ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

Issu ed on th e au th ority of
THE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF
Royal Canadian Air Force

VOLUME 10, No. 7 SEPTEMBER 1958

* * * CONTENTS * * *
THIS MONTH'S COVER
page
On the Break. 1

j k k

End of N.A.T.O. Training... 2

The Siskins. 4
The Problem of the "Fly-Over".... 8
Recalling Pilot Officer Prune.. .. .. . . 10
How to Fly Without Looking. .. . 14
No. 412 Squadron: Part 2 .. 18
Paradise at Parent. 30
j k k

Seven R.C.A.F. jet aircraft, four F-86 Sabres

What's the Score? 16 and three T-33 Silver Stars, over the Victoria
Gates ot the Canadian National Exhibition,
The Suggestion Box. 23 Toronto, introduce the International Air Show,
September 1957,
R.C.A.F. Association.... 24
Royal Canadian Air Cadets 26
Pin-Points in the Past.. . 28
Letters to the Editor 32 "The Roundel" is published ten
times each year, and the annual sub-
k k k scription rate is two dollars. All or-
ders and correspondence regarding
World's First V.T.O. Airliner.. 12 subscriptions should be addressed
R.M.C. Wind Tunnel. 13 to: The Queen's Printer, Ottawa,
Summer Camp Sunshine. 13 Ontario.
C.N.E. Tri-Service Precision Drill Team 17
Giant British Helicopter Begins Trials. 29
EDITORIAL OFFICES:
North Bay Sharpshooters 32 R.C.A.F., Victoria Island,
Ottawa, Ont.

Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa.

 ON
THE
BREAK

'['rs month, coincidental with the staging of the

1958 International Air Show at the C.N.E., we
present our modest contribution to the continuous
campaign for flight safety in the R.C.A.F. We
have purposely linked this subject to the most
spectacular form of R.C.A.F. public demonstration-
the air show-because we feel the two are really
inseparable.
During the first few years of its existence, THE
ROUNDEL was actively engaged in the operational
training field and, indeed, was published by the
Directorate of Training Aids at A.F.H.Q. With
the expansion of the service over the past decade,
several essentially technical publications have been
created to deal in specific fields and THE ROUNDEL
has gladly relinquished its responsibilities in this
regard. For example, FLIGHT COMMENT is
the present-day voice of the Directorate of Flight P.O. Prune believes in it.
Safety, and we hasten to assure our colleagues on
the staff of that informative and productive journal
that we have no intention of encroaching upon their
sphere of influence. clueless clot, Pilot Officer Percy Prune (page 10).
Basically, flying safety depends on air discipline, Prune's name actually appeared in the Air Force
a short definition of which could be "obedient List and he had an Air Ministry telephone through-
response to training." A necessary ingredient of out his mercurial career. Most of the points he
any co-ordinated effort, discipline becomes a vital made are as applicable to today's fly-boys as they
factor in the air because the stakes are life itself- were 15 years ago.
and in the case of public flying demonstrations, k k k
not only the lives of the participating aircrews.
The first of three articles on this theme recalls
the exciting story of "The Siskins" (page 4), an ()ex House at several R.C.A.F. stations will be
R.C.A.F. aerobatic team which in 1931 toured held on 27 September as the airforce co-operates
from coast to coast and was the forerunner of a with Kiwanis International in its annual sponsorship
long line of aerial exhibitions which have kept of "Kids' Day".
Canadians abreast of our progress in the skies over Promoted in most of the 4500 communities in
the years. Canada, the United States and Hawaii where
Some of the present-day problems associated Kiwanis Clubs are located, this day is set aside
with the presentation of air shows are each year in recognition of the important part
discussed in the reprint from FLYING magazine played by youngsters in society. Special public
on page 8. It stresses the fact that the public and ceremonies, entertainments and award presentations
public officials must be made cognizant of the honour them as our leaders of tomorrow.
responsibilities and dangers involved in staging This is the second year the R.C.A.F. has partici-
these demonstrations. pated. The air base tours are designed to assist
The third article in this triumvirate deals with the kids to a better understanding of the airforce
one of the cleverest gimmicks ever used to put and provide them with information on vocational
across the flight safety message during the Second opportunities within the service.
World War. This was the creation in TEE EMM,
the R.A.F.'s training manual, of that singularly

SEPTEMBER 19.58
N.A.T.O. salutes Canada, R.C.A.F. Station Winnipeg, 19 July 1958, at a ceremony which...

Marks End of N.A.T.O. Training

[V] ±BER nations of the North Air Marshal Sir Hugh Constan- The text reads: "This scroll is
Atlantic Treaty Organization tine, K.B.E., D.S.O., deputy chief dedicated to the Royal Canadian
Air Force in recognition of its
recently paid Canada tribute for of staff for plans and policy at
outstanding contribution to the
eight years' successful operation Supreme Headquarters, Allied North Atlantic Treaty Organization
of the N.A.T.O. Air Training Plan. Powers Europe, presented to Air through the training scheme under
The Wings Parade of one of the Marshal Hugh Campbell, C.B.E., which 5,575 pilots and navigators
last courses of N.A.T.O. navigators C.D., R.C.A.F. chief of the air of N.A.T.O. countries were trained
to graduate at R.C.A.F. Station staff, an illuminated scroll during to wings standard in Canada during
the years 1951-58. Supreme Head-
Winnipeg on 19 July was chosen the hour-long parade symbolizing quarters, Allied Powers Europe,
for the ceremony. the end of the programme. Paris."

2 THE ROUNDEL
Flanked by Lieutenant Aris Botas of the Royal Hellenic
Air Force (left) and Lt. Roger Steens of the Belgian
Air Force, Lt. Lorenzo Conte of the Italian Air Force
carries the scroll presented to the R.C.A.F. on behalf
of the N.A.T.O. nations.

