The JT-3Ds were howling. The high pitched scream of exploding air hitting the relatively cool air 80 degrees was creating a racket though it was sheethed in a cloak of by pass air that itself was above 100 degrees as it had been partially compressed and gone through a short duct.

The flight engineer was watching the engine pressure ratios the exhaust gas temps and rpms. Each engine was producing 98% of the available thrust. Engines stable he called out as it rolled down the runway. The Captain who had seen the Super Connie and the 707-138B was impressed as always. The V-jet was a nice thing he had been flying the V-jet for three years now but still loved its sizzling performance. The bird was leaping forward and it rapidly accelerated down the runway at LAX. 80 knots was called out by the first officer. The airplane continued to rapidly accelerate to the v speeds. v1 was at 140 knots the Captain’s hands were off the throttle. The airplane quickly went to155 knots rotate the airplane climbed at v2 160 knots. It crossed over the ocean that contained the remains of a P-51 and women’s air service pilot. The airplane took the air with authority postiive rate with a singe motion the landing gear lever was lifted the landing gear started its retraction sequence as the airplane continued accelerate and climb into the pacific night.

The fighter pilot had finished his tour he had combat pay, flight pay and he had been watching his finances. Second Row window, first class seat the money had been worth it! His route would take him Honolulu to Fiji then he would actually take the Indian Pacific for a couple weeks at Perth. He had counted rows to the exit he made an escape plan almost intuitively during taxi. It was reflex he mentally rehearsed escapes. That practice had saved his life. He had one escape and was rescued by a Jolly Green from just inside North Vietnam. He had kept the phantom together long enough to get out of Pack 6 and far enough out of danger for the jolly green. The takeoff was mild compared to what he had experienced in the F-4 when he had command with two throttles. For an airliner, it was still suprising. He had heard things about the 138B and this was not surprising.

The control cable moved the elevator up. The muscle from the Captain moved the elevator with its force. He was feeling the airplane when Rotate was called. The engines were turning jet fuel to thrust it was human muscle that moved the elevators and quickly adjust ailerons and rudder that moved the rudder as slight gust of wind. The airplane was climbing over a highway and then beyond Dockweiler state beach over the grave of Woman Air Service pilot. Human muscle and human minds guided the airplane as it climbed and then gently turned as autopilot was turned on to maintain the climb. The Captain called out the incremental retraction of the flaps as the airplane made its way above 10,000 and the turn was made to head to Honolulu.

Over Santa Catalina Island, the navigator got a fix. ADF and VOR navigation would help a couple hundred miles out but beyond that, it was star shot and some of inertial guidance package. The nice thing about the 707 was altitude above the clouds. Winddrift was adjusted for as they crossed Santa Catalina. They were soon out of US airspace.

The clouds were 10,000 feet below the airplane. The plane had leveled off after 20 minutes of flight. The airplane went past Mach .82. The first officer set the throttle for the cruise the V-jet had pep. The engines were at home and the low drag of the design was cutting through the atmosphere as the airplane was now cruising 82% of the speed of sound. In the end, star shots would help get the airplane to Honolulu. The star shots would back up the inertial guidance package as per regulation. The inertial guidance was a modified autopilot that would keep the airplane straight and level in addition to providing

He ordered a steak and coffee with a shot of Jack Daniels. The cream was nice he added a couple extra packets of sugar. This hard driving like the sweetness of Jack for the coffee after his meal the water he drank with the meal meant it to be nice. He took a guess of the position and took a nap. He slept two hours with ease. It was time for a latrine visit then another look out the window. Darkness had engulfed the airplane the clouds could be seen below if craned his neck to the top of the window and down stars could be seen and through the clouds, silvery texture could be noted as the full moon reflected on the Pacific below. The four abreast seating in first class was comfortable. He was going to fly the whole night.

