Canoe, Hunt, Fish, and Fly, by Otter

The USS Hornet is a name that has proudly been borne by US Navy ships since 1775. USS Hornet CV-8, an aircraft carrier, was the platform from which Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle launched his B-25s to strike Japan during his famous "Doolittle Raid". USS Hornet CV-12, also an aircraft carrier, flawlessly recovered the astronauts from the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 Lunar Missions.

Today, the name "Hornet" is proudly borne by the US Navy's F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft. The F-18 "Hornet" is the most "lethal" carrier-based attack aircraft in service today.

There is another "warrior" that bears the name hornet, and this one is probably the most "lethal" of all, able to search and destroy. 30 of these warriors can attack and vanquish 30,000 foes in a matter of hours. Unbelievable numbers! Alas, this warrior has one weakness, and can be exploited if adversaries are aware of it. Watch!!!

VIDEO - "Hornets From Hell"!

WEB-SITE - Giant Hornets!


USS Hornet CV-12! 


F/A-18 "Super Hornet"! 


The most "deadly" hornet of all! 

I love the Antonov AN-225 "Mriya" (Ukrainian for "Dream"). A true giant, but amazingly nimble. The heaviest-lift aircraft on earth, it is called the "International Cargo Transporter", and is available for hire, if you have a 250 T payload to move! In aviation circles, the AN-225's nickname is the "Cossack", and is quite fitting.

VIDEO - "Beast From The East" Departure!

If you have 250 T to move, here is where you can charter the AN-225 "Cossack"!

WEB-SITE - Antonov Airlines

AN-225 MRIYA Basic Data:

Maximum cargo capacity: (t) 250

Cruising speed: (km/h) 750-850

Cruising altitude: (km) up to 11.6

Flight range with 200 t of cargo: (km) 4,000

Airfield length: (m) 3,000-3,500

Engines:

type: TRDD D18T

number: x thrust 6 x 23,4

Aircraft external dimensions (m):

length 84.0

wing span 88.4

height 18.1

Cargo hold dimension (m):

length x width x height 43.3 x 6.4 x 4.4

floor area (m2) 280

volume (m3) 1300

Crew: (people) 6


"She-Beast" from the "East"! 

A couple of days back we saw the tragedy unfold as a Grumman Mallard suffered catastrophic failure and plummeted into the sea. Today we see a video of the Mallard's little sister, the Grumman Goose. The Grumman Goose is a great flying boat with a long "storied" history. Many of these aircraft still ply the British Columbia coast and elsewhere to this day. It was one of the original water-bombers, as bags of water would be dropped manually from it's "bow-hatch" over a fire. I have information that the sequence in this video was a "landing" gone bad. After watching it myself, I believe it was a "take-off" gone bad. The aircraft is in a confined area, and I believe the pilot was planning on being "on the step" and then making a turn and continuing the take-off through the channel. As you can see, the "sponsons" are 2/3 of the way up, which would give him more wing angle as he makes his turn. If he were landing, the sponsons would have been down. As he makes his turn, he just "digs" too much, and loses control. Quite a sight to see, especially if you were one of the viewers from the beach!

VIDEO - Grumman Goose "Gets Cooked"!

*** CHECK THIS OUT ***

This is a reproduction of the specification sheet that was part of the original promotional package sent out in 1936 when the Goose was first marketed. The original resides in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum archives.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 1st., 1936

SPECIFICATIONS
THE GRUMMAN "G-21" AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE DATA ["7500" in handwriting]

Airplane Type: 6 Place Amphibian Monoplane
Number of Engines Used: Two
Length: 38' 3"
Span (Wing): 49' 0"
Height Overall (Tail on Ground): 12' 2"
Wing Area: 375 sq. ft.
Hamilton Fixed Pitch Metal propellers: Yes ["Contr." in handwriting]
Wing Landing Flaps: Yes
Cabin Soundproofing: Yes
Fuselage Material: All Metal
Wing Material: All Metal Structure
Empennage, except movable surfaces: All Metal
Rudder and Elevators: Metal Fabric Covered
Ailerons: Metal Fabric Covered
Flaps: All Metal
Shock Absorber Units: Bendix

