I have just heard that two fresh Allison engines are available for Glacier Girl. Though not yet confirmed, GG’s owner (Texas Oil Man Rod Lewis) may decide to have BOTH engines replaced while GG is still at Goose Bay, Labrador. Following the installation of the engine(s), Glacier Girl MAY just go right ahead and continue the mission to England! Exciting news!
Remember, the engines on the P-38 are “handed” meaning that the left and right engines rotate in opposite directions. As looking forward to the nose of the aircraft, the right engine rotates clockwise and the left engine rotates counter-clockwise. This feature is great for neutralizing engine torque effect, which is especially useful during takeoff. Though no Allison engines or parts are very easily obtained anymore, the left engines (or parts to make the counter-clockwise rotation possible) are much harder to find.
Just before embarking on the Bolero II mission to England, Glacier Girl had logged just over a total of 100 flight hours on all systems since restoration. Of course, all these hours were flown exclusively by Steve Hinton.
I’ll post more news as I receive it.
All the best,
– octane130 –
SoCal USA
I know some of you have already seen this video interview of Glacier Girl’s pilot, Steve Hinton giving a VERY INTERESTING explanation of the problems that occurred with her right engine following departure from Goose Bay, Labrador. But in case you haven’t, check out the below link. Steve is the ONLY pilot ever allowed to fly Glacier Girl since her recovery from under the Greenland glacier ice in 1992. Why? He’s he best, that’s why! :).
Glacier Girl will be airborne again soon!!
Best,
– octane130 –
Glacier Girl and flight didn’t depart Goose Bay on June 27 as I previously said, but it appears that all signs point to a “GO” for the Goose Bay departure to occur later today, June 28. The new water (coolant) pump was installed on the TF-51 Miss Velma by Steve Hinton and crew and a run-up check and flight were performed by Ed Shipley. All was well.
Even though the previously revised direct Goose Bay to Greenland route has been removed from the Bolero II tracking site http://bolero.flightexplorer.com/default.aspx?697091 I understand that today’s goal is to reach Greenland.
Best,
– octane130 –
Yeah, the June 26 flight was canceled due to some minor mechanical problems with the TF-51 Miss Velma. The problem was a leaky water pump. A new part has already been obtained by dispatching Rod Lewis’ Cessna Sovereign jet back to Teterboro, New Jersey from Goose Bay and return (Rod Lewis is Glacier Girl’s new owner). That is what you call express delivery! (and the most expensive in history):) . You know, considering the flight environment of this mission, a water pump leak in a Mustang really isn’t a minor problem. But no worries, the very best in the warbird business are involved and all will be taken care of.
The flight route has also been tentatively changed. The next flight leg will stop in southern Greenland and then take off again and reach another airport in Greenland on the same day for a total of 1,200 nautical miles. As of 0002 Zulu (GMT) June 27, it appears that today’s mission will be a go.
Below is a link to a quickly cobbled together “video study” that I took of Glacier Girl a couple of months ago at Chino, California while work was being performed to get her ready for Operation Bolero II. The takeoff sequence was taken at nearby Palm Springs Airport; everthing else was filmed at Chino. This is not exactly a cinematic masterpiece (ha!) but it still gives an interesting insight on this famous and historical aircraft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaGN6veTC5A
For those interested, here’s a link to a short American television network (ABC) video broadcast of Glacier Girl produced while GG was in Teterboro, New Jersey last Friday, June 22.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNEmGaAplgI
Cheers!
– octane130 –
Glacier Girl and escorts arrived at Goose Bay, Labrador at 2253 Zulu (GMT) after a long day of dodging some bad weather. I understand that the aircraft had to descend to as low as 700 feet at times.
Below is an image of Glacier Girl’s actual route that was flown from Presque Isle, Maine (PQI) to Goose Bay (CYYR). The circuitous flight path was the result of flying around thunderstorms:
I couldn’t find any photos of Glacier Girl’s flyby of the Statue of Liberty on June 21, but I heard it was pretty dramatic!:). But below is a photo of the entourage flying over the adjacent Hudson River. The Pilatus PC-12 (in the lead) will accompany Glacier Girl and Miss Velma over The Pond. Plans are for a Cessna Citation Sovereign to also accompany the group.
Cheers!
– octane130 –
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