Page 116 - Demo

114Flight), trying to be helpful, as we were still loading the second aircraft, opened the freight door for us, and started the refuelling.While this was progressing, the second aircraft load was completed, trim-sheet done, and she too taxied out for take-off. We were now really in the swing and, as soon as the refuelling of the third VC10 was completed, on went the six loaded and netted pallets. All that was left to do was to close the freight-door and walk back to the Load Control office to complete the trim-sheet.Except, the freight door would not close and lock! It closed without a problem, but the door- locks would not locate in the fuselage frame, no matter how often we opened and closed the door. This fault was an obvious %u2018No-Go%u2019 snag, and it seemed that the best-laid plans and anticipated kudos would come to nothing. No-one in VASF could think why this had happened so, in desperation, I rang Britannia House in Manama, which was the transport aircrew transit hotel. I was now really beginning to panic, but eventually got hold of an Air Engineer. Having asked me to go through the order in which the turn-round had been done, he informed me that we had twisted the aircraft fuselage, as we had done the refuelling with the freight door open. This was a disaster, and I could see the Court Martial, and the VC10 having to be put in a jig to untwist the fuselage. It would cost millions of pounds, let alone my career. Was there no solution%u2026%u2026.?I could almost see the Air Engineer%u2019s grin over the phone. He said we were to remove the over- wing escape hatches on both sides of the fuselage, have half the shift climb out and stand on one wing, and the other half of the shift do the same on the other wing. Then, close the freight door. Once closed, we were to hook up an aircraft tug and while slowly taxiing the VC-10 in figures of eight around the apron, put our arms round each other and jump up and down. Was he taking the proverbial? But, what choice did I have? I gathered the shift and VASF guys together, and briefed them on what was to be done. I cannot begin to describe the looks and comments that came my way, but all the chaps realised that we really were up the creek without a paddle, and no-one had a better idea.