Paul K 93 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Who would have thought you could do this ? Part of a rescue mission. The caption reads: Lt. B. W. Dunlop USN landed on the ice cap to deliver a dogsled party to travel to B-17 - PNPEand get the remaining three survivors out.Website: USCG History Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mithrin 0 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Total dedication, what an awesome picture! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbird861 0 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Who would have thought you could do this ?...Well, me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K 93 Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Valtteri, care to elaborate ? Was the hull strengthened so it could bear all its weight on the keel, or was it something they knew could be done anyway, as long as it was a gentle touchdown ?Okay its on the Arctic icepack, and there may well have been a layer of snow to cushion and lubricate its passage across the ice, but I've never heard of a flying boat doing that, let alone see a photo of it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogTailRed2 0 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Valtteri, care to elaborate ? Was the hull strengthened so it could bear all its weight on the keel, or was it something they knew could be done anyway, as long as it was a gentle touchdown ?Okay its on the Arctic icepack, and there may well have been a layer of snow to cushion and lubricate its passage across the ice, but I've never heard of a flying boat doing that, let alone see a photo of it !Why didn't they just use the wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManuelL 71 Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 It is not so uncommon to land seaplanes on ice:At the speed you are landing a plane, I would expect a water surface is not much softer than ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbird861 0 Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Valtteri, care to elaborate ? Was the hull strengthened so it could bear all its weight on the keel, or was it something they knew could be done anyway, as long as it was a gentle touchdown ?Okay its on the Arctic icepack, and there may well have been a layer of snow to cushion and lubricate its passage across the ice, but I've never heard of a flying boat doing that, let alone see a photo of it !I have no idea, but I know many amphibs landed on snow like that, because wheels would sink to snow. I just always though Catalinas did it like that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosoft Aerosoft Team [Inactive Account] 51558 Posted May 9, 2009 Aerosoft Share Posted May 9, 2009 Why didn't they just use the wheels?Because wheels dig into the snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snave 466 Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Of course, there remains the problem that it's relatively easy to free up iced up wheels, but if the whole planing bottom is stuck fast and frozen to the icy surface you ain't gonna get out anytime soon... guess you would have to heat the whole surface if you intended to stop for any time at all in -40!Conversely, the frictional surface area might well have served to create a very thin film of water under the hull during the take-off run, so it might actually fly off quicker than a wheel- or ski-equipped aircraft... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C 110 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 In the photo above of the Cat, it looks to me as if the hull has been strengthened with additional external plating at the very least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K 93 Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 In the photo above of the Cat, it looks to me as if the hull has been strengthened with additional external plating at the very least.Really, Nick ? I can see the nose-wheel doors ( which look to me as if they might be partly open for some reason ) but nothing that suggests reinforcing of the hull. Which bit are you referring to ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K 93 Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 Here's a preview of a book which deals with the event, and some good information too. It was not usual for the PBY to be bellied onto the ice, and they had to seek the US Navy's approval to do it. Seems the situation was pretty desperate, and that required desparate measures.Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C 110 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Really, Nick ? I can see the nose-wheel doors ( which look to me as if they might be partly open for some reason ) but nothing that suggests reinforcing of the hull. Which bit are you referring to ?Sometimes I should spend less time writing and more time 'observing'. Of course you are right Paul! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbird861 0 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Here's a preview of a book which deals with the event, and some good information too. It was not usual for the PBY to be bellied onto the ice, and they had to seek the US Navy's approval to do it. Seems the situation was pretty desperate, and that required desparate measures.LinkAnd again we see how my thoughts are no where close to truth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogTailRed2 0 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Several Sunderland flying boats made touch and go's on hard runways and at least one made an emergency. Of course they would never get off again once stopped.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington_In...ational_Airport"In spite of the short runway and frequent winds, there have been very few safety incidents at the airport. However at the air show held at the airport on opening day in 1959 there were at least two incidents: a Royal New Zealand Air Force Sunderland flying boat scraped its keel along the runway during a low pass in turbulent conditions and a Royal Air Force Avro Vulcan bomber aborted its landing when it touched down short of the runway damaging its undercarriage and a wing. The aircraft then flew to Ohakea air base where it was stranded for several weeks awaiting repairs." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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