Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
#8110362
03/29/24 09:12 AM
03/29/24 09:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705
Idaho, Lemhi County
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I spent 13 years in a bush village in western interior Alaska. No roads coming in. I didn't own a highway vehicle. I had an airplane, a boat, a snowmachine, and a 4-wheeler. No need for a truck. Airplane was used like a truck. I worked in an airplane and recreated in an airplane. I was a bit of an elitist; I thought SuperCubs (Piper PA-18) were the only plane worth having, especially for trapping. Just returned from a successful trap checking, with a wolverine, a beaver, and a red fox. Deep snow was a constant hassle. Many times, I had to snowshoe a strip to allow take-off. A little marten peeks out from behind a tree, with airplane in back. I collected hundreds of marten carcasses from trappers in the area, in order to monitor the harvest. This (N41PX) was my "work plane" that belonged to the state Fish and Game. I used it mainly for flying surveys for moose, bison, caribou, furbearers, wolves, bears, and Dall sheep. Hope you liked this week's photo phriday selection. Jack
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: BernieB.]
#8110372
03/29/24 09:28 AM
03/29/24 09:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Very cool. Super cubs are iconic in Alaska. You were living the good life! Thanks, Bernie. I would wholeheartedly agree; it would be difficult to make life any better!
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110440
03/29/24 11:22 AM
03/29/24 11:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,519 Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
Sharon
"American Honey"
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"American Honey"
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,519
Montana ,Rocky Mtns.
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There is nothing in this universe like flight, is there, Jack ... I miss it every day. I grew up in planes with my father. In his souped up crop dusters, too. And in flying the DC3 , supplies to the British West Indies in summer with him. When he taught me to fly this beast at 16 years old. I loved it all. Traveling in rugged mountains, by foot, horse, snow machine , or truck, is one thing, but seeing the dimensions with an eagle's eye in flight is a realm of its own. The only way, in my opinion, to enjoy the Himalayas in all their glory. The most rugged, tallest ranges on earth. The only thing to make that even better, is to have someone who really sees the views in multidimensional appreciation , to share it all with . Not only normal viewers who always say how beautiful the ranges are, but who can go the distance in depth of expressions , who can feel the land in shapes , colours and angles. I am so glad that you have had the chance of enjoying the land from the air, Jack. You of all people , appreciate the details. Here's my classic shot to share of my father , quite at home in his Pitts.
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110578
03/29/24 02:32 PM
03/29/24 02:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711 ND
MJM
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711
ND
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Retired maybe was a bad word to use. I am thinking I heard it was not flying into Akutan any more. When I was on Akutan they were talking about building a runway on Akun. It is only about a mile from one island to the other and would be the closest place they could put in a runway. Akun has a large flat place they could put it. I do not know if they did that or if it is all boat traffic out of Akutan now.
"Not Really, Not Really" Mark J Monti "MJM you're a jerk."
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110590
03/29/24 02:49 PM
03/29/24 02:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711 ND
MJM
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711
ND
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I just did a search for flights into Akutan and here is what it says. "For regularly scheduled air service to Akutan you will need to book two separate flights. Grant Aviation provides service between Dutch Harbor and Akutan Airport, located on Akun Island six miles away from Akutan Island. Maritime Helicopters provides the service between Akun (Akutan Airport) to Akutan."
"Not Really, Not Really" Mark J Monti "MJM you're a jerk."
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110612
03/29/24 03:22 PM
03/29/24 03:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705
Idaho, Lemhi County
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I'm always saddened to see those old workhorses (such as PenAir's Goose) being put out to pasture. End of an era, and there'll never be any more like 'em. I remember an old Gruman G-44 Widgeon going by the wayside in Glennallen several decades ago. My first Piper PA-18 was a brand new one, built in 1959. It was younger than me!
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110631
03/29/24 03:42 PM
03/29/24 03:42 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,182 McGrath, AK
white17
"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
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"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,182
McGrath, AK
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Here is an interesting read about the first air mail flights in Alaska. Carl Ben Eielson flying from Fairbanks to McGrath. Somewhere here in town I have seen photos of him standing by the plane that day here on the "runway" which was the river at that time. I think the mail today takes longer than it did a hundred years ago in 1924. Eielson also talks about his clothes. Marten hat and caribou sox https://eaavintage.org/outstanding-flights-alaska/
Mean As Nails
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110635
03/29/24 03:54 PM
03/29/24 03:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711 ND
MJM
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711
ND
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I was glad I got to fly on the Goose. I knew it would not last much longer when they were talking about a building runway on Akun. I have flown on all different planes. C-130, C-141, C-5, KC135 plus all sort of commercial planes. I flew around AK in a 180 that a friend owned. I flew in a Beaver in MT. The Goose was the one that sticks out in my mind. I was awarded a flight on a F-15 when I was at Galena. I like the 180 more than the F-15. You are moving to fast to see much.
"Not Really, Not Really" Mark J Monti "MJM you're a jerk."
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8110894
03/29/24 09:56 PM
03/29/24 09:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711 ND
MJM
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,711
ND
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The Goose came right up what looked like a cement boat ramp at Akutan. There was a small pad on top and he spun around and shut it off. Unloaded some mail, loaded some mail and four of us got on and he taxied down the ramp back into the water. Steve Ebbert was along and he ask if he could sit in the co-pilot seat and take pictures. The pilot let him.
"Not Really, Not Really" Mark J Monti "MJM you're a jerk."
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Re: Photo Phriday 129 - Airplanes
[Re: Gulo]
#8111161
03/30/24 10:58 AM
03/30/24 10:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,705
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Some great airplane pictures, guys. Thanks for contributuing. Waggler, that 'Cub in the back is beautiful.
Jack
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