Air Marshal Hugh Campbell accepts from Air Marshal

Sir Hugh Constantine S.H.A.P.E's symbol of appre-
ciation for the R.C.A.F's efforts over the past eight
years.

The N.A.T.O. Star and the Queen's Colour of the R.C.A.F. lead the flags of the 12 nations whose airmen trained in
Canada.

SEPT EE} 19 58
3
 BY FLYIN G O FFIC ER J. D. BURGE

['rs sun peeked down between the heavy, wind-blown clouds for a in Cleveland in September 1929.
moment, as if to catch a glimpse of the four objects hurtling towards the Flying clubs across Canada were
heavens. On the ground, thousands of eyes strained against the light to hosts to each show and usually
follow the progress of four Silver Stars in a "sunburst" at R.C.A.F. took part in the displays with a
Station Rockcliffe. It was 1600 hours on 14 June 1958. On that afternoon performance of their own. T.M.
at 22 centres hundreds of thousands of spectators watched displays of Reid, who flew a Puss Moth,
Canada's airpower in the 12th annual Air Force Day show. was leader of the Pageant. W.J.
Participating for the first time at several R.C.A.F. stations was the Sanderson, President and General
mighty Argus. Representing Canada's fighter strength were the CF-100 Manager of Fleet Aircraft of
and Sabre. From Air Transport Command came the Comet, North Canada, played a prominent role
Star, C-119 and Dakota, while flying in formation ahead of the Argus in the undertaking. Others who
were the Neptune and Lancaster from the Maritime Air Command. spearheaded the Pageant included
Harvards, Chipmunks, Mitchells, Cansos, Expeditors and helicopters G. O'Brian, M. Foss, R. Vachon,
rounded out the aerial shows. On display in the hangars were engines B. Martin, B. Ressenguier, G. Dean,
ranging from the Gypsy Major to the Orenda. Viewed by the spectators G. Bennett, P. Reid, H.H. Richards,
were the ejection seats, rockets, para-rescue and survival equipment H. Madden, P. Troup and J.
used by the R.C.A.F. in this age of jet aircraft. Warren.
THE BACKGROUND
Aircraft displays and flying ex- THE PILOTS
under the direction of G.M. Ross,
hibitions are as old as aviation Executive Secretary of the Canadian Most of the Siskin pilots who
itself. The ascension of balloons Flying Clubs Association. Its pur- flew in the Trans-Canada Pageant
in the 19th century, the pioneer pose was to familiarize Canadians commenced flying as a team at
flights of the Wright brothers, with aviation and its future through Camp Borden in 1930 under the
Baldwin and McCurdy-all were a series of air shows between direction of Flt. Lt. F.V. Beamish,
watched with insatiable interest. Sydney, N.S., and Vancouver, B.C. an R.A.F. exchange officer. They
Thousands applauded the efforts At the time many Canadians, made their first public appearance
of airmen to conquer the English particularly those in the west, had as an organized aerobatic team on
channel and millions in the old never seen a fighter aircraft and 8 August 1930 when they partici-
and new world were thrilled by some were even unaware of the pated in the Camp Borden Sports
the exploits of the men who crossed R.C.A.F.'s existence. Day exhibition. Less than a month
the Atlantic between 1919 and The Pageant was built around later, they performed aerobatics
the early 30's. the R.C.A.F.'s Siskin Aerobatic and flew in mock combat at the
This development of interest in Team which consisted of five Canadian National Exhibition,
aviation among Canadians was Siskins accompanied on the tour Toronto, and they made three
sparked by the Trans-Canada Air by a tri-motor Ford and a Fair- other public appearances that fall:
Pageant of 1931. The pageant child '71°. The Siskins had at Montreal on 4-5 September, in
was organized through the co- gained prominence through their the Kitchener Air Show on 20
operation of the R.C.A.F., aircraft aerobatic displays two years earlier September and at Ottawa on
manufacturers and flying clubs at the U.S. National Air Races 5 October.

4
TM£ ROUT{DEL
 The 1931 Siskin Aerobatic team THE SHOW After the opening show at
was led by Acting Squadron Leader Hamilton the Pageant proceeded
R.W. Hewson and his pilots in- Prior to the opening of each to Windsor for shows on 4-5 July.
cluded Flt. Lt. W.I. Riddell, Flying show, Flt. Lt. Riddell performed The R.C.A.F. flight moved into
Officers F.M. Gobeil, R.C. Hawtrey aerobatics for 20 minutes to excite the United States and touched
and E.A. McNab. Pilot of the the interest of the spectators. down at County Wayne Airport,
Ford tri-motor which accompanied With his wheels skimming the Detroit, Southbend, Madison, St.
them was Flt. Lt. J.A. Boret, an ground, he would fly his Siskin Paul, Fargo, Pembina and Winnipeg
R.A.F. exchange officer. Sgt. V. around a loop, allowing his "bottom en route to Brandon for a show on
S. Roberts flew the accompanying spot" again to clear the ground by 10 July. During the next three
Fairchild. a few feet. In addition he did a weeks the Pageant displayed its
In May of 1931 the Siskins left few dives, slow rolls, a falling leaf,
flying skills to thousands at Regina,
their home base of Camp Borden a spin and glided on his back-all Moose Jaw, Calgary, Grand Forks,
and flew to St. Hubert for six the while keying up the spectators Vancouver, Edmonton, North
weeks of intensive training in and getting them ready for the Battleford, Saskatoon and
preparation for the tour. Forma- opening. Winnipeg.
tion slow rolls, spins, dives and Then followed the programme At Regina an estimated 20,000
the "Prince of Wales Feathers" with W.J. Sanderson stunting in a people watched the aerobatics. Of
were to become an exciting feature Fleet. He would fly across the particular interest to the spectators
at every show in which they field upside down, in close forma- was the fact that one of their own
participated. They practised daily tion with Flying Officers Hawtrey sons, Flying Officer McNab, was
until the end of June. and Gobeil in other Fleets. Next a member of the Siskins. In com-
On 1 July at Hamilton the followed B. Martin flying as Dr. menting on the show, the Regina
Trans-Canada Pageant got under- Dore in the Aeronca. Then came Leader-Post of 13 July wrote:
way amid scorching heat. The a parade of transports and a brief
opening was marred by tragedy. act by G. O'Brian in a Puss Moth. "By far the greatest thrill given
As was the practice, the show This was followed by B. Ressenguier spectators at the Trans-Canada
opened with a "rat race" around demonstrating the Aeronca, G. Air Pageant was the flight of three
the city in which all planes partic- Dean in the autogiro, G. Bennett's Siskin planes of the Royal
ipated. As they were returning parachute jump and the Siskins Canadian Air Force which roared
to the field, one of them plunged in the Grand Finale. The local in many types of formation across
to the ground, carrying five persons flying club's act would usually be the airfield.
to their deaths. The accident presented half way through the "Only three of the five Siskins
occurred a few yards in front of programme. took to the air, but despite this,
the spot where the Siskins were
standing. Retired as Wing Commander, May 1942. Retired as Group Captain, October 1957.

