-
Forum
-
Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club
-
DISCUSSION
-
The DEW Line Film
The DEW Line Film
Less
More
-
Posts: 6115
-
Thank you received: 999
-
-
Less
More
-
Posts: 1131
-
Thank you received: 526
-
2 years 5 months ago #238380
by gauntjoh
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed the film especially dropping the D4 from the plane with an inadequate parachute !
John Gaunt, ACMOC Director, UK
The following user(s) said Thank You:
Fat Dan
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Less
More
-
Posts: 6115
-
Thank you received: 999
-
-
Less
More
-
Posts: 738
-
Thank you received: 194
-
2 years 5 months ago - 2 years 5 months ago #238383
by Fat Dan
I remember seeing this move in school when we first got to Alaska in 1964 - 65. We were also inundated with survival moves. By the time my family arrived in late 64 the DEW was pretty much obsolete. I do remember the news of them being shut down and some of them being disabled.for scrap. Not sure if the site near Nome is still there.
Way back when I was knee high to long legged Hillbilly my brother and I would go fishing way out back off the beaten path, On our way to a favorite spot we would walk by some gigantic wheels attached to four or five huge trailers all connected on a row. Then one day they were gone. They were the ugliest orange I've ever seen but they could be seen fore miles in the snow.
Here is The World's Largest Overland Vehicles - LeTourneau's Land Trains
ACMOC Member
Traxcavator: 60, 955E 12A08263; 57, 955C 12A04040; 57, 955C 12A03563.
1954 No.12 Diesel Motor Grader 8T14777.
1945 No.12 Diesel Motor Grader 9K9320; 9K9982
1944-46 Adams Model No. 311 Motor Grader
1943 IH T9 Tractor w/ Bullgrader Blade
Last edit: 2 years 5 months ago by
Fat Dan. Reason: Clarity
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Less
More
-
Posts: 6638
-
Thank you received: 930
-
2 years 5 months ago - 2 years 5 months ago #238387
by Deas Plant.
Hi, Fat Dan.
That "but they could be seen fore miles in the snow." was EXACTLY the reasons why they were painted that "ugliest orange I've ever seen".
I 'yain't' sure but I suspect that one or two of those trailers may now reside somewhere in back of the Eureka Roadhouse out along the Glenn Highway. (Not sayin' how I heard that. LOL.)
This link might interest you:
Just my 0.02.
You have a wonderful day. Best wishes. Deas Plant.
Last edit: 2 years 5 months ago by
Deas Plant.. Reason: added info.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Less
More
-
Posts: 10
-
Thank you received: 0
-
2 years 5 months ago #238412
by Diesel 40 Don
Hello, Fat Dan, I'm not sure where you got your information but the DEW Line and associated White Alice system were in full operation in 1964 and continued operating until the late 1970s. My father was the travelling electrician from late 64 until it shut down, then continued with RCA Alascom, modifying the sites they took over as civilian telephone relay stations. He travelled all over the state and I believe he was at each site several times at least. In addition to the main troposcatter system, they also had short range microwave links for local communication. Of course each of those sites had generators and there were a couple dozen scattered around the state. He was rarely home, as he fixed one problem another site would have a failure and he would be sent there. He also installed upgrades to the power generation and distribution equipment so there wasn't much off time. He commented one time that he hated to hear the phone ring because it usually meant he was being sent back out.
As for the LeTourneau Road Train, I got to see it in operation. The Army brought it out of Anchorage by railroad and it sat in Palmer for awhile, then they drove it to Fairbanks up the Glenn and Richardson Highways. Of course all us locals gawked at it sitting there, then I saw it on the road north of Palmer as it was heading out. It was definitely an impressive sight just parked, rolling along the road was even more impressive to me as a Junior High age boy.
I enjoyed the videos, thanks to those who posted them. If my father were still alive I'm sure he would have some comments on them!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
-
Forum
-
Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club
-
DISCUSSION
-
The DEW Line Film
Time to create page: 0.153 seconds