Post by baronbeeza on Sept 26, 2011 11:58:02 GMT 12
Seeing mention of the A4 mishaps got me thinking about a similar one.
There was an instance at Ohakea in early to mid 1980 when a Fireman burning off some rubbish had to take evasive action when he heard a whooshing noise. As he ducked behind his truck he caught sight of a rocket motor heading skywards before it came back down and scorched off into the near distance.
I am sure there will be many versions of the tale but a Formal Investigation or Court of Inquiry probably never did get the whole story.
Basically the rockets were made up on the deck of a truck before being delivered to the squadron. Somehow one tube was discarded before the motor was removed from it.
I am sure the guys on the truck would have worked out how it happened but closed ranks very well during the investigation.
Some unfortunate would have been shouting beers for a week or two after that one.
I seem to recollect that the farmers prize bull may have got a mention in the tale also.
There was an instance at Ohakea in early to mid 1980 when a Fireman burning off some rubbish had to take evasive action when he heard a whooshing noise. As he ducked behind his truck he caught sight of a rocket motor heading skywards before it came back down and scorched off into the near distance.
I am sure there will be many versions of the tale but a Formal Investigation or Court of Inquiry probably never did get the whole story.
Basically the rockets were made up on the deck of a truck before being delivered to the squadron. Somehow one tube was discarded before the motor was removed from it.
I am sure the guys on the truck would have worked out how it happened but closed ranks very well during the investigation.
Some unfortunate would have been shouting beers for a week or two after that one.
I seem to recollect that the farmers prize bull may have got a mention in the tale also.
