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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 2215.PDF
Flight, 7 October I960 Nothing beats these drums Up the river Tocantins in drums — that's the way aviation fuel is delivered to Carolina airport deep in the interior of Brazil. But the Tocantins is a .treacherous river riddled with dangerous rapids. Progress is slow and time after time the big drums must be unloaded to make the river boats light enough to winch by hand through the swirling waters. On the first leg of the 750-mile trip, from Belem to Maraba, no fewer than five of these transhipments may have to be made. And each time the drums must be heaved up the bank and often hand-rolled round the rapids. At one spot, however, a little wood-burning railway does the job. At another, a truck — the only one for miles — helps out. But at a third spot the drums must be dragged through the water. The undergrowth is too dense to go overland. At Maraba, the drums are transferred to smaller, more agile craft. But the endless unloading-hauling- loading sequence continues. Once, twice, three times — perhaps more. It all depends on the state of the river. Sometimes a round trip can take up to seven months to complete. But the supplies get through and an important fuelling stage on the Brazilian network is kept open. The tireless crews make sure of that. And so does Shell. No matter where an airport is situated, Shell will always find a way to supply it. you can be sure of Shell
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