Courtesy of Ted Hackett

(L-R) - Sgt. Ted Hackett, Cpl. Paul Verville (deceased), LAC Ed Mullen, LAC Roy Smalley, Cpl. Bush O'Bear (white T-shirt), LAC Vic Cousineau (red cap), LAC Jim Cochrane, and LAC Chuck Attwood (in the shade).

Comments by Edward Mullen

The tent is a transportable photo darkroom (detachment pack-up kit). It was made of heavy canvas, with a black rubberized interior. This was where 1000 - 2000 feet or more of 16 mm B & W Cine film was loaded and processed each day in temperatures of up to 110 F. (43 C.). Processing chemicals had to be cooled down by a jacket of ice cubes to a workable temperature. While loading film magazines, it was done at almost arms length to prevent sweat dripping from the tip of your nose onto the film and eventually causing a mag. jam. It was the "darkroom from hell" and only used that once during my tour. Thereafter, the small Base Photo Section was used for all darkroom work. It was located about 1 1/2 km from the airstrip operations. Most all of our transportation was by bicycle. Occassionally, you could scrounge a ride with other trade crews equipped with vehicles. Everyone consumed large quantities of soft drinks and salt pills to help prevent stomach cramps and dehydration. The other concerns were sunburn and heat stroke, ... along with not leaving a piece of skin stuck to an aircraft. As you can see, any time in the shade was a bonus.

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Updated: February 26, 2005