Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Blue Water Aviation Rescues VQD
VQD was the last deHavilland Otter ever made. She was a tired old girl already, though. Still, like all Otters, nothing some TLC in the shop couldn't cure, as an Otter is a very robust airplane. She had seen temperatures from -40*C to +40*C. She had flown on wheels, skis, and floats. She had seen wind and snow and hard landings, and lately had a stint flying locals, tourists, freight, and anything you could get into it or tie onto it. She came to us to be leased for the summer. The engine was high-time, so she was used sparingly.
Just after the turn of the century, during the summer, it happened!!! PBUCK!!! My Buddy Ed Gaffray was at the controls and called me on the radio. "I'm going down!", he said. I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach, but I'm sure the feeling in his stomach and pants was times 10!!!! Anyways, he made it safely to a lake ( now called VQD Lake ), and he and his passengers were rescued safely. The aircraft incurred no damage aside from the blown engine.
Over the next few days, the Professors (Art and Don) from Blue Water Aviation, "Skunk Works Division", worked some more of their magic and changed the engine and rescued old VQD from the bush. The last I heard, she was flying the B.C. coast, but her old Pratt and Whitney radial engine has since been made into an anchor, and she now sports a Walter turbine!!!!!
Good thing an Otter can fit an Otter engine......
How come the young guy is watching the old guys work...........???
VQD, Serial# 466, the last Otter made. We don't leave them in the bush
Just after the turn of the century, during the summer, it happened!!! PBUCK!!! My Buddy Ed Gaffray was at the controls and called me on the radio. "I'm going down!", he said. I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach, but I'm sure the feeling in his stomach and pants was times 10!!!! Anyways, he made it safely to a lake ( now called VQD Lake ), and he and his passengers were rescued safely. The aircraft incurred no damage aside from the blown engine.
Over the next few days, the Professors (Art and Don) from Blue Water Aviation, "Skunk Works Division", worked some more of their magic and changed the engine and rescued old VQD from the bush. The last I heard, she was flying the B.C. coast, but her old Pratt and Whitney radial engine has since been made into an anchor, and she now sports a Walter turbine!!!!!
Good thing an Otter can fit an Otter engine......
How come the young guy is watching the old guys work...........???
VQD, Serial# 466, the last Otter made. We don't leave them in the bush
