BAZflyer: Pearl Harvest

BAZ got its engine oil and filter changed at Horn Island. The newly overhauled motor installed two months earlier had clocked-up 50 hours and it was time to switch from running-in oil to the engine's normal diet of multigrade aero oil. Sometimes the most routine task can deliver a 'left-hook' and on this occasion it was an over-tightened oil filter from the engine overhaul shop. Clearly tightened by a muscle-man on steroids the oil filter simply refused every effort to unscrew it using conventional means. Fortunately, it did succumb to a less conventual turning force applied applied via a long sharpened steel rod driven through the filter housing. Thanks Garry for the steel rod, use of your grinder and loan of a big hammer…!

Horn Island is one of many islands that make up the Torres Strait Islands. During WWII it served as an important staging post for aircraft and units bound for Papua New Guinea. B17, B25, P38, P39, P40, Beaufort and Catalina all past through Horn Island. The airstrip was bombed several times by Japanese aircraft between May 1942 and June 1943. Today the old war-time airstrip, appropriately improved, is the main airport for the Torres Straits.

Double Trouble

The main administrative centre for the Torres Strait Islands is on Thursday Island. Then there is Wednesday Island and maybe even other islands for every day of the week. However, today was Friday so it seemed appropriate we should visit Friday Island, famous for its cultured pearls. We were picked-up from the Horn Island wharf by Peter and his wife in their very new all alloy craft aptly named "Double Trouble". Powered by two 150 HP outboard motors this purpose build front-ramp loading craft seemed ideally suited for plying the islands and it rode very well on the choppy sea that had been wiped-up by the wind and tide for our late afternoon return journey back to Horn Island. "Double Trouble" can load tractors, vehicles and all manner of goods. It even has an air-conditioned galley. After dropping us all back at the Horn Island wharf Peter and his wifely crew were off to load a Bob-Cat that was required for a job on another island. Now was that cargo for Tuesday or Wednesday…?