Flt. Lt. F.V. Beamish Flying Officer E.A. McNab Flying Officer R.C. Hawtrey Flying Officer F.M. Gobeil

4 ]
\

Ag
.
r »s s
r
'{'
I '
» 4r
_.%-=+-»---ss. AA&.{ ® Qua»

5
 d They did
Air Races at Clevelanc..
this without suffering a serious
accident.

THE SEQUEL
At the conclusion of the tour
Sqn. Ldr. Hewson paid a warm
tribute to his flying partners.
n% 4
Hewson was a man who knew
airmen. He flew in Europe during
the First World War and later flew
·», " · a;bs in Iraq and with the Royal Air
--- --~~---- "--'--'---......,__~~ ,s;_=-,.~..o., • . ~
Force. Of his Siskin pilots he said:
Siskins, on the line and ready to go. "I would just as soon have these
lads with me in time of trouble
as any airmen in the World."
Reginans were given an oppor- Halifax and Charlottetown where These remarks were justified
tunity of seeing a former Regina they gave one day flying demon- less than a decade later. McNab
boy fly one of the speedy planes. strations. From Halifax the Siskins became the first member of the
Flying Officer Ernest McNab, son returned to Central Canada and R.C.A.F. to win the Distinguished
of Archie P. McNab of Regina, was proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, for Flying Cross during the Second
pilot of one of the Siskins flying the U.S. National Air Races World War and Gobeil was the
in formation with Sqn. Ldr. Hewson on 4-5 September. first R.C.A.F. pilot to shoot down
and Flying Officer R.C. Hawtrey." an enemy aircraft during that
The R.C.A.F. flight made its THE REACTION conflict.
way from Winnipeg back to Camp Hawtrey also served overseas.
Borden via several U.S. cities, At Cleveland the Siskins created When war broke out he was study-
proceeded to Kingston and then favourable impressions through ing aeronautical engineering at
to Montreal on 14 August to open their personal appearance as well Imperial Defence College, London.
the Eastern and Maritime part of as their flying ability. A Cleveland He completed his course in 1940
the tour. newspaperman described Sqn. Ldr. and returned to Canada to assist
In reporting the performance in Hewson as "a mild looking man in setting up the British Common-
Montreal, one newspaper said: with a black moustache, a ruddy wealth Air Training Plan. In 1944
"Acclaimed by nearly 100,000 face and a calm manner." Of Flt. he was posted overseas again and
Montrealers and visitors as the Lt. Riddell he wrote, "Never saw was the last member of the Siskins
finest exhibition of flying ever a squarer jaw. Comes out of a to retire from the service.
witnessed in Canada." From loop two feet from the ground." Unfortunately, Sqn. Ldr. Hewson
Montreal the Pageant flew to Flying Officer E. McNab: "Ruddy did not live to see the appraisals
Quebec City for another show and face, clear eye, about five feet, six of his flying partners fulfilled. He
then to the Maritimes. inches tall, soft spoken, one of was killed at Trenton on 27 July
Near Milville, N.B., Flying Canada's aces." Flying Officer 1932 while participating in a for-
Officer Hawtrey experienced en- Hawtrey: 'Slim, young, clear-eyed, mation practice with the Siskins.
gine failure, the only serious diff- one of the stars, though he can't
As a team the original Siskins
culty met by the Siskins on the be much over 20." Flying Officer
disbanded after their 1931 tour
tour. They were flying over a F.M. Gobeil: "Another slim kid."
and only Flying Officer Hawtrey
rocky, heavily-wooded, lake- From Cleveland the Siskins re-
returned to fly with the Siskin
infested district and Hawtrey could turned to Toronto for a show at
flight again for a short time. Flying
see only one small opening. The the Canadian National Exhibition
exhibitions were given by other
young pilot landed down wind, up on 7-8 September. They flew again
Siskin teams in later years, but
hill in the opening and crashed on September 12 with the Pageant
never on the same scale as the
through a wooden fence, coming to in the last show of the tour at
a stop in a nearby ditch. It was London. During this show the
1931 tour which brought aviation
into the hearts of hundreds of
necessary to dismantle the aircraft members of the Pageant were
thousands of Canadians.
and ship it out for repair. Mean- watched and complimented by
while, Hawtrey rejoined the tour the Minister of National Defence. Retired as Wing Commander, April 1956.
in another Siskin. On 13 September the Siskins re-
The Pageant spent the last part turned to Montreal. During the O
of August in the Maritimes at tour they had flown over 11,000
Saint John, Moncton, Sydney, miles and staged formation aero- Ulcers are often caused from
batic shows at 26 airfields in addition mountain climbing over mole hills.
*Retired as Group Captain, July 1958. to stealing the sky in the National (Avro Newsmaga:ire.)

