KOO,


That's interesting that they used a track loader to build a runway. I could see using a small dozer for the job but a loader wouldn't have been my first choice. I hope it serves you well in its next life. I wish that there was a few orphan tractors around my part of the world. You certainly have some guts to go out on the ice to rescue the rocket.

thasnks for teh exellent adventure! Good to see you are 'back at it'. I'd think about the heater 7upuller mentioned.... sl

doug, they had to use a loader because they had to haul a lot of clay and rocks to get a base. the truck that THE ROCKET filled was a 1947 ford one ton. 5000 feet is unreal when you think of it but they did it. today to build a runway like that would almost unheard of because of the cost.

thansk guys.

thansk
KoO
Published Author

Great job of documenting you adventure. Reminds me of a trip I took some years back. I am also hooked on Tucker Sno-cats. I had a bussiness using them. Back in the 80's we had a good snow year and I loaded one up and went 200+ miles down the cascades to Crater Lake. Not nearly as cold as your country but there was five ft of new snow to deal with. Got real good with a shovel. Thanks for the memories.

thansk, glad you had an escape back to the past. the tucker snow cats are machne in them self.

thansk
KoO
Published Author

i have added more pictures and info to THE ROCKET TOUR.

kingofobsolete.ca/rocket_tour_WEBPAGE.htm

thansk
KoO
Published Author

KOO,

I have "walked" a bareheaded CAT 15 miles in below zero weather so I can apreciate what you did. I never had to worry about the earth splitting open and dropping me into the drink though. Building that runway was typical of that age when men were willing to take a chance and work hard. Now it would take a couple of years to get the paperwork done before starting construction. Those oldtimers just went and did it. Great story. Thanks for taking the time to tell it to us.

also the best part is that case loader was driven to the island runway. yes two guys drove the loader 500 miles from the south. since it is a single seater cab, one fellow rode in the bucket. once at the island runway, they radioed for a plane on skis to come and get them. wow is all i have to say, LOL

thansk
KoO
Published Author

the great white north is too cold for rust. i have used cut and pasted for the redpower BB.

today after working at my "real job", i returned to the KINGDOM and popped the head of THE ROCKET.
that overshot loader sure does make a guy climb up and over but i got it done in just under 1.5 hours. would have been faster but most of my tools are at my "real job".
i was very pleased to see that THE ROCKET is in good shape when i popped the head off. will have it up and running this summer for sure.

thansk
KoO
Published Author

guess what? the valves were not even seized for the amount of water and snow that went down the exhaust pipe, LOL

it is good to be the "KING", now if i could only be this lucky with the ladies, LOL.

thansk
KoO
Published Author