advantage of all day light hours for flying.
L-4 aircraft are pro-
hibited, by AAF regulations, from operating after official sundown.
On 10 January, the first mishap occurred when high winds nosed
over one of the l-4's, leaving it with a broken propellor and a
damaged airscoop.
Most of the limited stock of parts on hand were
exhausted to overhaul the engine of the wrecked L-4,, taking advantage
of the waiting time for the new propellor and airscoop to be delivered
from Oahu.
The remaining L-4 stayed in service and maintained the
record under a strain of continuous flying done by the two pilots.
During this time maintenance checks were more frequent because of the
steady operation of the one aircraft.
The use of MOGAS, which was later found to be contaminated with
diesel fuel, resulted in having to overhaul the engine in the L~4
which was in operation.
While performing maintenance on this aircraft,
parts were transferred to make the othenflyable.
As soon as the over-
haul was completed the aircraft was put back into operation while the
other awaited parts.
Numerous wires were sent to expedite delivery of
the urgently needed L-4 parts, without visible results.
|
Arrangements were made to obtain one 1-5 and one OY-1 both inoperable, from Kwajalein with the hope of making one flyable aircraft from
the combined parts of both.
Both planes were shipped from Kwajalein to
Eniwetok and the preparation of the OY-1, the better of the two, was
begun immediately.
While assembly of the OY~l was progressing, word
was received that additional aircraft were being shipped to meet the
LL
Section Vib