CARIBOU
CAPERS
By
Cliff Robinson
As noted
previously, a projected move of this aircraft on 19th January
was postponed when the height/available trailer combination
became a difficulty. In consequence, a team of six visited
Amberley on Saturday 2nd February to remove the rear section
of the fuselage at a production joint. This was greatly
assisted by W/O Dennis Doggett, who smoothed the way security
wise and added his considerable expertise to the job. In
case memory is short, this has been a hot summer, and Saturday
was listed as 34 in the shade….what shade? The aircraft
was located on bare ground in the "graveyard" two kilometres
around the perimeter track. Consequently, the team of Nick
Sayer, Cameron Elmes, Ian Daniels, Syd White, Mick Hinsbey
and Cliff Robinson alternated deriveting two lines right
around the fuselage, and guzzling large quantities of water,
crawling into the oven of the tail, deriveting etc. and
emerging to re-hydrate etc etc. We used "Austral" to lift
the nose on to a stand in order to lower the tail, then
she was backed under the tail ready to receive the removed
section and to serve as a work platform. This proceeded
as planned (with interruptions for water) with only one
minor hiccup when we found the inevitable few rivets which
had been overlooked. The rear 3 metres then separated gently
and was secured to "Austral" for the trip to Caloundra.
The nose was then lowered to the ground and the aircraft
towed by "Austral" to a hardstand, so that it can be loaded
on Thursday 8th, even if it rains in the meantime. The team
was pleased to depart the site at 1530. Plans for moving
the remainder of the aircraft were set in train a couple
of weeks in advance. With all arrangements for the base,
cranes and escort in hand the transport permit was held
up because of blockages on the Gateway Arterial and the
difficulties of getting a decision on an alternate route.
The window of opportunity for use of the truck was lost
and it was necessary to wait again. Why not use another
truck? The usual reason - money! We had been offered the
vehicle for cost only. The next few weeks were occupied
in trying to set up another date and then contact with the
transport was lost. When finally re-established it was found
that the contractor had suffered a serious accident and
was in hospital. Back to square one. Finally enquiries led
to Suncoast Heavy Haulage who made a similar offer, and
a date was set for Monday 29th April. The loading was planned
for 1400. There followed a first for QAM recoveries. Both
truck and crane arrived together, on time and at the right
place. A quick trip to the site and the fuselage was loaded
and secured as planned by 1630. Nothing has gone wrong -
yet. Now, to park the load outside the base. Follow the
guide …oops not a good route. Try this way ... gates too
narrow. Try that way … can't make the turn. It begins to
feel as though the truck might be left continually circling
inside the Amberley fences unable to get out, rather like
the Flying Dutchman. Nothing for it, the undercarriage has
to come off. Now this undercarriage is not the flying type,
this is a ground handling unit built like the proverbial
tank. Enter some helpful RAAF personnel with a fork lift
and by 2000 we are ready to try again with the legs stowed
on the truck. This is not entirely straightforward if we
are to avoid rearranging the guardhouse and front gates.
Consequently we weave our way down the wrong side of the
road dodging trees, signs, removing boom gate and performing
R&R (remove and replace) on a traffic standard. Then with
a total of 4 inches clearance on the front gate we exit
to park outside and wait for the escorts at 0001. There
is something about travelling down the road in the dead
of night behind flashing police and escort lights, weaving
around posts, first on one side then the other at speeds
varying between 2 and 95 km/h. The only section that was
really difficult was that through Brisbane. Kessels Road
to the Gateway took one hour and gained our truck driver
a certificate in tree trimming. Nevertheless, we arrived
at Caloundra at 0430, the crane arrived at first light and
the unloading was completed expeditiously. Our thanks to
the loading team:
Ian
Daniels
Cameron Elmes
Mick Hinsbey
Cliff Robinson
W/O Dennis Doggett
P/O Dale Boad
F/S Mark Royle
Queensland Police
and most particularly:
Sean Tenkate and driver Dennis Ladley of Suncoast Heavy
Haulage who went far out of their way to help.
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