December 1953
Personnel
W/C TA Spruston left 30th to assume the duties of STSO at 1 Air Div HQ. S/L TL Byrne was appointed CTechO vice OC Maint. and F/L DW Cooke was appointed OC Maint vice EO 441. Word was received that replacement of Tech/AE Officer would be approximately Feb 54.
13 Technical personnel departed the unit during the month, 21 arrived.
Telecommunications
The unit radio station commenced operation on 555 KC at approximately 10 watts. Unfortunately, at present it cannot be enjoyed by too many because of the low output. However, it is hoped to be improved.
CE Section
Two new Officers' married quarters accepted and occupied.
ME Section
A new Canadian type Fire Truck was received to augment the unit's fire fighting equipment.
A total of 84 vehicles were driven 34558 miles with one accident.
Maintenance
Four personnel attended a course at Rolls Royce Ltd, Derby, on the Nene engine as used in T-33 aircraft. Two SE Techs attended a course at Singer Sewing Machine Co, Leicester.
5 major inspections, 11 minor inspections, 3 engine changes were carried out for a total of 796.55 flying hours. Three flying accidents occurred. One A category, no B category, one C category, one D category. One fatality occurred 16 Dec 53 as a result of a flying accident. Average serviceability for the month was 63.5%.
Armament
A party of the Civil Defence Squadron from Spalding received instruction on Sabre seat ejection. The WArmO attended a conference at Air Ministry London held by the Allied Air Forces Fire, Crash and Rescue Team. S/L Young, WArmO from 3(F) Wing, visited this wing to study target towing.
January 1954
Technical
F/L DJ Miller arrived with a salvage party from salvage unit 2 (F) Wing to salvage Sabres 19167, 19186, 19198.
Wing Maintenance organized a modification section and its operation is proving very satisfactory.
Average a/c serviceability for the month was 67.6% for a total of 639.40 hrs. 11 minor inspections, 7 major inspections, and 4 engine changes were carried out during the month.
Preparation for the move of 439 and 441 squadrons to Acklington was finalized.
F/L W Maguire (EO 410) attended a conference at 49 MU Colerne, Gloucs., to study the installation of "Telescramble" in Sabre aircraft.
9 aircraft of 439 and 441 Sqdns were fitted with AN/ARC 3 radio completing the fitment of this unit in all a/c of the noted squadrons.
ME Section
A program of large scale repairs was commenced on David Brown tractors. Two tractors have been completed to date.
Extra inspection and maintenance was carried out on all vehicles scheduled to proceed with 439 and 441 Sqns to Acklington, 18 vehicles were involved.
Outrigger jacks are being fitted to the 20-ton Lorraine Cranes.
Supply
The first production model of the Sabre Flight Simulator arrived on the unit. The intention of the simulator is to familiarize and improve the flying techniques of Sabre pilots. Training schedules will be set up as soon as the simulator can be located and made operative.
F/O J Chartrand (Supply) arrived from 2 (F) Wing on transfer. He will assume the duties of Supply Liaison Officer on the Wing between main supply section and squadron supply sections.
Armament
The Allied Air Forces Fire, Crash and Rescue Team were located at this wing 27, 28 and 29 Jan 54 to give instruction in retrieving and saving aircrew from jet aircraft of the RAF, RCAF, USAF, fitted with ejection seats and canopies that are in common use in the UK. Approximately 400 personnel of local Civil Defence Squadrons Fire, and Police Sections, etc attended.
The sub-committee that organized the above team and planned its itinerary held a meeting at this unit 28 Jan 54. Mr. Brooker, Mr. Wallace, and S/L Rose of Air Ministry attended.
Three visitors to Wing HQ Armament this week were S/L Orbrecht RAAF from Air Ministry Weapons Branch, S/L Wallace RAF from Air Ministry Armament Engineering Branch and Mr. Sargent from Ministry of Supply. The purpose of their visit was to study methods of target towing and equipment as used by this unit.