6
THE ROUNDEL
 Siskin Flight Personnel

Flying Officer E.A. NcNab, Flt. Lt. J.

A. Boret, Sqn. Ldr. R. W. Hewson, Flt.
Lt. W.I. Riddell, Flying Officers F.M.
Gobeil, R.C. Hawtrey.

L.A.C. S. Partridge, Sgt. F. Riggs.

L.A.C. A. Wilcox, Flt. Sgt. G. Elliott,
Sgt. R. Laidlaw.

W.O.2 F. Hems, L.A.C. j. Gould, Cpl.

G. Ramshaw, Cpl. A. Cantlay, Sgt.
V.S. Roberts.

'
'J:
f. ~ •
1 p!
dill »a?'
SEPTEA1BER 1958 7
 Each year the R.C.A.F. receives many requests
to participate in air shows and to conduct low level
flying displays. The reasons behind these requests,
and the natural desire of the general public to see
The Problem
R.C.A.F. personnel and aircraft perform at close
quarters, are appreciated and such requests are
always given full consideration.
However, the employment of high speed, high
performance aircraft in flying demonstrations at low
altitude can, in many cases, present hazards which
of the
make the request unacceptable. A problem then
arises in reaching a common understanding and

·Fly-Over
appreciation of the difficulties involved by all of the
parties concerned.
That this is a problem which is shared by other
countries and their air forces is clearly illustrated
in the following article.
AIR VICE MARSHAL W.R. MacBRIEN, O.8.E., C.D.,
BY THE HON. HUBERT H. HUMPHREY
Air Officer Commanding,
Air Defence Command. United States Senator from Minnesota

Reprinted from FLYING Magazine, May 1958 cannot explain to an entire

populace, with any hope of con-
viction, that even the greatest of
() the morning of Memorial Day last year, thousands of our precautions may prove unavailing
Minneapolis citizens watched from Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery if his jets are at an altitude or in
as four jets in perfect formation roared overhead in a salute to our war alignment which tolerates no hope
dead. The crowd thrilled to the skill of the pilots and the beauty of the of escape from disaster, should
sleek planes flashing by.
some mechanical failure or human
Then, seconds later-disaster, as the formation began a roll to the
error ensue. Numerous pilots placed
left. A valiant pilot died, nine civilians were injured, four homes set
in such untoward situations have
aflame and two of the jet planes were destroyed. An enemy bomb might
sacrificed themselves in attempting
not have wrought so much havoc, unless it were atomic.
to spare people on the ground, but
a proud airman can not cite his
The long-distance phone lines gregated and at an altitude which own danger as an excuse for not
from Minneapolis to my office were provides a close-up demonstration flying in celebrations or over con-
busy the rest of that day and on of the performance of air crews gested areas at low level. So a
subsequent days. I took what and planes. Such requests are commander well may be in a
action was possible-called upon perfectly understandable and al- dilemma when a request for a
the Defence Department to forbid most always motivated by the "fly-by" hits his desk-especially
low level flights over congested highest patriotic and civic spirit. since he usually is in complete
areas; did my best to comfort But I do not believe they would sympathy with the people and the
and aid my constituents in their be made so frequently, if the motives behind the request.
fear and distress and resolved to makers understood all that might
seek, as one individual might, be involved.
some effective answer to prevention CAN'T BE A VOIDED
In discussing the whole subject
of repetition of such tragedies. with pilots, I find the following As far as the air crews who do
to be the case. If the military the flying are concerned-they
POTENTIAL DANGER unit commander refuses outright undertake any mission upon which
to order a formation to participate they are ordered; and maneuver
The first step is to explain to in a local civic or national patriotic
as instructed. Theirs not to reason
all well meaning and patriotic celebration, he is on the spot from
why. Theirs only to put on a
organizations and individuals that a public relations standpoint. This
demonstration which most
requests to the military for "fly- is a very real problem for him and
adequately illustrates the capability
by's" at public events well may his outfit, since he is charged with
of the planes and themselves.
set the stage for trouble. Inevitably responsibility for making his per-
From a public viewpoint, it is
the request calls for flight over sonnel a welcome and co-operating
certainly praiseworthy to seek
some spot where people are con- element of the community. He
knowledge and understanding of
8
THE ROUNDEL
 involved in requests for military
air demonstration, either local or
national.
Second, let the military take
utmost precautions to confine
demonstrations to areas where
traffic both aloft and on the surface
can be assuredly controlled.
These two general principles
involve many details as to accept-
able altitudes, precision flight ex-
perience of participants, location
of watching audiences in relation to
the flight track of demonstrating
aircraft, and kindred considera-
tions. My studies of the subject
lead me to believe that, if it is given
the expert attention it deserves in
the Defence Department and the
understanding it requires from a
public standpoint, the possibility
of tragedy can be eliminated and
the educational value preserved
and enhanced.
Every accident suffered leaves
a trail of personal anguish, above
and beyond the actual loss of life
itself, and, in the last analysis, is
a loss to all the people and to the
land itself.

