Did you ever have a "moment" when flying
Knowing Truckies as I do....Dog Leash Chain would be more than big enough to protect their Wedding Tackle!
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The Chains that Bind Us.
I hope you'll all excuse this long, sorry story of Chain Measurement (being excerpts from my Posts on "Pilot's Brevet" - all on Page 162).
Danny.
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p.162 #3222
Danny intends to Put to Sea - but not far.
A few weeks before we finished flying my prayers were answered. I was allocated a 24 (?) ft "Bomb Scow" (whatever that might be). I'd hoped for an inflatable of some sort, which could be kept on shore and easily launched from the beach at Moplah Bay (just the other side of the Fort). But this was better than nothing. However, before this vessel could appear, I had to prepare moorings to which it could be tethered.
Three laterite blocks of specified dimensions had to be made and sunk offshore in a equilateral triangle of given size. They had to be connected together by chain cable bolted into each block, then coming together to a single chain and buoy. The Length (but not the size) of the chain was not specified. That, I suppose, would depend on the size of the boat.
While the CDRE were casting about for the laterite, and masons to cut it to size, it fell to me to produce the chain from RAF sources. No mariners being to hand, Sgt Williams and I looked down the Stores lists, and decided that one-inch chain should be about right for a vessel of our size. The demand went in to the appropriate M.U. (Union Jack is now convulsed with laughter if he is reading this).
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#3224
The Chains that Bind Us.
Union Jack,
Thanks for the tip - Wiki gives a photo of this enormous flat-bottomed thing. I'd got the length wrong for a start (31 ft was the smallest on offer). Lord help us if we'd actually got one !
And thanks for keeping quiet, so as not to shoot my fox (for I'm sure you know what is coming next). We haven't heard the rest of the story !
All in good time, Cheers, Danny.
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#3227
Danny and the final Wrap-up.
About the middle of April I got my "Marching Orders". Not for release yet, but as my (extended) overseas tour had time-expired. 1340 Flight had ceased to have any purpose (except to act as a holding unit for the aircrew officers who had come out just after VJ and would have to wait some time yet before shipping was available for their return home).
My one-and-only Command had lasted for only 13 months, but it had been interesting. Alex would not need to catch up with much paperwork, but I would still leave him a problem (in the shape of an unintended legacy to the good folk of Cannanore). It happened like this:
A couple of days before I left, there was an agitated message from the local Stationmaster. My chain had arrived ! It was taking up a lot of room, could I please come and take it away ? I went to have a look. No, I couldn't ! When we put the demand in, we'd blithely assumed the "one inch" referred to the overall size of a single link (well, it stands to reason, doesn't it ?)
Unfortunately, it doesn't ! - It's the thickness of the rod from which the links are forged that counts ! What we had specified would serve as anchor cable for the Queen Mary (or at least a Mersey ferry) ! And IIRC, there was 100 fathoms of it. Of course the stuff shouldn't have been sent at all; it was the M.U's mistake as we'd cancelled the order. We signalled them to come and take it back.....
............Meanwhile there was this monstrous pile taking up half the goods yard, and the Stationmaster was tearing his hair out. I left for Bombay and never did hear the end of it. But everyone was in the winding-down phase, chaos reigned and I would not be at all surprised if the huge heap of rusting chain is there yet.
By now it will be covered in vegetation and may have acquired religious significance. Mothers will tell their babes tales of the Great Danny Sahib, who once flew in a Huge Iron Bird from their maidan and in gratitude for his safe return to Earth had caused this stupa to be raised in honour of whichever God ruled the roost in those parts.
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Danny.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
p.162 #3222
Danny intends to Put to Sea - but not far.
A few weeks before we finished flying my prayers were answered. I was allocated a 24 (?) ft "Bomb Scow" (whatever that might be). I'd hoped for an inflatable of some sort, which could be kept on shore and easily launched from the beach at Moplah Bay (just the other side of the Fort). But this was better than nothing. However, before this vessel could appear, I had to prepare moorings to which it could be tethered.
Three laterite blocks of specified dimensions had to be made and sunk offshore in a equilateral triangle of given size. They had to be connected together by chain cable bolted into each block, then coming together to a single chain and buoy. The Length (but not the size) of the chain was not specified. That, I suppose, would depend on the size of the boat.
While the CDRE were casting about for the laterite, and masons to cut it to size, it fell to me to produce the chain from RAF sources. No mariners being to hand, Sgt Williams and I looked down the Stores lists, and decided that one-inch chain should be about right for a vessel of our size. The demand went in to the appropriate M.U. (Union Jack is now convulsed with laughter if he is reading this).
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
#3224
The Chains that Bind Us.
Union Jack,
Thanks for the tip - Wiki gives a photo of this enormous flat-bottomed thing. I'd got the length wrong for a start (31 ft was the smallest on offer). Lord help us if we'd actually got one !
And thanks for keeping quiet, so as not to shoot my fox (for I'm sure you know what is coming next). We haven't heard the rest of the story !
All in good time, Cheers, Danny.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
#3227
Danny and the final Wrap-up.