AIRPLANES PERFORMANCE

(With Full Gross Weight)
Cruising Speed @ Sea Level: 150 MPH
Landing Speed @ Sea Level (Flaps Down): 60 MPH
Cruising Range @ 150 MPH: 500 Miles

ENGINE DATA

Engine Make: Pratt & Whitney
Engine Type & Cooling System: Radial Aircooled
Number of Cylinders: Nine
Engine Model Number (Direct Drive): Wasp Jr. "S.B."
Engine Blower & Compression Ratio: 10 to 1; 6 to 1
Engine Overall Diameter: 45 3/4 inches
Engine Bore: 5 3/16 inches
Engine Stroke: 5 3/16 inches
Engine Displacement: 985 cu. in.
Engine H. P. @ R. P. M. for Take-off: 450 H.P. @ 2,200 R. P. M.
Engine Fuel Required for Above: 80 Octane
Engine H. P. for Cruising (Max. Recm'd.): 300 H. P. @ 2,200 R. P. M. @ 9,600 ft.
Engine Fuel Required for Above: 80 Octane

AIRPLANE WEIGHT DATA

Airplane Gross Weight: 6900 lbs. ["7500" in handwriting]
Airplane Gross Weight Empty (with Standard Equipment): 4856 lbs. ["5032" in handwriting]
Airplane Useful Load: 2044 lbs. ["2418" in handwriting]
Passengers (Four): 680 lbs.
Crew (Two): 340 lbs.
Baggage: 100 lbs.
Maximum Oil Capacity (12 gallons): 84 lbs.
Maximum Fuel Capacity (140 gallons): 140 gallons {"1200" in handwriting]
Wing Loading (Wing Area 375 sq. ft.): 18.4 lbs ["20.0" in handwriting]
Power Loading (400 H. P. per Engine): 8.65 lbs/H. P. ["9.37" in handwriting]


STANDARD EQUIPMENT GENERAL

1 Hull, complete with windshield, windows, forward entrance hatch on bow, rear entrance door on left side of hull, and emergency exit hatch in window on right side of hull.
1 Wing, complete with engine nacelles, and statically and dynamically balanced ailerons.
1 Wing Flap system.
1 Fin, non-adjustable.
1 Rudder, statically and dynamically balanced.
1 Stabilizer, non-adjustable.
2 Elevators, statically and dynamically balanced with controllable tabs.
1 Surface Control System (Dual Wheel Type).
1 Landing Gear, mechanically retractable, complete with brakes (pilot's side only) and Bendix struts and wheels.
1 Tail Wheel, retractable with landing gear.
1 Tail Wheel Lock.
2 Pilot's Seats, with safety belts.
1 Floor for passenger cabin and pilot's cockpit.
2 Wing Tip Floats.
1 Mooring Cleat.
1 Cabin and Cockpit Heating System.
1 Cabin Ventilating System.
1 Fuel System, total capacity 140 gallons.
1 Oil system, complete with two tanks of 6 gallons capacity each.
1 Engine Control System.
1 CO2 Fire Extinguisher System (5 lbs.) of approved type (Two engine type).
1 Pyrene (quart) for passenger cabin.
4 Ash trays.
4 Reclinable Passenger Chairs, with safety belts.
2 Passenger Cabin Apparel Nets.
2 Cabin Lights.
1 First Aid Kit, approved type.
1 Set shatterproof Glass or equivalent for windshield & cabin windows.
1 Set sound insulation.
1 Set Cabin wall & top upholstering.
1 Set Seat Upholstering.
1 Pilot log book, 2 engine log books, 1 Aircraft log book.
2 Sets baggage compartment hold-down straps.
1 Northill Anchor.
1 Mooring or Anchor Line.
2 Map Case pockets or containers in pilots' cockpit.
4 Seat pockets in passenger cabin.
*1 Set Erection & Maintenance Instructions.

GUARANTEES

1. All speeds guaranteed within three (3%) per cent.
2. All weights guaranteed within three (3%) per cent.

INSTRUMENTS

1 Compass.
1 Altimeter.
1 Airspeed Indicator.
1 Airspeed Indicator Pilot Static Tube.
1 Vertical Speed Indicator.
1 Bank and Turn Indicator Venturi.
2 Manifold Pressure Gages.
2 Engine Gage Units (Oil temp. & press.; fuel press.).
2 Carburetor Air Temperature Gages.
2 Tachometers.
2 Fuel Quantity Gages.
1 Clock.
1 Volt-ammeter.
1 Grumman Landing Gear Position Indicator.