In the cockpit, the four Australians had their own chemistry. The first officer had been on flying boats. The Captain remembered the Kangaroo route as a crewman on the first flying boats. WWII had those moving supplies to the advancing American forces. The flight engineer had flown jets in Korea the navigator was old as the Captain. Pan Aim’s insistence had made things better the inertial guidance helped navigation. The autopilot was worlds better. The airplane seemed to be a marvel. The flight engineer had less work to do the jets been reliable and the four levers instead of 8 had been a great advance. Power control was now directly under the pilots command the flight engineer watched there were indicators on takeoff but as they cruised above 30,000 feet over Mach .8 with the yaw damper keeping her true the Super Connie seemed like a nightmare and the Short flying boat seemed like a Jurassic beast. The flight engineer transfer fuel out of center tank to the wing tanks. The pressurization system was working and the four engine generators and the complex electrical system was working. He was eating fish and chips a little distance away keeping an eye on the systems of his airplane. The tea was good the Captain had coffee he had picked up the habit. The Navigator had tea straight. Things had gotten nice on the cockpit they eating vast chunks of the Pacific. Unlike the Connie or the flying boat, the Navigator was above the clouds and star shots could be taken quickly and accurately. He had his circular slide rule and with one check, he gave the pilot a course correction the winds had varied some it was the third of the night small the airplane was making progress a little less of headwind then expected. The inertial guidance package was effective not perfect.

With the Captain, eating the first officer watched the airplane the four men in the cockpit had a job to do. The job had been made easier by technology. There were two sets of engine gauges the flight engineer watched them the JT-3D had at its core a J-57 which in terms of jet engine was reliable as they came. The Captain finished his meal and took watch the first officer then ate the nav got another star shot which confirmed they were going to arrive 30 minutes earlier. The inertial guidance on the airplane agreed with the navigator another position report was made.

The fighter pilot reclined his seat and napped. They were practically alone Pan Am had left a couple hours ahead of them and a couple flights were in bound to LA but the 2500 mile space of sky was still very much empty. The view had been nice the sound of the flight had been relaxing. The view from the window with stars and clouds had been pretty had had flown at night enjoyed it the idea of a diminished view but with booze and good meal served to you was definitely nice. The savings had paid off he was enjoying the trip on Qantas he would take Pan Am on the trip back. First class was worth the extra money he spent for the ticket the nap in comfort was nice.

Two hours ticked away in the cockpit meals had been eaten the flight engineer watched the vitals. The nav made another two star shots confirming what the inertial guidance package was telling them. The call came they were now approaching the islands. They were now in Hawaii Center’s control. Descent from over 35,000 feet had started the Boeing was slow to shed speed.

The pilot heard the shift in engines he quickly headed to the lav and realized the airplane was in a gradual descent. He wished he would have access to cockpit audio he knew the controllers and he had a couple friends stationed in Hawaii. Those friends were fighter pilots in the air force. He took his seat to see the trip come to its close. He knew the neighborhood so the speak. He was on the southern side of the airplane so he could see some of other islands there was a slight jig which would allow the airplane to land to west. Honolulu was on the southern side of island. He saw the geometry play out his eyes a fighter pilot could see that looked like a stabilized approach he noted where on the runway the airplane touched and he noted the feel as the large airplane decelerated. The young major who had been a part of wolf pack was appreciative of what happened. He enjoyed the taxi a couple United Airlines DC-8s, a couple BAC-11s and newer DC-9s were on inter-island duty on the far right. He could see quite clearly a Pan AM 707-300C parked as they disembarked. He would sit in the lounge for a couple hours before the journey across the ocean would continue. His legs had grown accustomed to flying the long pauses. The warmth of a familiar place had greeted him it was good to be back if only for a little while. As he walked out on the tarmac from the air stair, he could see a new section of the airport with jet ways under construction. He took lei and smiled. He would after a stop in Nadi be bound for Sydney the night was still young.

He walked to the bathroom and he noticed the café was closed along with a gift shop. The main terminal building showed signs of life it was hardly a full slumber. HNL was a transpacific crossroads its role significant because it was a few thousand miles away from everywhere. It was in reach of Anchorage San Francisco, LA, flights to Guam and onto the Philipeans could be made. There was an Air France flight to Tahiti 707-300B, Air New Zealand had a DC-8 on the tarmac. The walk loosened his legs. He took a look around the airport, which was not truly in slumber. The crossroads never truly slept. As he checked in the sound of 707 crackled a Branniff flight was bound for Vietnam it had departed Travis near San Francisco a charter. A pair of F-102s landed they were with the Air National Guard defending the Island. The bulk of the jets on the tarmac all had at their core a remarkable similarity. The J-57 engine compressor fuel system and turbine was a common denominator between war bird and civilian where it was referred to as the JT-3 either turbo jet or turbo fan. He did not speak much the ticket attendant was most definitely Australian enjoying an exotic posting. He could hear talk aussies homeward bound. They intended to take a couple days at Fiji before heading back to work. He could hear the talk. They had saved some money and enjoyed seeing Hollywood.