WEIGHING THE COST

As is natural, we who hold

political position are frequently
asked to use our good offices in
support of requests for aerial
demonstrations. Usually we, like
Whistling jets cut the four-pointed pattern of the N.A.T.O. Star into the
the unit commander, are in hearty
skies over R.C.A.F. Station Winnipeg during the ceremony marking the end sympathy with the motives behind
of N.A.T.O. Aircrew Training Plan. the requests; and certainly we
want to serve our constituents to
the best of our ability. After all,
the nature and significance of far from their boundaries with the they elect us and won't continue
Airpower. Nor is this easy of idea of avoiding noise or overhead to do so if we do not serve them.
achievement. Demonstrations traffic-and immediately expanded But I doubt that they would want
have played a great part in the toward the airport as if drawn by us to serve blindly or aid in laying
educational process. I think it some irresistible magnet. Whether the groundwork of tragedy in our
would be merely an easy but in individual living or in national own home communities. So perhaps
certainly an unconscionable way affairs, we can run only so far we too, like the defence officials
out to ban all demonstrations. from our problems and then we and the organizations which request
Not only our national security but must turn and face them. In the aerial demonstrations, must con-
our trade and commerce is largely matter of aerial demonstrations, sider more carefully all consequences
committed to the air age. It is I suggest we turn and face the before we place the weight of our
not a thing to be avoided. We problem now, before our hands are offices behind such projects.
can't move away from the air age. forced by further tragedies. And thus, in the co-operation
We have to learn to control it and and thoughtfulness of all hands,
live with its problems as well as MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING we shall find the right answer to
utilize its advantages. I have noted First, let us do all in our power this problem of the when, where
example after example where com- to expand public understanding and how of the aerial demon-
munities originally located airports of the proportions of the problems stration.

SEPTEMBER 1758 9
Recalling Pilot Officer Prune
BY FLYING OFFICER L. R. N. ASHLEY

(One of the most (in)famous wartime R.A.F. pilots, at least

to operational aircrew, was an entirely fictitious type who possibly
did more to promote flying safety during his hectic four year
career than any other single individual. His deeds of omission
and commission were eagerly followed by those of us engaged
in the same occupation because, almost without exception,
everyone could recall having escaped a similar harrowing ex-
perience at one time or another. The difference was that this
crazy character unabashedly put his exploits in print every
month--in such a refreshingly humorous manner that the rest
of us absorbed the serious lessons they taught while doubled
over with laughter.-Editor.) P.CIT.w

Tars is the story of Pilot Officer "black" to the status of fine arts.
Percy Prune, R.A.F. (No. 89008), Born (in Prune Parva, Sussex) «8
the Clueless Clot who let good
advice and pilots' notes go "in one
on 1 April 1922, Pilot Officer Prune
was commissioned on 1 April 1941, 6
ear and out the other like water coincident with the first issue of
off a duck's back", the young man Tee Emm, a wartime R.A.F.
who (virtually unaided) raised the training magazine whose pages he
"boob", the "prang" and the enlivened for several years. Many P.O. Prune says he's going to
Roundel readers who served "in get into this shooting war ..
or near" the R.A.F. during the
Late Unpleasantness will recall

c
.4,

r i
i
,A
~_:_::;;-~e:,---/'i,J .
his exploits. The rest of you should meaning any foolish mistake, became
meet him. Rum chap, actually, a common R.A.F. word, as did
but fearfully fun.

PERMANENT P.O.
the verb to dedigitate" (to get
the finger out). Prune's portrait,
as drawn by W. Hooper, was
' ~
instantly recognized from John
Prune's "line" astounded even O' Groats to Land's End.
, ( those who had served a long time Prune's cavalier attitude to-
in the Air Force-since (as he ward flying made him the perfect
a o would say) the Air Ministry was Horrible Example for the edifi-
~ a tent, Pontius was a pilot, and cation of aircrew. His dictum
the British were painted blue, not "Landing with the undercart up
wearing it. He himself sometimes is just a mistake" was quoted in
claimed long service-'When I self-defence by many a student
was first in we didn't fly the pilot. Low flying was one of his
Channel. At that time Britain was specialties, as witness these gems
@), joined by a land bridge to the culled from his testimony before
continent but actually his was various Boards of Inquiry:
a wartime commission. By care-
fully spaced courts martial, which I prefer the Rotol propeller to the
regularly deprived him of seniority, D.H.-the blades are three inches
shorter and so I can fly lower.
he managed to serve through the
entire war as a pilot officer. I never pull the stick back when flying
He became a legend. The Air- low, in case my tail wheel hits the
ground.
crew Refresher School at Brighton
a limbo for unfortunates who had I was flying along the main road in a
"bent" aircraft, was nicknamed Maggie against a strong head wind-
'I think the compass must have been out, sir.' when an Austin 7 hooted and overtook
"Prune's Purgatory". "Prunery", me.

10
THE ROUNDEL
No wonder that Flying Officer
Fixe, his harried navigator, used 1942 T€€ €MA
to complain that Prune flew so
close to the deck over the Channel STAFF WORK
that he had to stand up to see
over the waves and that the pitot
tubes, taking in spray instead of
air, were registering fathoms per
second instead of indicating air
speed.

