Kusbay secret military air base

[DavidFrankenberg]

Hi,

Tchouev in his book reports an interview with Molotov who says that while on board in destination of New York, the birtish airplane was supposed to land on a Newfoundland airbase (Canada).

But, an american air force officer advised the soviet pilot not to land there, because of the fog he said that they may crash, he advised him insteaad to land on the secret military airbase of "KUSBAY".

I wonder where is this secret military airbase ?

It is supposed to be near the Newfoundland, it beneficate a micro-climate in the area without fog.
I found one military airbase called Coose Bay, but it is located in Oregon ! at the opposite side of the country (US).

So, does anyone of you have an idea where this military airbase was actually located, please ?

Many thanks

ps : the reading of Molotov/Tchouev suggest strongly that the british wanted Molotov to die in the crash caused by frog. Just before the crash, a soviet officer died in a crash testing the future plane which should have been used for the same trip.

[OpanaPointer]

Could be "Koos Bay".

[DavidFrankenberg]

Could be "Koos Bay".

Like i said, "Koos Bay" is located in Oregon, could not be that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coos_Bay,_Oregon

[OpanaPointer]

My eyes aren't all that sharp anymore.

[reedwh52]

Goose Bay, Labrador.

Based on "War and Diplomacy: The Making of the Grand Alliance" edited by Oleg Aleksandrovich Rzheshevskiĭ, the flight diverted to Goose Bay on the advice of USAAF Colonel Arnold.

in re: the ps: Flying into Gander (an operational flying base of the RCAF) was no more or less dangerous than flying into Goose Bay (a USAAF/RCAF base).
The suggestion by Colonel Arnold could be seen as that of a USAAF officer that the mission divert to a base owned by his service.

It could equally have been seen as a suggestion based on flight crew concerns over engine over-heating on the Pe-8 since Goose Bay was 122 km closer to Reykjavik. The aircraft had engine overheating problems on the flight from Goose Bay to DC, a distance which was 400 km shorter than the previous leg.

[DavidFrankenberg]

Goose Bay, Labrador.

GOOSE BAY
That's right ! Thank you.

Based on "War and Diplomacy: The Making of the Grand Alliance" edited by Oleg Aleksandrovich Rzheshevskiĭ, the flight diverted to Goose Bay on the advice of USAAF Colonel Arnold.

in re: the ps: Flying into Gander (an operational flying base of the RCAF) was no more or less dangerous than flying into Goose Bay (a USAAF/RCAF base).
The suggestion by Colonel Arnold could be seen as that of a USAAF officer that the mission divert to a base owned by his service.

It could equally have been seen as a suggestion based on flight crew concerns over engine over-heating on the Pe-8 since Goose Bay was 122 km closer to Reykjavik. The aircraft had engine overheating problems on the flight from Goose Bay to DC, a distance which was 400 km shorter than the previous leg.

Indeed, the soviet pilot didnt trust at first the american officer. But as they approached the british airbase, he just noted that he was right : there was fog everywhere and a landing wd be dangerous. That's why he reconsidered the american offer and decided to land in Goose Bay.

Looks like the brits tried to "Sikorski" Molotov !

[OpanaPointer]

Quite a deviation. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Happy ... 60.3260842

[DavidFrankenberg]

Quite a deviation. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Happy ... 60.3260842

Yes but when the landing is dangerous, you can do a 800 km deviation. It is a question of life or death.

[OpanaPointer]

Quite a deviation. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Happy ... 60.3260842

Yes but when the landing is dangerous, you can do a 800 km deviation. It is a question of life or death.

Yep. And any landing you can walk, crawl, creep, or swim away from is a good one.

[DavidFrankenberg]

Goose Bay, Labrador.

Based on "War and Diplomacy: The Making of the Grand Alliance" edited by Oleg Aleksandrovich Rzheshevskiĭ, the flight diverted to Goose Bay on the advice of USAAF Colonel Arnold.

in re: the ps: Flying into Gander (an operational flying base of the RCAF) was no more or less dangerous than flying into Goose Bay (a USAAF/RCAF base).
The suggestion by Colonel Arnold could be seen as that of a USAAF officer that the mission divert to a base owned by his service.

It could equally have been seen as a suggestion based on flight crew concerns over engine over-heating on the Pe-8 since Goose Bay was 122 km closer to Reykjavik. The aircraft had engine overheating problems on the flight from Goose Bay to DC, a distance which was 400 km shorter than the previous leg.

Here is the book :
https://books.google.fr/books?id=UePeAQ ... ov&f=false

[DavidFrankenberg]

An other thread dealing with Molotov trip in the axis forum : viewtopic.php?t=112495