The call for the plane to be board for Nadir the group walked out to the airplane. The boarding pass he would be on south facing window seat. He would indulge in another drink. It was near midnight a C-141 arrived he could see it from the window. The four JT-3Ds were started up. The 138B would be phased out somewhat for the -300B which could make it Honolulu to Sydney non stop. Talk was Pan Am’s big plane on the drawing board the 747. He realized how unromantic such a big airplane would be.

The 707 was loaded from two ends with two sets of air stairs. He took his seat 3D. Soon the airplane was towed to where it could be started then one by one each of the JT-3Ds was started. The taxi to the active runway occurred fairly quickly as the safety briefing was given. As he watched the taxi he had two sets of feelings on he was happy not to worry the other more contradictory he wanted to be on the flight deck. The inertial guidance package was nice but the airplane still needed a navigator this run though would be a bit easier some of islands had radio stations which would help provide a fix this would aid to star shots getting to Nadi would be easier. With the building roar of the jets it was clear it was time to go further off into the night.

The acceleration was noticeably less then his F-4 phantom yet the run to Fiji did not totally stretch the bird. There fewer people on board he could see Diamond Head and the airplane turned to the south and west. Soon the fasten seat belt sign was turned off. The meal was prawns and chips. He had a Foster’s beer to go with it along with tonic water. The lights of the cabin gotten subdued. The guy sitting next to him had suggested the Fosters. Once the meal was served “What brings you to Australia?” The response came back “Wanted to see Perth and take the Indian Pacific “ The two men looked at each other “Vietnam” there was moment of unease I “flew what you call OH-13s” a mate of mine is the navigator on board he lives in Perth he would be happy to show you around.” When the meal was picked up he wrote a note to give the flight attendant. A few minutes later the flight attendant came back with “The Captain says the jump seat is open if you want take a look in the cockpit” The Fosters was strong he drank some water and walked to the cockpit. The flight attendant opened the door.

He could see the navigator do a start shot make some quick calculations. He looked at the inertial guidance package. Things were going the way they should. He introduced himself and gave his number. The two talked “If you are interested in fishing I will take out I just got out of Air force flying Canberras” The pilot thanked him he got the phone number and an explanation of how the Australian phone system worked the two would be able to make a fishing trip after he crossed Australia by rail. The Captain asked about his flying record “We might have a use for you in Qantas” the offer was alluring. If you want a tour I know who will be taking to Sydney if you want to see a walk round on the 707. The phantom pilot found it interesting. He decided to take the offer this was an interesting trip. He went back for a lav visit then a nap.

The nap was great when coupled with his other nap and he woke as the airplane was a gradual descent to Nadi. Those passengers not going to stay in Fiji would not have to go through customs but they had to stay in a small area of the airport. The 138B was fueled and the relief crew arrived. One of them noticed want to take a look at the airplane. The major responded sure. He had done pre-flights on F-4s the precursor check on the 707 was interesting. He was familiar with the engine’s core the fan was explained to him. The flight engineer checked the fuel for the down hill run to Sydney. The airplane was going to use a lot of runway and fuel was verified. The fuel load was not quite as high as LAX to HNL but it was still substantial since the winds tended to be blustery and the airplane was making its way into it. They had reserves but the long flight had to be watched. The flight engineer knew the systems. The control cables were looked by means of a flash light the breaks were all looked at along with the tires. The density altitude at Fiji would put some stress on the wheels and tires. The attitude of the pre-flight was serious the flight engineer was almost giving a class and asked the pilot’s judgment “Do you trust her with your life mate?” The tone had a hint of sarcasm the response came back “Yeah I trust her to get me to Sydney and serve me some tea with scone” There was a smile “So you were with the wolf pack?” Yes “Jolly good show you know about twin engines and crew I response” the plane was being boarded the F-4 pilot found his seat.

He had a rough idea what the Vspeeds were roughly and for the third time he watched the safety briefing being performed by a rather attractive stedwress. She made eyes at him she had known he had gotten a bit of a VIP tour. The plane finished its taxi.

