. I'm sure that fellow contributors might have experience of such occurrences. Let's be hearing them then gentlemen.
Smudge
After stumbling around a very dark jungle with you once, on the hunt for a free beer, your propensity to produce monsters does not surprise me. My fellow GE from that trip one T****r T*****n sends his felicitations. I know that departures have been delayed because of snakes in the nose gear bay (Belize as I recall) and large rodents eating the wiring looms. I'm sure that fellow contributors might have experience of such occurrences. Let's be hearing them then gentlemen.
Smudge
Coff,
What a bag of worms you may have opened here. Let me explain. There was an aerosol device issued for use down route, which was quite a small aerosol, which was operated by depressing the trigger, and departing rapidly. The trigger was locked open once operated by a lock, and it was known, as I'm sure AA62 will confirm as a "one shot". Basically because once it was triggered it couldn't be stopped. It's purpose was to de insectivise ????? The aircraft to meet customs regulations in various locations around the world. I was fortunate enough to find myself in control of a few of these on a family camping trip in Scotland, they worked.
With me so far ? So, I'm on a trip that gives us a rather attractive night stop in Bermuda, at the Grotto Beach, not the previous pink palace we used to use. A high class establishment which offered a bar in a sea cave, an opportunity to carry out most of the Before Flight inspection by binoculars (no honest I didn't) and individual rooms in thatched roofed basha's. Our loady, a most memorable lady C***s U**y, had managed to acquire a one shot for each of us, and, suggested that firing it in our room, before reporting for the first dark and stormy, would ensure that we would not be bothered by bugs overnight. I think we all followed her advice. And we're surprised at the number of thatch occupants that littered the room floors on our return, the surprise came with the screams from Mz U***'s room when the dying mass confronted her. It later transpired that she had been greedy and used 3 one shots for her room.
DDT ? Not sure what was in it Coff, it was very effective. I'm sure AA62 will know what it was. C***s U**y was a lot better looking than he was though. Anyone else remember her ?
Smudge
What a bag of worms you may have opened here. Let me explain. There was an aerosol device issued for use down route, which was quite a small aerosol, which was operated by depressing the trigger, and departing rapidly. The trigger was locked open once operated by a lock, and it was known, as I'm sure AA62 will confirm as a "one shot". Basically because once it was triggered it couldn't be stopped. It's purpose was to de insectivise ????? The aircraft to meet customs regulations in various locations around the world. I was fortunate enough to find myself in control of a few of these on a family camping trip in Scotland, they worked.
With me so far ? So, I'm on a trip that gives us a rather attractive night stop in Bermuda, at the Grotto Beach, not the previous pink palace we used to use. A high class establishment which offered a bar in a sea cave, an opportunity to carry out most of the Before Flight inspection by binoculars (no honest I didn't) and individual rooms in thatched roofed basha's. Our loady, a most memorable lady C***s U**y, had managed to acquire a one shot for each of us, and, suggested that firing it in our room, before reporting for the first dark and stormy, would ensure that we would not be bothered by bugs overnight. I think we all followed her advice. And we're surprised at the number of thatch occupants that littered the room floors on our return, the surprise came with the screams from Mz U***'s room when the dying mass confronted her. It later transpired that she had been greedy and used 3 one shots for her room.
DDT ? Not sure what was in it Coff, it was very effective. I'm sure AA62 will know what it was. C***s U**y was a lot better looking than he was though. Anyone else remember her ?
Smudge
Come on Coff, stop dangling carrots. Out with your story of aerosol experiments in the Chippie. We are all old enough to accept deviances and other perversions which might have enhanced your aviating experience. Having never worked out how to steer the bugger on the ground, I'm sure some chemical assistance might have helped.
Smudge
Smudge
Last edited by smujsmith; 15th May 2015 at 23:16.
smudge,
the aerosols were one shot and did consist of mainly DDT. It was called disinsection if I recall correctly. We used to carry muti use ones but places like Ozz used to insist on proof that the correct amount (it varied by internal size of the a/c) had been used hence the single dose cans. Upon arrival they were supposed to count the cans and that would be that. But more often than not they would spray us with their own foul mixture. In places like NZ you would then have to paddle through some sheep dip as you got off the a/c.