Tests were made with a flag having 5/8" diameter discs riveted along its length. This proved quite effective having enabled a lock-on by the sight at 3600 feet instead of 2300 feet as formerly. A new device was tested by the Drogue Flight, with little success. Further tests will be carried out on this type of flag.
Another flag was tested which had been sprayed completely with Atomized Zinc Metal. Spraying was done by Taylor-Bright & Co. Tests did not indicate any great increase on lock-on ranges but further tests will be made in the future.
Five new pieces of equipment used in sight testing were received by Wing Systems recently. This equipment consists of -
The receipt of these items enables the section to carry out tests on the sights which are practically up to factory calibration.
A new A14A Contact Printer was acquired recently by Wing Photo. This is a great improvement over the old type in that the air filled rubber pressure bag is installed. This ensures positive contact between paper and film. Forty eight lights individually controlled, vary intensity of exposure.
Technical advice and tests were given to 439 Sqn on a portable device used for titling Cine Gun Films.This machine has been constructed.
A new butt firing shelter was constucted for Squadrons using the 1000' firing in butt. Constructed of angle iron and covered with heavy canvas this shelter can be moved from one place to another having two new wheels and a front wheel having a towbar attached.
24 Air Cadets were the guests of the station on Sunday and were provided with range facilities by Wing Armament among other attractions offered by the station.
Four 2T/970 Electronic work benches were received as Radar APG-30 Test benches which were assembled and now in use.
Telecommunications
F/L ET Williams departed for Canada for approximately 6 weeks TD at AMC, on telecom problems.
The unit Radio Station is now on the air fairly regularly. Canada has recalled all the tapes used in broadcasting Canadian programs, to make new recordings and re-issue. A contract had been let to a commercial firm to construct "On line" transmitters minus studio equipment, for all wings.
The Air Traffic teletype machine was moved to the operations building. New teletype equipment was installed for the proposed tie-up with Langar and Canairdiv. New hours of operation 0830 hrs - 2000 hrs were instituted to conform with the hours of watch of other Canadian overseas units.
A few AN/ARC3 radio installations were received.These will be installed in aircraft of 410 Sqn when all sets have been received.
The building that formerly housed the APV for manually operated homer has been sold. Recovery action will be taken on the equipment.
The use of RAF Radio teletype link with Canada is restricted due to poor atmospheric conditions and the restrictions will remain in force until normal radio contact can be made.
When messages arrive from the UK and the Continent at the RAF Primary Relay, addressed to Canada, and the above conditons prevail, the normal procedure used is to refile all PRIORITY messages commercially and have them sent via cable. Also when ROUTINE and DEFERRED messages wee held for more than 24 hours they were also refiled.
With this system in use it was costing the Canadian government a great deal of money therefore CANAIRHED has ordered that messages shall be curtailed for this period, subsequent periods of poor radio contact and has designated certain officers only to sign PRIORITY traffic addressed to Canada.
At a lecture for the station airmen this week the PA was set up and tested, when the station had a power failure. The sound truck was brought over and the battery power unit was utilized successfully.
Not very much maintenance is needed on the sound truck, just the occasional re-charging of the batteries.
While the truck is not used very often, all that is required, if needed, is to phone HQ signals.
There is no "good" PA system on the station, the Tech's having to make do until a PA unit arrives from Canada, that has been on order for the past two years.
Work is progressing on repairs to a radio from the station hospital for use by the patients. This is the second radio repaired for the hospital.
It has been necessary to obtain special crystals from RAF sources for the aircraft taking part in the Acklington exercise.
A special cabinet is being made to accommodate the ARC3 crystals which have suddenly increased in number.
Personnel
8 AETechs attended a course at Rolls Royce, Derby, on the Nene engine.
During the month a large scale levelling off of personnel throughout Air Division was effected. Approximately 90 personnel from this Wing were transferred out, with approximately 55 being transferred in.