Once the cockpit door was closed the mood got serious the fuel load was confirmed the manifest looked at the V1, Vr and V2 were computed on a table. The flight engineer was impressed by the passenger but as the engines started the conversation would have to wait. The four engines were live he looked at the whole host of gauges that told him how each engine was doing as they started and the airplane taxied. It was near full fuel unlike Hawaii leg it was not fully full fuel. The differnce was about 100 feet of runway not used and a bit of a faster climb. The fans were a nice touch and the equipment was also being sold to Branniff as it was replaced by -300Bs loads on the 707s were increasing. Filling the -138B with passengers was becoming more common place. Qantas was interested in the 747. The flight crew taxied the out The runway was 20 which made it a very short taxi the pre takeoff checklist was recited and gone through during the short taxi. The Captain calmly went through the briefing we lose one engine straight out runway heading. We lose two engines at v2 10 degree bank till we get a 20 degree course put us over the bay level out build up air speed 300 then climb to 10,000 take off 98 percent power its humid its warm.

The pilot got clearance they knew Pan Am was going to be arriving a few minutes later. The Captain having gone through the checklist was confident as he lined up on the center line smoothly advanced the throttles “stable 98%” the first officer was watching the airspeed indicator the left hand of the Captain on all four throttles 115 v1 the hand was removed from the throttles two tick marks passed down the runway rotate. The airplane rolled 50 more feet the altimeter started winding positive rate gear up the first officer too the gear and before the airplane crossed the end of the airport the gear had been retracted Nadi tower had told them to Nadi departure. They were told they could turn on departure heading first of three flap retractions occurred as the airplane climbed and accelerated they could fly a profile that was aimed at saving fuel. Soon the last of the flaps were retracted they were above 10,000 feet. The Captain made a comment “Pardon me for saying this but I do not miss the Connie one bluddy bit.” The four men laughed as the navigator got a fix. The reliability of the jets the altitude performance of the jets along with their speed had made their lives easier. Position report every hour there were 4 to be given. They were well on their way to 38,000. Fasten Seat belt was turned off. What do you think of the chap 2A? The flight engineer responded “Fighter pilot only half house broken quiet combat vet he enjoyed being on the ramp and taking a look around the airplane interested. He could probably watch the engines for me he knows a whole lot about J-57 recited the ratios as if he were in front of a ground school instructor must have flown the hun before the F-4 Phantom…flew with Robin Olds I saw Vietnam in him he just got back taking vacation.” He took his RnR at Thai beach more then likely sipped some singhas had a rod in his hands. The fighter pilot knew how to relax. The man knows what he wants. The captain was intrigued by a fellow pilot who saved his money so he could fly first class to Australia. He took his Tea straight as the first officer watched the controls he ate the ham and cheese quickly.

The fighter pilot figured after hearing the flight time he could get three more hours of sleep. Railroads were a point of fascination. They contained another hint of romance. The pre-flight inspection of the airplane had been very interesting the flight engineer was surprised how much about the engines of the airplane the fighter jock knew about. The air had been humid he had never gotten that up close and personal the flight would occur over Mach .84 the airplane was being opened up. The nap allowed him gather some sleep for a day on the rail. He was awoken to a ham and cheese omlet with English Tea.

The flight had passed north of New Zealand the winds had been greater then expected the extra fuel would be used. They could make it to Brisbane easily if Sydney looked bad and Canberra was fogged in yet at New Zealand they were informed the sky had had been clear and water temps of the harbor were not conducive to fog. The Navigator had earned his keep. It was great to hear Australian voice as the airplane had begun a let down to Sydney.

After the meal it was trip to lavatory then it was time to watch the descent into Sydney. The first class seat was comfortable to sleep on the money had been well spent. The first class omlett was good the silver wear. The mixture of that ramp view. He could see Australia come into view out his window as the sun began to rise. One of his friends had been lost and avenged in one quick mission. His back seatrers had saved his life. He had some nightmares. He would use this vacation to decide what next he had a choice of duty assignments or the allure of airlines Qantas was flirting with him. The idea of six hours straight and level at a shot did not appeal to him but the route structure of Qantas was interesting he was intrigued by the potential of a move. It never hurt to be good to yourself chasing women and fish Perth seemed like good fun. The fasten seat belt sign he could see Australia fold out beneath him. Another stabilized approach through a clear sky it was severe clear. He knew what the cockpit crew had seen. He would check out general aviation perhaps he could instruct aerobatics. The landing was good just beyond the numbers and the piano keys not a greaser but purposeful. An Australian official ran Lysol through the airplane and cold air filled cabin he put on his flight jacket and then disembarked.

Fishing with his new found friends one Australian Army the other Qantas was a great experience. He loved the wide open spaces of Australia. There were many aspects of the Australian lifestyle that appealed to him. In the end he wound up with Hawiian Air National Guard and managed to secure life as first a flight engineer on the -338Bs then 1st officer on 747s crossing the Pacific.