The rest of the week M worked with a local aircraft mechanic getting the Hawker ready for her flight west. The plane had been in storage for several years so systems needed to be checked, minor repairs made. Rain arrived on Wednesday, continuing through Thursday and Friday, often at torrential levels. M test flew the Hawker during patches of clearing with rooster tails streaming behind as she taxied for takeoff.
Friday afternoon I went to check on Isabo and found her up to her wheel pants in swamped grass and her cargo area had visible standing water! I panicked – here was my precious girl full of water – her rugs soaked. The guys hustled around and found hangar space. I spent hours sopping up water and trying to suck rugs dry with a shop vac. Unbolted the rear seat to get the carpet out and was thrilled that rear and front were separate sections. The front was dry. No moisture into the avionics. It took the next two days, and a Laundromat dryer before the rugs were dry.
I was not aware of this, and I don’t believe M was either, but the Hawker Fury getting back in the air was a big event locally. People came from all over the area, including one man and his son who drove clear from Chicago hoping to watch her fly. There was a nearly constant stream of visitors. They would hang around talking with each other, offering advice and celebrating when the Hawker took to the air. It was all so very festive, that pouring rain didn’t dampen spirits.
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