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

1 Exide Type 6-AC-7-1 Storage Battery or Equivalent.
1 Master Switch.
1 Scintilla Dual Ignition Switch.
1 Generator Control Box.
1 Set Instrument Board Lights.
1 Landing Light.
3 Navigation Lights.
1 Mooring Light.
1 Landing Gear Warning Light.
1 Complete Set Airplane Wiring.
1 Complete Set Airplane Bonding & Shielding.
1 Complete Set Airplane Conduiting & Junction Boxes.
1 Complete Set Electrical Switches.
3 Radio Headphone Outlets (2 in Pilot's cockpit, 1 in passenger cabin).

POWER PLANT AND ACCESSORIES

2 Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. Radial Air Cooled Engines, Model "SB".
2 Hamilton Standard Fixed Pitch Propellers for above engines.
2 Cartridge Type Starters.
1 Generator (15 amp.) shielded.
2 Engine Fuel Pumps.
1 Emergency Hand Fuel Pump.
2 Fuel Strainers.
2 Complete Sets Pratt & Whitney Engine Radio Shielding.
2 Complete Sets NACA Type Engine Cowling -- Inner and Outer.
2 Complete Sets Pressure Type Cylinder Cooling Baffles.
2 Oil Radiators.
2 Stainless Steel Exhaust Collector Rings.
*2 Pratt & Whitney Tool Kits.

*Not included in Weight Empty.
Address All Inquiries to:

GILLIES AVIATION CORPORATION
Hicksville, L. I., N. Y.

Exclusive factory sales representatives for
GRUMMAN AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING CORPORATION
FARMINGDALE, L. I., N. Y.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Here is what the original looks like..............




Beautiful "old boat", still plying the B.C. Coast. Her 450 HP Pratt and Whitney "Wasp Jr." engines take her on a new adventure every day! 

The freezing drizzle, freezing fog, 100 foot ceilings, and intermittent light snow and snow pellets continue. March weather in December. Unbelievable. It should be about -25*C at nights now. Anyways, I remembered I had some photos from the lens of Wendell Perry, as he usually carries his digital camera, and snaps some nice photos. Wendell flies Blue Water Aviation's C-185 C-GFVZ, Beaver C-FEYQ, and will be starting his Otter check-out in spring. Wendell was hired by the company a couple of years back, and has done a stellar job during the time he has been employed. He is usually based in Bissett, MB, at Blue Water's Sub-Base. In winter-time, he fishes for lobster off of the East Coast. I also had some photos from the computer files of Blue Water Aviation's Bissett Base. Without further delay, let's revisit the float season for a few minutes to relieve the winter-time depression caused by seeing the sun only once every 10 days! We need -20*C, NOT - 2*C!


Wendell and Beaver EYQ............ 


Airborne in the Beaver, heading north, with an external load on the right side of the aircraft.......... 


Descending for the lake............ 


Arrival at Shining Falls Lodge...................Wow! High water! The memories return! 


"Chickie" Harristhal, Shining Falls Lodge owner............ 


Corey, Shining Falls' "human fork-lift"..............  


Then it was airborne, and a view of the actual "Shining Falls"............  


Another stop, another photo-op.............. 


A beautiful day, a beautiful spot on the Gammon River, and Wendell's beautiful fiance' Kelly.............Makes one long for the summer! 

As you can see, Wendell enjoys many fine "sights" during his days in the summer! Till next time,

"Adios!"

On Dec. 19, a Chalk's Ocean Airways aircraft, a Grumman G-73T Turbo Mallard crashed after take-off from the water at Miami Beach, Florida. It was a tragic happening, with all 20 people aboard perishing. It appeared that one wing separated in flight, and the aircraft plummeted to the ocean. The aircraft was built in 1947. The accident ends a historic run for Chalk's Ocean Airways, which claims to be the oldest US airline and one that has never had a fatal crash with passengers on board. The airline got its start in 1919. Chalk's owns 4 other Mallards, and has voluntarily grounded them all for inspection.