NEVER DAUNTED
But Prune bumbled blithely on,
"flapless while others flap", emerg-
ing unscathed from an horrendous
series of catastrophes, his wake STAFF work!" exclaims Pilot future organisation and maintenance,
littered with crashed 'planes. His Officer Prune, laughing very the co-ordination of the production of
war record was described as "dis- heartily. " Staff work ! " he repeats, air crews with the production of aero-
tinguished or, rather, notable". putting a most offensive accent on the planes. It is, in short, Big Stuff.
His score of "destroyed or damaged" second word. He then murmurs some- Low-level Staff work is concerned with
thing jovial about passengers in the such things as ensuring that letters are
ranged all the way from Maggies boat " and stops reading this article in always sent to the people responsible for,
to IManchesters, from Ansons favour of the day's "Jane." And who and competent to deal with, the subject-
to Spitfires. However "bent" shall say he is wrong? Not us--we're matter, and not to someone who can
the aircraft, Prune always emerged ·n: 'ans Dr-± etj]] ·A+ ·fully al ggrs - %-
bloody but unbowed. Perhaps the
lucky horseshoe which he con- of "bumpf". On his desk were M. H. D. 0. I. D.
stantly carried in his pocket- nine baskets: IN (full), OUT
despite its adverse effect on his (empty) and BACK AGAIN, When others committed
compass-was the explanation. ACTION, FOR ATTENTION, "pruneries", Pilot Officer Prune
Prune was equal to any task. He FORGIVE, FORGET, AVOID selflessly shared his glory with
could fly anything, nearly. Even and SALVAGE. It's a thought. them. The Most Highly Deroga-
a temporary grounding in an Admin His chairborne career was short tory Order of the Irremovable
job didn't bother him a bit. He and he returned to an operational Digit was founded. Prune immedi-
rapidly reorganized the staff to squadron: "no need to remember ately, deservedly, became its dis-
such an extent that the A.O.C. things there, the way you had to tinguished Patron. Every month
agreed that Prune might well be do at H.Q, on courses, etc." Some one or more awards of this Order
returned to flying duties. Adju- inkling of his performance may be were announced. Some of the
tants may care to hear of the way gleaned from these comments, citations are very interesting:
he handled the inevitable mountains overheard at the bar of the mess:
My flying is so good the D.F. stations
get fixes on me to find out where they
are.
It's not really flying blind: the instru-
ments aren't in Braille.
·y,; '»
. I'
My landings are so good that I have to
call up Control by TR9 to find out if
I'm on the deck.
I bounced so high when I first touched g ::"

z•
down that I had to slip off height to ··",
3
get in.

<M
if
And to other pilots, who pointed

©
out that Prune's actions went
against all the serious admonitions
of Tee Emm and other training
journals, our doughty hero would
reply, witheringly:
,o6&:
w-+0' '
I've spent more time rolling off the
top of loops than you have flying . ..,,
iii ,\a. ' '·
P.O, Prune doesn't law anything about organisation straight and level; so pipe down!

SEPTEIMBER 1958 1
 To Flying Instructor-for Showing His
Pupil What to Avoid: Joints and with citations for Marked
After Beacon Flying at Night, the Devotion to Asininity, Thinking
Instructor landed unwittingly at the One Cockpit Button as Good _as
wrong aerodrome. He then got out Another, Touching Faith in Ability
and sent the pupil solo.
The pupil then landed at base.
to Estimate Altitude by Eye,
Overwhelming Tenacity of Pur-
To Pilot Officer-for the Best and pose in the Face of Logic, and
Quickest Reply to an Enquiring In- other such actions-became famous
structor:
When asked by his Instructor what throughout the Air Force. The
action he would take if, when approaching man who burned his 'plane on
to land he heard the undercarriage crashlanding in France, only to
warning horn, he replied: "I should discover that his confused navi-
open the throttles slightly to stop the
horn blowing and upon landing would gation had in reality brought him
remove the fuse." to a ploughed field about a couple
of miles from the nearest (English)
To Group Captain-, commanding
Station-, for Supremely Quick Recog- pub, won it. So did the lad who
nition: couldn't understand how he hit
A Navigator on his station was taking the control tower (40 feet high)
shots with his sextant when the Station when his altimeter was definitely
Commander motored past. Seeing the
Navigator, he at once stopped his car, registering 100 feet.
reversed, and bawled out: "Who gave Yes, Pilot Officer Prune had
you permission to use a camera?" some competitors, but no one ever
To Flight Sergeant Instructor-for P.O. Prune's definition of a good landing equalled his record. People used
Exceptionally Quick Witted Resource- is one you can walk away from. to· stare in awe, they say, as the
fulness: scruffy figure with the top button
On telling a pupil to go and practise of his tunic missing (he had it shot
Instrument Flying he was informed by still remarkably silent till on some
the pupil that his aircraft had no hood. pretext he managed to get a glimpse of off in a dogfight, he said), wandered
To which the Flight Sergeant replied: D.R.O.'s. He then became quite fluent across the tarmac at R.A.F. Station
"Well then, close your eyes or some- and conversational-having at last New Reary (Group Captain Max
thing!" found out at what Station he had put
down. Boost, commanding), his faithful
To Group Captain, for Navigation wire-haired terrier Binder scamper-
Repeat Navigation: When Tee Emm published that ing at his heels, forever attentive,
On arrival at a Station, flying his own last award five different group
Tiger Moth, he was very guarded in
presumably, to his master's vice.
his remarks to the Duty Officer and captains wrote in to enquire: "How They say his ghost walks yet.
others, merely asking he way to the in hell did you find out about me ? Have you encountered a Pilot
Mess. On arrival at the Mess he was The award-sometimes with extra Officer Prune in the R.C.A.F.?

World's First Vertical Take-Off Airliner

A view of Britain's Fairey
Rotodyne the world's first
vertical take-off and landing air-
liner-after it had risen smoothly
from a 120-foot diameter concrete
"runway" for its first public demon-
stration flight at White Waltham,
Berkshire.
The Rotodyne is a combination
of helicopter and fixed wing air-
craft and represents a three-year
lead in research into new types of
short-range aircraft. During ascent.
jet propulsion is used at the tips
of the rotor blades. Having gained
height, it then flies forward like
a fixed wing aircraft as the power
is transferred from the tip-jets to
the propellers of the two Napier
Eland engines.