About the middle of April I got my "Marching Orders". Not for release yet, but as my (extended) overseas tour had time-expired. 1340 Flight had ceased to have any purpose (except to act as a holding unit for the aircrew officers who had come out just after VJ and would have to wait some time yet before shipping was available for their return home).
My one-and-only Command had lasted for only 13 months, but it had been interesting. Alex would not need to catch up with much paperwork, but I would still leave him a problem (in the shape of an unintended legacy to the good folk of Cannanore). It happened like this:
A couple of days before I left, there was an agitated message from the local Stationmaster. My chain had arrived ! It was taking up a lot of room, could I please come and take it away ? I went to have a look. No, I couldn't ! When we put the demand in, we'd blithely assumed the "one inch" referred to the overall size of a single link (well, it stands to reason, doesn't it ?)
Unfortunately, it doesn't ! - It's the thickness of the rod from which the links are forged that counts ! What we had specified would serve as anchor cable for the Queen Mary (or at least a Mersey ferry) ! And IIRC, there was 100 fathoms of it. Of course the stuff shouldn't have been sent at all; it was the M.U's mistake as we'd cancelled the order. We signalled them to come and take it back.....
............Meanwhile there was this monstrous pile taking up half the goods yard, and the Stationmaster was tearing his hair out. I left for Bombay and never did hear the end of it. But everyone was in the winding-down phase, chaos reigned and I would not be at all surprised if the huge heap of rusting chain is there yet.
By now it will be covered in vegetation and may have acquired religious significance. Mothers will tell their babes tales of the Great Danny Sahib, who once flew in a Huge Iron Bird from their maidan and in gratitude for his safe return to Earth had caused this stupa to be raised in honour of whichever God ruled the roost in those parts.
*******************
Last edited by Danny42C; 13th Mar 2017 at 16:52. Reason: Finish Editing
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Danny, digressing
Indeed, my father sailed immediately after VJ Day and was away for two years.
As far as this
he received a huge saloon carpet for the ship to replace a perfectly serviceable one as well as the ship itself being due for scrap when it returned to UK. The carpet graced our living room for at least 15 years.
who had come out just after VJ and would have to wait some time yet before shipping was available for their return home).
As far as this
Of course the stuff shouldn't have been sent at all
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Good to see you back AA62.
The 5000 lb chains are 3/16 rod and 19 links in a foot.
not a touch on Danny's one inch chain!
I am not a Pilot but I have a couple of stories for here. Perhaps fit the bill - a little knowledge is dangerous!
on way back from Farnborough to RAE Bedford in a Piper twin, sat on the pilots shoulder (as you do) I looked up and saw the fuel gauges reading MT. Turned to my mate and said "perhaps we are going to call in at LHR to get some" Just about to taxi onto the runway I was about to tap the pilot on the shoulder. He reached down operated some levers and the dials swung to Full. Thank for that.
Anyway we took off and after a few minutes the pilot turned to me and mouthed "Have you S#1t?", No not me. I turned again to my mate relaying the question. All of a sudden the Pitot started smacking his leg. It would appear he had not properly extinguished his pipe in his leg map pocket.
The 5000 lb chains are 3/16 rod and 19 links in a foot.
not a touch on Danny's one inch chain!
I am not a Pilot but I have a couple of stories for here. Perhaps fit the bill - a little knowledge is dangerous!
on way back from Farnborough to RAE Bedford in a Piper twin, sat on the pilots shoulder (as you do) I looked up and saw the fuel gauges reading MT. Turned to my mate and said "perhaps we are going to call in at LHR to get some" Just about to taxi onto the runway I was about to tap the pilot on the shoulder. He reached down operated some levers and the dials swung to Full. Thank for that.
Anyway we took off and after a few minutes the pilot turned to me and mouthed "Have you S#1t?", No not me. I turned again to my mate relaying the question. All of a sudden the Pitot started smacking his leg. It would appear he had not properly extinguished his pipe in his leg map pocket.
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All of a sudden the Pitot started smacking his leg.
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dragartist (#125),
Excerpt from "Pilot's Brevet" Thread, p.162 #3222.....
...plus ça change..................
Danny42C.
Excerpt from "Pilot's Brevet" Thread, p.162 #3222.....
.....We'd take the 15cwt "Canvas Tilt" Fordson, we could lower the windsceen flat and enjoy the cooling airflow as we trundled over the rough roads at 20-30. I smoked a pipe in those days, and puffed contentedly as we rattled along. I didn't notice a glowing bit of tobacco which blew out and landed on the (starched) waistband of my shorts.
There a smouldering ring grew unnoticed until it reached flesh. Then I noticed in a big way ! A very amused Sgt helped me beat out the conflagration; I had a very sore tummy for some time and resolved not to drive and smoke in future....
There a smouldering ring grew unnoticed until it reached flesh. Then I noticed in a big way ! A very amused Sgt helped me beat out the conflagration; I had a very sore tummy for some time and resolved not to drive and smoke in future....
Danny42C.
oxenos,
it is very difficult on any 'social media' to convey humour, irony etc. Most attempts usually end up in ever increasing misunderstandings.
it is very difficult on any 'social media' to convey humour, irony etc. Most attempts usually end up in ever increasing misunderstandings.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
