Friday, April 07, 2006
Steve's Video Of The Day: "Escape" from the "Iron Curtain"!
During the "steel-fisted" dictatorship the Communists imposed upon the former Soviet Union, the notion of "freedom" was alive and well. People risked their lives and their families to escape to the "west", rather than live in "physical and mental chains". Many people tried to escape by whatever means possible, and one of these means was by air. During these attempts, one aircraft was at the "top of the list" in performing "freedom flights". It is stated that the Antonov AN-2 "Colt" flew more people to safety from behind the "Iron Curtain" than all other types of aircraft combined. This is due to it's amazing performance, ability to fly grossly overloaded, and ability to operate from unimproved surfaces, and the robustness of the gear and airframe.
It is 2 AM, your family is aboard the airplane on the "mud strip". Everyone is quiet. The "whirr" of the "inertia starter" "spooling" up breaks the chillness of the night air. The pilot engages the clutch, and the engine "coughs" to life. Bucking and vibrating during the warmup, the 1,000 HP Shvetsov ASh-62IR radial piston engine is finally warm. The plane starts to taxi through the mud, and the pilot tries to keep "her" straight. The "ppsshhh...ppsshhh..." " of the "pneumatic brakes" makes a distinct sound, as the pilot lines the aircraft up on the clearing, closes the "carb heat", and opens the throttle.........
VIDEO - "Escape" from the "Iron Curtain"!
INFO - Antonov AN-2 "Colt"
Antonov AN-2 "Colt"
"Escape!"
It is 2 AM, your family is aboard the airplane on the "mud strip". Everyone is quiet. The "whirr" of the "inertia starter" "spooling" up breaks the chillness of the night air. The pilot engages the clutch, and the engine "coughs" to life. Bucking and vibrating during the warmup, the 1,000 HP Shvetsov ASh-62IR radial piston engine is finally warm. The plane starts to taxi through the mud, and the pilot tries to keep "her" straight. The "ppsshhh...ppsshhh..." " of the "pneumatic brakes" makes a distinct sound, as the pilot lines the aircraft up on the clearing, closes the "carb heat", and opens the throttle.........
VIDEO - "Escape" from the "Iron Curtain"!
INFO - Antonov AN-2 "Colt"
Antonov AN-2 "Colt"
"Escape!"
