NavList:

Yes.

Oil was only one problem. Securing a seaplane afloat is another, often requiring hours of motoring into the changing gale force wind to relieve scanty ground tackle carried on board, this same wind meaning that the sea state did not allow sufficient length for take off.

I once found myself taking off at night from Muscat in a Beaver, to spot gunrunners landing mines. Runway lighting was two Landrovers either side, and a hurricane lamp for direction. The route was 10 miles out to sea, and a hundred miles NW up the Gulf of Oman (topical !) hoping to see at daybreak a small boat motoring towards Pakistan. 1,000' was the best height, out of small arms range, and enough time to switch fuel over when the unguaged tip tanks ran out. The Beaver could do about 5 hours, but oil would get low after about 3. Radial engines are messy things.

The oil filler cap was in between the front seats. Flying with the left hand, and holding a gallon can of BP oil between the legs, the right hand could open the can, take off the oil cap, and pour the oil in. Much of the oil would find its way to the rocker covers, and come out onto the windsceen...