Aviation lore has it that the airline profited and grew from running-rum during Prohibition, and then gained fame in the 1930s shuttling personalities between Miami and the Bahamas. Apparent famous passengers included Al Capone, Judy Garland, and Howard Hughes.

VIDEO - Grumman Mallard "Plunge"!

***NTSB releases pictures of crashed Mallard fatigue cracks***


The NTSB's caption to the picture above reads: "Overall view of the inboard end of the right wing as it was recovered from the water. A labeled arrow indicates the lower spar-cap of the rear spar where fatigue features were observed."
 


The NTSB captions this picture: "Closer view of the fracture surface at the inboard end of the lower spar-cap of the right wing rear spar. Unlabeled arrows indicate the location of two offset drilled holes."
 


Concerning this picture, the NTSB says: "Closer view of the fatigue region in the horizontal leg of the lower spar-cap of the rear spar. Unlabeled brackets indicate fatigue origin areas at the surfaces of the fastener hole, and dashed lines indicate the extent of the fatigue region visible on the fracture surface."
 

GRUMMAN G-73 MALLARD

Country of origin:

United States of America

Powerplants:

G73 - Two 450kW (600hp) Pratt & Whitney R1340S3H1 Wasp nine cylinder piston radial engines driving three blade constant speed propellers. G73T - Two 530kW (715shp) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A27 or PT6A-34 turboprops.

Performance:

G-73 - Max speed 346km/h (187kt), cruising speed 290km/h (157kt). Initial rate of climb 1290ft/min. Service ceiling 23,000ft. Range with max fuel 2220km (1655nm). G-73T - Max cruising speed 354km/h (191kt), economical cruising speed 346km/h (187kt). Initial rate of climb 1350ft/min. Service ceiling 24,500ft. Range with max fuel and no reserves 2595km (1400nm), with max payload and no reserves 1388km (750nm).

Weights:

G-73 - Empty 4240kg (9350lb), max takeoff 5783kg (12,750lb). G-73T - Empty equipped 3970kg (8750lb), max takeoff 6350kg (14,000lb).

Dimensions:

G-73/G-73T - Wing span 20.32m (66ft 8in), length 14.73m (48ft 4in), height on undercarriage 5.72m (18ft 9in). Wing area 41.3m2 (444sq ft).

Capacity:

Crew of two. Main cabin seating for up to 10 passengers, seating later increased. Many aircraft used as executive transports with customized interiors.

Production:

59 Mallards built between 1946 and 1951. Small numbers later converted to turboprop power.

Type:

Ten seat utility amphibious transport

History::

Following in the footsteps of the smaller Goose and Widgeon before it, Grumman developed the G-73 Mallard amphibian for commercial use.

Developed in the immediate postwar years, the Mallard is of similar overall configuration to Grumman's earlier amphibious designs in that it features twin radial engines on a high mounted wing with under wing floats, retractable undercarriage and an unswept tail unit. Unlike the earlier aircraft the Mallard features tricycle undercarriage, a stressed skin two step hull and fuel can be carried in the wingtip tanks.

The Mallard prototype first flew on April 30 1946, and the type entered service shortly afterwards in September that year with a Canadian operator. The Mallard was designed for regional airline operations with two pilots and 10 passengers, but most of the 59 delivered were for corporate use. Today only a small number remain in use, but their unique amphibious capability means they remain popular, particularly with tourist operators.

Like the earlier and smaller Goose, the Mallard has been fitted with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprops. Frakes Aviation in the USA re-engined a small number of Mallards as G73Ts in the early 1970s, the PT6s substantially boosting performance and operating economy. The first Frakes conversion first flew in 1969 and an FAA supplemental type certificate was awarded in October 1970.

In early 1994 a plan emerged which would see the Mallard reenter production in the Czech Republic. Aero and Levov of the Czech Republic, and Duncan Aviation of the USA hoped to raise the necessary capital to restart the line in the late 1990s. These plans are believed to have been dropped.


May the crew and passengers "Rest In Peace". 

Every once in awhile a pilot likes to fly close to the earth, whether it be to "beat" a strong headwind, or because the day is so nice, and the "visual menu" down low is quite pleasing. Usually this happens when there are no passengers aboard, just the pilot enjoying the flight. Low altitude flight is also performed when conducting "Game Surveys", when an accurate count of animals is paramount in a defined area. Well, it seems that military pilots also like to train, and test themselves and their aircraft, down low. Man, would I ever like to be "skipping across the waves" with these guys!