On 48 at Changi you could sometimes find a Swamp Monitor up the nose or main gear. The SOP was to send for 'Pop' who would remove the creature. No doubt it it had a second life as the star item on the day's curry.
the aerosols were one shot and did consist of mainly DDT. It was called disinsection if I recall correctly. We used to carry muti use ones but places like Ozz used to insist on proof that the correct amount (it varied by internal size of the a/c) had been used hence the single dose cans. Upon arrival they were supposed to count the cans and that would be that. But more often than not they would spray us with their own foul mixture. In places like NZ you would then have to paddle through some sheep dip as you got off the a/c.
On 48 at Changi you could sometimes find a Swamp Monitor up the nose or main gear. The SOP was to send for 'Pop' who would remove the creature. No doubt it it had a second life as the star item on the day's curry.
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Jaspers!
My nasty insect story happened in Nairobi, in the early '80s........
We were on a long trip which included 48 hours off in the Kenyan capital. On the day of departure we arrived at the aircraft and started our preparation. The G/E got out the long ladder and proceeded to remove the intake blanks.
A few moments later he came running up to the Flt Deck saying that the No 3 intake was full of 'jaspers'.
It turned out that 'jaspers' is a West Country word for bees and wasps.
I had a look (from a safe distance) and there was, what appeared to be, a very large swarm of bees deep in the intake. We talked to Nairobi Ops and asked for a Pest Control Team but, you've guessed it, there wasn't one.
The Fire Section were unwilling to hose them out (water shortage apparently) so we were left with very few options.
We decided to start the engine and blow them out. This worked perfectly and, apart from the odd 'jasper' flying around looking dazed, the intake was clear. We continued with our checks, started the remaining engines, and taxied out.
However, when we went from Low Speed Ground Idle (LSGI) to Normal Ground Idle (NGI) it was obvious the No 3 was not happy. High TIT and low torque indications which were confirmed by adding a bit of power. We returned to the terminal and shut down.
The G/E dropped the compressor stage bleed valves (I can't remember the stages - was it 6th and 10th?) to inspect the compressor blades. The blades were covered with what looked like golden, rock hard, toffee.
A close inspection of the intake showed faint evidence of a honeycomb. It turned out that it wasn't just a swarm of bees........they had had time to build a substantial comb and the honey was now caked on our compressor blades.
What was needed was a compressor wash and, of course, there was no equipment to be had locally. So, the next day, a Cpl Engine Fitter from 'B' Line arrived on the overnight BA flight from LHR.......complete with an engine intake hopper and 2 large bags of crushed walnuts!
The wash and associated servicing schedules were carried out and we were on our way. Because we were on a 'special task' the Cpl Engine Fitter couldn't come with us, so we told him about the party room in the hotel and wished him luck.
He stayed a couple of days before taking a BA flight back. In that time he met a lovely BA stewardess and, in the fullness of time, they married and had a couple of kids.
As they say........It's an ill swarm that blows nobody any good
We were on a long trip which included 48 hours off in the Kenyan capital. On the day of departure we arrived at the aircraft and started our preparation. The G/E got out the long ladder and proceeded to remove the intake blanks.
A few moments later he came running up to the Flt Deck saying that the No 3 intake was full of 'jaspers'.
It turned out that 'jaspers' is a West Country word for bees and wasps.
I had a look (from a safe distance) and there was, what appeared to be, a very large swarm of bees deep in the intake. We talked to Nairobi Ops and asked for a Pest Control Team but, you've guessed it, there wasn't one.
The Fire Section were unwilling to hose them out (water shortage apparently) so we were left with very few options.
We decided to start the engine and blow them out. This worked perfectly and, apart from the odd 'jasper' flying around looking dazed, the intake was clear. We continued with our checks, started the remaining engines, and taxied out.
However, when we went from Low Speed Ground Idle (LSGI) to Normal Ground Idle (NGI) it was obvious the No 3 was not happy. High TIT and low torque indications which were confirmed by adding a bit of power. We returned to the terminal and shut down.
The G/E dropped the compressor stage bleed valves (I can't remember the stages - was it 6th and 10th?) to inspect the compressor blades. The blades were covered with what looked like golden, rock hard, toffee.
A close inspection of the intake showed faint evidence of a honeycomb. It turned out that it wasn't just a swarm of bees........they had had time to build a substantial comb and the honey was now caked on our compressor blades.
What was needed was a compressor wash and, of course, there was no equipment to be had locally. So, the next day, a Cpl Engine Fitter from 'B' Line arrived on the overnight BA flight from LHR.......complete with an engine intake hopper and 2 large bags of crushed walnuts!
