THE
LOG
I957
61
\, RC t\ P By L C M L
WITHEROW
Four Air Force Seniors. along with several SenIOrs of the other two Sen路lces. and all the RCAF JunIOrs Journeyed by bus to Comox on November 22nd Arriving late in the evening we were given a meal and then taken to Ollr quarters. The next morning after breakfast we were welcomed to RCAF Station Comox. divided Into groups of SIX or eight and given a Fl ying Officer to guide us on our tour of the station The tour began with a viSit to 407 Squadron's Lancaster display. This. an acttve anti-submarine squadron. has Lancasters equipped with the latest antt-submarine gear. We were then shown a sono-buoy display and given an idea of how submarines are detected and destroyed. This was done by a crew carry 109 out a "dry" run on an imaginary submarine. by lise of a Simulator. 409 Interceptor Squadron was our next stop where we saw CF-I OO's undergOing checkups to keep them in readiness. We were told that this surprisingly large aircraft handles as well on one of its engines as on two. although the climbing characteristics are not the same It seems to be highly praised by all who fly it We were then shown the crew rooms . where crews are constantly on the alert. the briefing room where we were given an account of how intercepllons are made. The control tower was our next stop. its main function being the control of aircraft traffic on the airfie ld and in the air. It has th e latest in radio equipment including VHF and UHF (very and ultra high frequencies). The meteorological department was next on our agenda. Here . the "weather" from everywhere in Canada is collected and given to alrcrew so that they have an idea of winds. ICtng conditIOns. clouds. freezing levels and numerous other effects they may encounter at all altitudes on local or long range trips. At operations we were given a brief resume of how aircraft on the
'VEEKE~D station wcre Itstcd . Ever), aircraft whetha serViceable or unserViceable. location of aircraft III the air whcn on missions. and identification zones were shown In an orderly fashion on a large board After lunch . we proceeded to the maintenance hangar where thc Lancasters. CF-I OO's and T 33's arc givcn their InspectIOns. After seeing the complexity of aircraft In an operational Squadron. one can readily understand why It is necessary to have such highly-trained technicians to keep the aircraft In the air \Ve were then given a lesson In small arms firing at the Ground Defence Section where a sergeant showed us the do's and don 'ts of handling a pistol High est score of the shoot went to S C Mtlls with a score of 46: he took home as a prize an engraved trophy donated by the Officers' Mess. Com ox. One of the most interesting visits of the day was to the Ground Controlled Approach Equipment (known as G.CA.) With the aid of this equipment. an aircraft can be brought down when visibility IS too poor for the pilot to accomplish the landing himself. As It so happened. Stallon Comox was blanketed by a heavy fog during our viSIt. Thus. the condition;; for our being able to see the equipment in operation were ideal Very fortunate indeed were those cadets who were at tbe G.CA. sight when an Expeditor asked for a G.CA. landing. The landing was completed with very little difficulty. It amazes one to think of the progress which science has made in the field of electronics. From here we boarded a bus and were given a tour of the living quarters and the Station generally. We remained on the bus and were taken out to the North East corner of the rUII way where the Station firemen displayed their equipment and how they would rescue a mall from a burning aircraft. Thus ended a very enjoyable and enltghtening trip to Station Comox which 1 am sure not only impressed RCAF cadets. but those of the other two services as well.
FLIGHT FAMILIARIZATION By J C J. G. M.
S1'-IITH
This year. for the first time. the Depart ment of Military Studies arranged for the Junior classes to be taken for a flight In a Canso amphibian. from RCAF Stn. Sea Island . After lunch one afternoon. E Class cltmbed Into a transport and was driven to Pat Bay Here we were diVided into groups of ten. and then the first group boarded the plane The ptlOt taxied on to the water. and lifted the somewhat un gainly plane from the water. The minutes In the air passed all too quickl y for some. and seemed like an eternity to others, who decided
that the infantry was for them During the flight. the Cadets were permitted to go forward to the cockpit. one by one. and observe the actual flYing of the plane. We circled Royal Roads several times. and obtained a unique view of the College and the grounds. While returning we passed over the Naval Dockyard. where we saw the cruiser Ontano. and units of Pacific Command The pilot brought the plane down on the water smoothly. and taxied back up on to the tarmac. For the majonty of us . it was an interesting. informative trip. over far too soon.