R.A.F. CREWS VISIT CANADA FOR ARCTIC WEATHER EXPERIENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 November 1950, Page 2

R.A.F. CREWS VISIT CANADA FOR ARCTIC WEATHER EXPERIENCE

LONDON, Nov. 20.—Two Lincoln bombers, one commanded by a New Zealander, Squadron Leader E. W. Tacon, formerly of the King's Flight, have returned to the R.A.F. Flying College at Manby, Lincolnshire, after a flight to Canada. The crews went, there to learn from the R.C.A.F. something of the problems of operation and servicing aircraft in very cold climates. During their stay in Canada, the crows visited the National Research Laboratories at Rockliffe, near Ottawa, the Winter Experimental Establishment at Edmonton, and the Cold Weather Station at White Horse in Yukon. At. Edmonton, the R.C.A.F. has an Arctic Survival School to which all aircrews are sent. Accompanied by Rod Indian trappers, small parties go cut. for a period to loarn how to “live off the country’’ and are taught, how 1o build an igloo and how to catch fish through ice. Both the returning R.A.F. crews said they had learned a great, deal about the problems of handling aircraft in very low temperatures. Jet engines, they said, present no problem, but piston engines must be “winterized” if they are to give no trouble. Icing causes little difficulty in flight; the main problem set by cold weather is in servicing aircraft. The R.A.F. flying school at Manby lis commanded by a New Zealander, Air Commodore A. McKee.