The wash and associated servicing schedules were carried out and we were on our way. Because we were on a 'special task' the Cpl Engine Fitter couldn't come with us, so we told him about the party room in the hotel and wished him luck.
He stayed a couple of days before taking a BA flight back. In that time he met a lovely BA stewardess and, in the fullness of time, they married and had a couple of kids.
As they say........It's an ill swarm that blows nobody any good
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I do recall a trip to Belize where myself and the Loady had completed the pre-flight and we were sat on the ramp having a cuppa when we then heard the sound of "clickerty click" brown brogues approaching the aircraft. It surely had to be an Army "hossifer" who had suitably dressed for air travel? He was carrying a shoe box, punched with holes in the side and tied up with string, which suggested that it contained something "alive and well". He asked if he might put it somewhere "safe" until he had checked-in through the passenger terminal. The Loady, D***h H*****d, asked him what was in the box. To which the hofficer replied, "Just a couple of spiders". I'll take care of that, says D***h, just pop the box onto the ground right here. The said hofficer then clickerty clacked across the ramp towards the terminal building. D***h drained his cup, stood up, and then jumped off the ramp and onto the box... jumping up and down onto the box several times for good measure. We're not having those two 
crawling around the freight bay coz we don't have any bicycle clips in the pack-up to respond to the "Beasty Loose on the Flight Deck Checklist"! I don't recall the outcome of what the conversation between the said hofficer and the Loady might have been; I was just pleased that it had been dealt with so delicately.
There was another incident in Belize where one of the crew didn't have an en-suite bathroom at the Fort George. Apparently, there was a huge spider in the corridor bathroom and he therefore took a dump into a sock and chucked it out of his bedroom window. Unbeknown to him, in the dark, there were holes in the toes and it was only the next morning where the evidence of swinging the sock around his head, prior to lobbing it out of the window, were visible on the walls of his hotel room!
crawling around the freight bay coz we don't have any bicycle clips in the pack-up to respond to the "Beasty Loose on the Flight Deck Checklist"! I don't recall the outcome of what the conversation between the said hofficer and the Loady might have been; I was just pleased that it had been dealt with so delicately.There was another incident in Belize where one of the crew didn't have an en-suite bathroom at the Fort George. Apparently, there was a huge spider in the corridor bathroom and he therefore took a dump into a sock and chucked it out of his bedroom window. Unbeknown to him, in the dark, there were holes in the toes and it was only the next morning where the evidence of swinging the sock around his head, prior to lobbing it out of the window, were visible on the walls of his hotel room!
kilwhang - that punch line is worthy of Frank Muir or Dennis Norden punch line from one of their shaggy dog stories at the end of a show (You have to be VERY old to remember them)
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On a trip to the "skid strip" at Cape Canaveral to offload some torpedoes for the Navy, we had arrived early and that the Navy vehicles were still en-route from XYZ to offload them from the aeroplane. Because it was only supposed to be a tech-stop to drop off the load, it was decided that the crew would go to the beach for a swim and a bite to eat. However, one of us had to remain at the aeroplane and so, we drew lots to decide who would stay behind. I (ENG) drew the short straw!
We were parked in the middle of a huge circular ramp and, after half an hour or so, I decided to take a stroll to the edge of the ramp for a smoke. Having got half way across the ramp I heard a vehicle (sirens bellowing) approaching behind me. It was the security guard from a small gatehouse at the entry to the ramp area. "Get in", said the security geezer. Whilst then driving back to his gatehouse he explained that alligators were nesting within the ramp-side drainage ditches! Having arrived at the air-conditioned gatehouse; where we both had a smoke and a cup of coffee; he then asked me if I'd like to see "Matilda"... a nesting alligator? Indeed I would. He pulled out his sidearm and said, "Follow me". Beneath the gatehouse was a drain that went beneath the access road and right there, honest to God, were two yellow blinking eyes within the darkness of the pipe! Having then retreated back to his truck to drive me back to the aeroplane, "Matilda" appeared from the pipe. The said beastie was about fifteen feet long. The security guards parting words, as he dropped me off at the aeroplane, were, "Those critters can run faster than you can so don't even think about going off for a stroll again. If you want another smoke, turn on your Anti-Coll lights and I'll come and pick you up"!
During the next half-hour, just as the Navy trucks appeared, three of those critters came out of hiding to see what was going on. That was when the cavalry arrived to keep the critters at bay!
