OAK - HARS Connie at Oakland CA USA January 1996

Описание: OAK/KOAK Oakland, CA USA January 26th 1996 - Constellation VH-EAG on a ferry flight from Tucson,AZ USA to Honolulu, HI USA was diverted due to engine problems and ended up at Oakland CA United Airlines MX base. That night I got a phone call from Gary Plomp, Director of Radial Remeniscience to see if I could be at Oakland Airport the next morning to film the HARS Connie? I had no idea what was going on, nor had nor heard of HARS or the Connie. Gary Plomp knew I did a lot of aircraft videos. Gary gave me the contact name and phone number to contact Supervisor George Midwin at UAL Oakland MX base and be there at 06:30am sharp! I called in sick to work, and since I lived over an hour south of Oakland in Gilroy, CA I had to leave early because of traffic during commute times. I arrived at OAK UAL on time, and the Lady in Security already had a ramp tag for me, George Midwin met me in the Super Bay, gave me instructions to not film any United Airlines logo/equipment/anything - in the same frame as the Constellation. I agreed and he pointed to the door, and said OK have fun, I'll be out later. SO, I had to walk by myself around a DC-10 inside the Superbay, and all sorts of equipment to the ramp, and like no one cared??? I walk outside there is the Constellation on the ramp away from the building. I filmed the UAL van in error..didn't realize until way later. I think I then met Bob dela Hunty?( I am sure de la Hunty is in the blue coveralls running the test starts and headphones on) Lead for HARS and the Aussie accent was starting to make sense. He was super nice and got me up in the mobile cherry picker to film above the Connie - we all had to take turns but so cool. We were not allowed to go inside the Connie - which was fine with me. I had a whole bunch of notes, I met the Pilot, some crew and mechanics (now cant find the notes) I have about 50 photos I took on the ramp I'll post one of these days on the HARS FB page,,,,,,The tall guy in the video by the engine run ups in the dark green camo jacket was the left seat Pilot. I owe Gary Plomp a big debt of gratitude always, to allow me to get access to film the Connie, it was very cool. I also gave George Midwin copies of filming. Film by Tom Vance/YT MarsAveSo, All Rights Reserved. Hi 8mm Sony.