Low Flying Jets!

Watch Video

VIDEO - Outstanding Musical "Merry Christmas"...........

VIDEO - Politically-Correct "Night Before X-Mas"!

Seasons Greetings to all from the Taylor Family. As you enjoy the company of family and friends this year, remember the Allied Troops overseas who will spend Christmas away from their wives and kids. They are doing a fine job ensuring the future of free men on earth.

Anyways, the young 'uns are excited, the lights are twinkling on the "REAL" Christmas tree, the presents are out, and the Muppet Christmas Carol is playing. Saint Nick should be here sometime tonight.........then I remember the letter we received a day or two ago. It seems Saint Nick had some "reindeer" trouble last year as he prepared to descend to our house, and this year has stated he will pass us on by. "Hey, I can't help it if my immediate neighbours are red-necks!" Here is why Saint Nick will avoid the Taylor household this year.

Christmas Eve, 2004, Taylor House

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!


 


"Munchie" says "Merry Christmas"! 

Airshows can be an enjoyable way to spend a day or a weekend, but one must remember that flying is "risk management". When viewing aircraft performing stunts, there is risk to the spectators, so one should be very wary. This P-38, in D-Day Invasion Markings, rolled once too many.

VIDEO - Lockheed P-38 Lightning "Bites The Dust"

Here is the question. Who will win the "showdown" between a Red-tailed Hawk and a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake? Nature in it's "rawest" perfection!

VIDEO - "Showdown"!

"HEAR" - a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake!

"HEAR" - a Red-tailed Hawk!


Beautiful close-up! 


Majesty! 

I have a "buddy" whose marriage is on extremely "thin ice" and he e-mailed me for advice. He must think I am up there with the "Dalai Lama" or something. Hell, my take of women is summed up in a line from a Michael Martin Murphy song... "Son, you're talkin', to the wrong man, I still ain't got them women, figgered out......" Anyways, he stated there had to be a "Perfect Couple" somewhere, and asked me to do some research. My reply "dripping with skepticism", I agreed. Well, it took awhile, and I had to "kill a few soldiers" in the lengthy process, but I found the "Perfect Couple". Without further "adieu", let me introduce you to;

"The Perfect Couple"

"Gooney Bird, Skytrooper, Biscuit Bomber, Tabby, Cab, Dumbo, Sister Gabby, Bullshit Bomber, Spooky, Puff the Magic Dragon, Dowager Dutchess, Old Methuselah, The Placid Plodder, Dizzy Three, Old Bucket Seats, Duck, Dak, Dakleton, Vomit Comet"!!!! Whatever you want to call the DC-3, it fulfilled it's many roles like no other aircraft. This video is a very pleasing visual experience, although you might have trouble understanding the dialogue. I did!

VIDEO -

"Gooney Bird"!




Now there is an airplane! A DC-3 on "floats"! 

Check out some local scenery as a Cessna 172 is the platform to film the voyage south along the "Big Lake".

VIDEO - "Pine Dock, On Lake Winnipeg, To Rivercrest, On The Red River, Via Floats"!

(Some "constructive hints" to the film-makers from an old "Bush Dog". When doing Game Survey or filming, "clean" the aircraft windows before the journey commences. Also, when flying along Lake Winnipeg, there are thousands of sights to be seen. Barges, ferries, the fishing fleet, bird colonies, moose, bear, fish stations, maybe one of the "ghostly Caribou herds", wolves and "wolf kills", numerous communities, and our intrepid film-makers missed all of them. Instead, we got a grainy shot of "smog-blanketed" Winnipeg. The best part of the video is from the beginning of the landing sequence and subsequent, when the aircraft is close to the earth. Like I said, "constructive hints".)

Cheers,

Steve


Wayne Whiteway and Marc Collette. If you want to see Lake Winnipeg, take a trip with these men. 


Erland Campbell, partner with Wayne and Marc near Fisher Bay. Tremendous "geology" in the cliffs behind him. 

Yes, Lake Winnipeg has lots to see, especially by boat. Here is Wayne, Marc, and Erland's Web-Site.

WEB-SITE - BALD EAGLE ISLAND TOURS

Enjoy!