I drew the short straw... it could've been the last one!
Ciao
We were parked in the middle of a huge circular ramp and, after half an hour or so, I decided to take a stroll to the edge of the ramp for a smoke. Having got half way across the ramp I heard a vehicle (sirens bellowing) approaching behind me. It was the security guard from a small gatehouse at the entry to the ramp area. "Get in", said the security geezer. Whilst then driving back to his gatehouse he explained that alligators were nesting within the ramp-side drainage ditches! Having arrived at the air-conditioned gatehouse; where we both had a smoke and a cup of coffee; he then asked me if I'd like to see "Matilda"... a nesting alligator? Indeed I would. He pulled out his sidearm and said, "Follow me". Beneath the gatehouse was a drain that went beneath the access road and right there, honest to God, were two yellow blinking eyes within the darkness of the pipe! Having then retreated back to his truck to drive me back to the aeroplane, "Matilda" appeared from the pipe. The said beastie was about fifteen feet long. The security guards parting words, as he dropped me off at the aeroplane, were, "Those critters can run faster than you can so don't even think about going off for a stroll again. If you want another smoke, turn on your Anti-Coll lights and I'll come and pick you up"!
During the next half-hour, just as the Navy trucks appeared, three of those critters came out of hiding to see what was going on. That was when the cavalry arrived to keep the critters at bay!
I drew the short straw... it could've been the last one!
Ciao
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Open season then Chaps ... The topic is 'Alberts Stowaway Critters' ... Along with any hilarious remedial actions 
So ... Any 'Snakes on Planes'
So ... Any 'Snakes on Planes'
Watched a 3ft couleuvre rocket up the outside wall of the house into the eaves the other day. Fortunately non-poisonous, and supposed to eat mice - wish it would get a bigger appetite!
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Once again in Belize... having poked my head into the nosewheel bay to check the brake accumulator pressure, there was a beastie sat atop of the nosewheel and, being initially alarmed at what it might be, I split my head open whilst retreating in haste. The beastie turned out to be only a "stick insect"! Much mirth all around! I had heard of many other horror stories involving snakes, though, I never did see one in or around the gear.
However, from the rooftop of our hotel in Kathmandu (Op Khana Cascade) one morning whilst having a morning smoke and a cuppa prior to pickup, the hotel staff were fishing out a huge boa constrictor from the swimming pool!
Oh, and on another occasion... on Ambergris Key, when walking along the pier after a fishing trip, the hotel gopher picked up a sea snake with his toes and lobbed it into the air; which ended-up hitting one of our guys on his bare chest. Thankfully, it didn't get the opportunity to take a bite and it fell back into the water. The Nav prodded it with a long stick and it got very pissed-off as it took a bite at the stick. From then onwards I never did take a swim off the jetty again. That was on a one week stopover when there was civil unrest within Belize City and the skipper declared that it was in our best interest to move out of The Fort George Hotel. We (Aunty Betty) rented four light aircraft to take us across to Ambergris Key. Having loaded up our puddle jumper with luggage and beer it then tipped onto its tail! The local pilot said it would be OK when he got aboard to balance it up; which it did. Our take-off run took forever to get airborne and the approach to the grass strip on Ambergris was... interesting! Mind you, we did have Pete F***r on board!
However, from the rooftop of our hotel in Kathmandu (Op Khana Cascade) one morning whilst having a morning smoke and a cuppa prior to pickup, the hotel staff were fishing out a huge boa constrictor from the swimming pool!
Oh, and on another occasion... on Ambergris Key, when walking along the pier after a fishing trip, the hotel gopher picked up a sea snake with his toes and lobbed it into the air; which ended-up hitting one of our guys on his bare chest. Thankfully, it didn't get the opportunity to take a bite and it fell back into the water. The Nav prodded it with a long stick and it got very pissed-off as it took a bite at the stick. From then onwards I never did take a swim off the jetty again. That was on a one week stopover when there was civil unrest within Belize City and the skipper declared that it was in our best interest to move out of The Fort George Hotel. We (Aunty Betty) rented four light aircraft to take us across to Ambergris Key. Having loaded up our puddle jumper with luggage and beer it then tipped onto its tail! The local pilot said it would be OK when he got aboard to balance it up; which it did. Our take-off run took forever to get airborne and the approach to the grass strip on Ambergris was... interesting! Mind you, we did have Pete F***r on board!