Thanks for sharing that, LM.
G
LOUD MOUSE wrote:Dad was a HANGER employ (fueled, checked oil levels, washed windows and removed trash from private airplanes) at a private hanger at EL PASO, TEXAS in the 30's. (he worked with another young feller)
One afternoon the owner told dad that "THOSE GAS BARRELS (42 GAL. at that time???) (as I recall 80 octane ???) were to be used on a very special airplane flown by a very special person who will arrive in the afternoon and not for anyone else.
That afternoon a LOCKHEAD high wing single engine VEGA landed and parked near the barrels.
The pilot walked to the office and introduced herself.
Amelia Earhart was that pilot.
She asked who would be fueling her plane and the owner introduced dad and the other feller.
She asked if they knew her type airplane (they replied YES) then told them to be sure to fill all the tanks as she had a long flight the next morning.
Dad and the other feller did as told and waited the next morning to see her arrive.
Dad and his partner were proud fellers and to do anything to her airplane was an honor.
She arrived by cab and went straight to the airplane, stepped up on the right tire and slid back the window and looked inside.
She Walked at a brisk pace with a scowl on her face and entered the office.
"Alright I told you fellers to fill all the tanks and you didn't do it"!!!!
"But mam we did fill all the tanks". (dad)
"Come with me and I'll show you you didn't fill all of them"!!!!
Dad as told steeped up on the right tire , looked inside and THERE WAS THE CROSS OCEAN TANK for her recent record breaking flight from Hawaii to Oakland, California. (usually seats were there).
Embarrassed , dad stepped down and as he turned to her he saw a BIG GRIN followed by Laughter and "I knew ya'd miss it I just knew it"!!!! :-) :-)
After filling THAT TANK she started the engine, climbed out the window and told dad to "Get in and watch the Oil Pressure and Head Temps.
He actually sat in that record breaking Vega as a Very Young Feller.
True story as I heard it many times when he and his cronies would talk airplanes. ..............lm
Hoosier Tom wrote:LOUD MOUSE wrote:Ya.
He was a mechanic for BRANIFF Air Lines in the 30's/40's then became Superintendent of Maintenance and Overhaul (ENGINE Room)
I couldn't remember how your dad ran into Amelia Earhart.
HT