12 THE ROUNDEL
 R.M.C. Wind Tunnel Aids Embryonic Engineers
A subsonic wind tunnel, designed by Squadron Powered by a Chrysler six-cylinder engine, the
Leader C.J. Evans (inset) and constructed under five-foot wide, 16-blade, axial-flow type fan rotates
his direction by the staff of the Mechanical Engi- at up to 1750 r.p.m. Half-inch thick plexiglass
neering Department at the Royal Military College, windows in each wall of the 30 x 30 inch plywood
is used for aero-dynamic experiments by engineering working section permit visual observation of test
students at R.M.C. Speeds approaching 200 m.p.h. models. Turning vanes at each corner deflect the
have been simulated, making it possible for cadets airflow through 90 degrees, with a minimum of
to study basic flow relations and obtain empirical secondary flow being introduced through pressure
data on various test models. build-up.

Summer Camp Sunshine

e
J,'fea«
125-4 +-·i»
No doubt one good reason why groundcrew and
aircrew alike thoroughly enjoyed 19 Wing (Aux)
-. ls
,.

quite so considerate as Ora. She, by the way, is

a fighter control operator with 2455 A.C. and W.
'
'

Summer Camp is explained by the above photos, Sqn., Victoria, B.C., who believes in meeting the
both of which feature Corporal Ora H. Collard. pilots she talks to during the year's exercises as she
L.A.C. D.A. Wilman (left), who plans to enter watches the radar scope. One of them, Flying
the regular force this fall, probably won't find all Officer D.H. Kirk, of the City of Vancouver Sqn.,
the corporals he encounters during his training obviously thinks this is a fine idea.

SEPTEMBER 1958 13
 %h
Hot Without Looking
BY FYG
OFFicsR 6,
3 TURNE,

ILLUSTRATIONS BY L.A.C. P. J. LAROUCHE

I pull back on the control column
and with a gentle surge we re
airborne.
['s o.c. of flying has just come up with the glad tidings that I am to No! We're not! I can hear the
take a course in instrument flying. The purpose of this course is to wheels again. I try pulling back
teach me to fly without looking where I am going. a little harder and this time we're
I recall with vivid clarity the last time I took an instrument ride really off in a good sporting climb,
and I clutch unhappily at my stomach. On the occasion of my last ride, straight up.
the only means I- had of knowing where I was going was by referring to There is no noise from the front
a bank of dials, needles, lost horizons,- pins, balls and an assortment of seat. My instructor hasn't said
gadgets telling me everything but the pressure in the tires and the anything. Why doesn't my instruc-
latest prices on Wall Street. The aeroplane we used for this purpose was tor say something ? I am consumed
a Harvard, or 'Yellow Peril" as it is known throughout the profession. with panic. Maybe he got out to
look at something on the runway
My instructor climbs into the and I've gone without him. I give
front office while I insert myself the stick an enquiring wiggle;
in the rear cockpit and strap there is an answering wiggle from
myself in. Immediately, the seat the front seat. Thank God! He's
collapses and I am left suspended there!
by a strap around my neck. Just My first exercise is to climb the
when I am facing death by stran- plane two thousand feet and fly
gulation, the seat flies up again a perfect circle while I'm doing it.
and strikes, me a painful blow on
I start the operation by pushing
the base of my spine. I grunt with
the stick over to one side and
pain, make sure the seat has come
to rest, and remount. pulling back a little so that we'll
He then tells me I must pull the climb. I am busy watching the
hood over me. This is a little dials when suddenly, without warn-
canvas tent that goes right over the ing, the engine stops.
cockpit and blots out the view from "I've cut the engine, says my
the windows, so that I can't look instructor happily from the front
out and cheat. Immediately, the seat. "What will you do?" I
temperature starts to rise and refrain from telling him that I've
before we have even started the already done it, and by the time I
engine, I am sitting in a per- have the engine going again and
sonalized Turkish Bath. return to the instruments, I find I
am going straight down and in-
WE GET AIRBORNE
stead of drawing a circle in the sky,
I have described a figure like the
There is a violent explosion and floor plan of a surgical truss.
my little pup tent fills with soot; Off in a good sporting climb...
the instructor has started the AEROBATIC AMENS
engine. He takes its temperature, It seems a rakish sort of thing to do,
burps it and taxies to the end of the My instructor takes control for a
but anyway I open the throttle, while and demonstrates a few
runway. I am to do an ITO-or release the brakes and we're off on
instrument take off, launching my- simple manoeuvers, telling me all
a headlong dash down the runway. the while that it is a very nice
self and the machine in the air I can hear the wheels thundering
without looking where I'm going. aeroplane and quite simple to fly.
along beneath me faster and faster. He invites me to hold the control
14
THE ROUNDEL
 Adam's Apple and just when I'm
experiencing the nausea associated
with early pregnancy my instructor
says "You have control".
It's a lie, I haven't! I wrestle
with the control column trying to
bring the aircraft to level flight
once more. We are diving straight
down and I contort my face so that
when they pick me out of the
wreckage I'll be wearing a brave
smile and they'll blame it all on the
instructor. The instructor snatches
control and heaves back on the
control column so that it crashes
into my stomach and almost de-
Maybe I've gone without my instructor! flowers me.
"You're chasing your altimeter",
he says. He seems to think I'm
column lightly and "follow him the little flap standing up ? Oh having a merry old time back here.
through". The result is like a Lord! It's not standing up at all, Next thing you know he'll accuse
child trying to accompany Caruso I'm upside down and the flap is me of playing ring around the roses
on a Jew's harp. He may think it's hanging down. Hastily I right the with the compass.
a nice little aeroplane, but I don't. aircraft and the little flap bangs "Cross check your instruments",
On the contrary, I think it's a very shut. he says huffily. "Needle ball air-
nasty little aeroplane with a mind We try some unusual positions. speed needle altimeter ballcompass
of its own, and a nasty little mind My instructor takes control and speedmeter pitchbank ballmeter",
at that. When I'm trying to make flings the aeroplane about, while and so on, faster and faster until I
it go straight and level, by the from my instruments I have to am writhing in my seat and my
look of the instruments it is trying observe the aircraft's attitude and eyeballs are rolling around in their
to pick its nose with a wing, or return it to straight and level sockets like berserk marbles.
tiring of that, arching its back and flight. We loop and roll and I
trying to go back the way we have bounce about in my cockpit like an NO TRICK AT ALL
just come. ice cube in a cocktail shaker. My We do a little cross-country navi-
Continuing with a few simple liver changes places with my gation, during which I have to keep
exercises, I think I am doing quite track of where we are and report
well when a strange noise assails We try some unusual positions ... my position to a series of ground
my ears. It sounds like someone controllers. This is called giving a
singing. "Needle Ball Airspeed, PX or position report. All they
Needle Ball Airspeed, Needle Ball
Airspeed". It is my instructor. I
think he's saying his prayers.
Perhaps I should join in every now
",
v
want to know is my passport
number, the time in Winnipeg, the
pilot's maiden name and who killed
Cock Robin. At the end of the
and then with a reverent ''Amen', exercise, the straight lines I should
have flown turn out to look like a
PANEL WORK jangled fishing line. All the time
my instructor has been writing
Now we're going to do a little comments about me on a knee pad.
'limited panel work'. This means I TII» o
By the time we land, his comments
have to drop a small canvas flap have developed into something
over the artificial horizon and use the like the manuscript of "Gone With
other instruments. I hide the artifi- The Wind".
cial horizon from view and concen- When we are safely on the
trate on flying straight and level. ground, in the flight room, my
I think I am doing famously, when instructor lets me know that there
suddenly and quite unaccountably, isn't really much hope for me. He
the little flap I dropped over the says I should only fly in good
artificial horizon starts to rise until weather and the forecast predicts
it is standing straight up in the air. the doom of the meteorological
I grab it and push it down. It flies I profession because there ain't going
up again. Consternation. Why is to be no more weather.

