Kelowna to Nanaimo

[bernd1151]

We are lucky to have a contract to deliver supplies on a regular basis to a forwarder in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Problem is that our storage facility in Vancouver has run out of stock and the nearest depot that carries the stuff that Nanaimo needs is in Kelowna in the Okanagan valley.

As our DC-6 is busy on her regular Vancouver-Portland run, the only alternative is our B-17. Luckily she has just seen a full service, so despite her age, she is in her prime.

We all love big radial engines that want to be seduced and caressed into operating. We walk through the props and #3 of the four B 17’s turbocharged Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 engines starts belching, banging, rattling, backfiring, spluttering, while flame and black smoke from the exhaust shoots out about three feet. Once the engine begins to "catch" on the primer, I move its mixture to full rich. The flames from the exhaust will stop and white smoke will come out instead. The sleeping giant is finally alive, now let’s wake up the rest. That wonderful throaty roar is music to the ears and we enjoy that macho smell of engine oil, hydraulic fluid and pilot sweat.

We have closed the cowl flaps to warm up the engine for taxi. Once on our way this big piece of lumber needs careful maneuvering. This is not anymore a wide grass runway in England in 1944. This is a damn tight taxi way, which means we sweat a little bit more.

Once properly set up, we switch the boost pumps on and our hands are wrapped around the four throttles. Then we gradually add full power in order not to cause the prop governors to surge and slowly the four R-1820s start roaring along the runway. A novice pilot will now expect the B 17 to lift the tail before you pull back on the wheel. But she has no intention to do that, instead with our full load we will use almost all of the 8,900 ft of runway, then pull gently back on the wheel and let her take off all by herself. I have heard stories that even with taking these precautions, some fully loaded B 17s didn’t make it, when wind speed and runway surface were sub-optimal.

We adjust the throttle for climb setting and have eased the prop back to climb RPM, now we need plenty of muscles to keep the wheel pulled back and the nose pointing upwards

We decide to follow the Okanagan Lake first until we have reached sufficient altitude to get over the mountains to turn West.

Now at 7,700 ft we are above the clouds and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

Below at 10 o`clock one can see Chilliwack airport

It’s slowly getting dark and we have almost crossed the Strait of Georgia. And it seems that the weather gods want to throw at us the best sunset they have to offer

Before reaching Cobble Hill we turn North for our final leg to Nanaimo. In the distance one can see Victoria International

The clouds have all but disappeared and we can enjoy a spectacular sunset. Between Chemainus and Ladysmith we start our descent into Nanaimo, carrying out a visual approach.

Turning final into Nanaimo Rwy 34 for a straight in.

Short final with our Christmas tree (landing lights) switched on.

Crossing the Transcanada Highway

The plane rolls out in a straight line, but we have to be very gentle on the double disc brakes in order not to block them and ruin our day, because they are very expensive to replace. They are also highly sensitive, so we better barely touch the top of the rudder pedals.

What a fantastic sight of the rest of the sun. It looks like the remains of a huge fireball.

[Iain Emms]

Very nice shots and story.

cheers

Iain

[mp1852]

Great shots, especially the sunset ones!

[timmo32]

a fine collection there mate love the plane too!

[bernd1151]

Thanks gents, it's appreciated. You are right Timmo, the plane is great.

[lifejogger]

That was a nice post. I really like the B-17.......

[flyingleaf]

Nice story Bernd and great shots. I live in Kelowna and the area is a beauty to fly in. Thanks for posting.