23. Going To Extremes
By checking Google Maps, Smith learned there was an intact runway on the rat-ridden isle. He worked out a plan to get to Japan. He decided to ferry cans containing six hours’ worth of fuel from Adak to Attu, unload them by the runway, return to Adak, wait for the weather to change, then make one long passage. His plan was successful, but he had to fly for 23 hours straight to reach Japan.
24. Just One Gas Station
Adak only has one gas station. Nevertheless, thanks to his airship’s modern engine, which was able to run on either aviation fuel or gasoline, he made it to Japan. Smith told the press he did not know if he would have made it otherwise because when he left the islands he was using “car gas”. After all, there wasn’t anything else available.
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