My First Experience Flying at Night
I had not been at Kelly long before I was jumping on the
local flights. The locals were flown as the name says, in
the local area. They were to get in any requirements for
landings, takeoffs and of course in some cases, the hours
needed to qualify for flight pay.
I had flown a couple of these local flights before but I
was now getting one that although we took off during day-
light hours, we would not return until after dark. Being
the new kid on the block, I was getting my turn at the
job of Scanner. The Scanner had the responsibility of
keeping an eye on the engines, wings and of course the
goings on in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. We
made routine checks at 30 minute intervals.
Well it was now dark and time for another visual check of
the wings and engines, looking for any abnormalities ie.
oil leaks etc. Well as I looked out over the right wing
there seemed to be an awful lot of red glow inside the
number 3 engine nacelle, you could see it clearly through
the cowlflap opening. Being green, I thought this was
abnormal. I called on the interphone, "Engineer from
Scanner", no response, again, "Engineer from Scanner",
again, no response. Then I called, "Pilot from Scanner",
no response, again, "Pilot from Scanner", and again no
response. Then I called, "Anybody from Scanner, number
3 engine is on fire". NOW, I get a response. The Engineer
told me to check the other engines. When I looked out
the left side, number 2 engine looked just like number
3. I reported this to the Engineer. His reply, wait a
minute, and down the ladder came Nick. Nick looked out
at the two inboard engines and asked me if that is what
I had seen. I replied it was, then he explained to me
that it was nothing but the red glow of the exhaust system
and that it was normal.
The Aircraft Commander was a Captain Marbury, he carried
me high from that day on. He was, as myself, from Arkansas
and we enjoyed many a flight together after that. I would
bet that if we met today, 41 years later, he would remind
me of it. He said the most amazing thing of the whole
situation was that I did not seem the least excited.
'Note: I have now, located Captain, Marbury.'
I recently got a roster of former 19th Logistics Support
Squadron and among those listed was, Captain Marbury. It
also had his phone number.
I gave him a ring on the phone. When he answered, I did not
identify myself but posed a question. I said if you were to
go back about 45 years and while flying a night mission, some
young airman tells you over the interphone that you have two
engines on fire, would you know who this is? Immediately and
without any hesitation he replied, Wheeler. He further said
he remembered exactly where we were at the time, over Tyler
Texas.
We had a good visit via the phone and I told him that in the
near future I would drop down and visit him at Benton Arkansas
just south of Little Rock. I occasionally visit Little Rock
and Benton is only some 20 miles south.