(The storm in the distance. Photo: Jeremy Davey. Image taken with a Fujifilm DS-515A Digital Card Camera)

It was 1530hrs local time and the radio crackled to life:

"Pit Station, Pit Station, this is Feisal Tower."

Robert Atkinson reached for the Radio A handset:

"Feisal Tower, this is Pit Station. Send."

"Pit Station, there is cumulus at 4000ft and stratocumulus at 6000 ft. A thunderstorm is expected." - or a lot of detailed words to that effect.

"I don't believe it!" someone said. "It's going to rain."

(The storm front advances across the desert. Photo: Jeremy Davey. Image taken with a Fujifilm DS-515A Digital Card Camera)

We've seen this sketch before - everyone went quietly into action closing up the Aireshelta, securing loose items, making sure the Pegasus microlight was tied down. Before long those Fetcher track markers without stones in their bases were scooting across the desert and a bank of dust was advancing across the desert. The Jordanian soldiers on guard thought the Brits must be made - while they were hiding in their truck, the ThrustSSC team members were out with their camera taking pictures. Would it be the other way round on a drizzly English summer day?

Robert Atkinson had only got his weather station up and running an hour previously - with the anemometer and weathercock on the front Pit Station mast. The results would have been interesting if it hadn't been for the static - more of that later.

(The storm approaches the Desert Pits. Photo: Jeremy Davey. Image taken with a Fujifilm DS-515A Digital Card Camera)

As the dust front approached it looked like it would miss the Desert Pits, although the air base would get the full brunt of the storm. Suddenly the wind changed the dust veered towards the pits. As the nearby RJAF vehicles were hit the team members grabbed their cameras and ran for shelter - in the Merlo, Jaguar Firechase, Pit Station or a Discovery. The dust struck, and with it came spatterings of rain. Feisal Tower called again to check that everyone was OK - and received a confirmation that that was the case.

'Sheraton' also called - the team members back at base were concerned for those on the desert. Their minds were quickly put at rest.

(The storm on the Jafr Desert. Photo: Jeremy Davey. Image taken with a Fujifilm DS-515A Digital Card Camera)

In the Pit Station the team were riding out the attack when a persistent crackling rose in volume. The radio aerials were conducting static down through the coaxial cables into the interior. Adam quickly disconnected his radios - but missed the scanner unit on the other side of the room. The crackling rose again and Robert reached for it - only to receive a massive jolt of static electricity. In the end the only option was to cut the aerial lead with insulated cutters. The base end continued to spark like an oversized gas lighter. Fortunately the battery charging takes place at the other end of the trailer...

(The Web Camera image of the storm)

Robert's weather station continued to take wind speed, direction, temperature and pressure - reaching a peak of 45mph before the static put it out of action. The Web Camera on the roof of the Pit Station recorded a superb dust storm picture on this Web Site before the increasing static levels made disconnecting the satellite equipment and computers a prudent course of action - severing the data link to the UK.

(The Jaguar Firechase streaked in dust after the storm. Photo: Jeremy Davey. Image taken with a Fujifilm DS-515A Digital Card Camera)

Not much longer and the wind had died and the dust was settling. Equipment was reattached to its aerials and power supplies. The radios were tested and satellite link brought back online. Finally one last radio call from Adam:

"Feisal Tower, this is Pit Station."

"This is Feisal Tower. Go ahead."

"Advise you all is well on the desert. Thank-you for the weather warning!"

"You're most welcome!"

	Sponsored by	This site best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3