SEPTEMBER 1958 15
 (c) Captained a Liberator which
sank two U-boats in one
afternoon f ten
(a) Engineered the escape o1
R.C.A.F. pilots from occupied
France to Britain

(This month's questionnaire is based on R.C.A.F. personalities, 10. Retired in July 1958, the last
past and present. While some of the incidents may not be too member of the famous R.C.A.F.
well-known to the majority of today's serving members and a Siskin Aerobatic Team of
few may never find their way into the pages of our official history 1931 to serve with theR.C.A.F.
we feel they warrant a lasting place in the repertory of every was:
nostalgic story-teller who ever held up a bar on mess dinner (a) Group Capt. R.C. Hawtrey
night. Exhaustive research has proven the answers on page 32 (b) Sqn Ldr. R.W. Hewson
(c) Wing Cdr. F.M. Gobeil
to be indubitable.- Editor.) (d) Group Capt. E.A. McNab

11. For aiding air navigation in

1. German's leading air ace of (c) Destroyed 22 German aircraft
in two hours the Arctic and for perfecting
of World War 1, Baron the twilight computer the
(d) Destroyed 22 "buzz-bombs"
Manfred Von Richthofen, was in two months McKee "Trans-Canada"
shot down by a Canadian Trophy for 1952 was awarded
fighter pilot. His name was:
6. Group Captain J.D. Syme is to:
(a) Major W.A. Bishop
(b) Major R. Callishaw the only R.C.A.F. officer who: (a) Sqn. Ldr. K.R. Greenaway
(c) Major W.G. Barker (a) Was a protege of the great (b) Sqn Ldr. R.T. Heaslip
(d) Capt. A.R. Brown magician Houdini (c) Wing Cdr. J.G. Wright
(b) Is known to have recited the (a) Flying Officer R.B. Best
2. Flight Lieutenant E.A. Glover whole Air Force Act without
was the first: pausing for breath 12. Flt. Lt. S. Coleman, and
(a)R.C.A.F. pilot to win the (c) Won first prize in the Irish L.A.C. ]. Fortey, after being
D.F.C. in time of peace Sweepstakes forced down in the N.W.T.
(b) N.C.O. to be commissioned ( d) Retired as C.O. of the station
on which he began his career in 1936 sustained themselves
in the R.C.A.F. as an A.C.2 for ten days on:
(c) Canadian to fly a jet aircraft
(d) R.C.A.F. pilot to break the (a) Emergency rations
the sound barrier 7. The sobriquet of "The Saviour (b) Trout fishing
of Ceylon" was given to Sqn. (c) Berries and the broth of a
3. Formerly known as the repeatedly boiled squirrel
"Golden Roy", the name of
Ldr. L.J. Birchall for having: (d) Arctic ice-worms
this well known R.C.A.F. (a) Evacuated the Governor
athlete is: General by air ten minutes 13. In 1957 a Canadian was
before the Island's occupation named to the All-American
(a) FIt. Lt. S.E. Mayer by the Japanese
(b) FIt. Lt. J.R. Boucher (b) Sunk a Japanese cruiser in Skeet Shooting Team for the
(c) Sqn. Ldr. A.C. Golab the Bay of Bengal first time. His name is:
(d) FIt. Lt. F. Dunster (c) Reported by radio the approach
of a Japanese naval force (a) Sqn Ldr. G.C. Whitaker
4. Captain R. Leckie (later Air (d) Flown medical supplies to the
(b) Wing Cdr. H. Bryant
Islandduringacholeraepidemic (c) Sqn Ldr. B.C. Hartman
Marshal and C.A.S. of the (d) Sqn. Ldr. R.D. Schultz
R.C.A.F.):
(a) Was the first pilot to land 8. Celebrated for having (in a 14. First R.C.A.F. winner of the
an aircraft on the deck of a lighter moment) planted cut D.F.C. during the Second
battleship
(b) Shared in the destruction of flowers in front of his station's World War was:
two Zeppelins in the Great administrative building before (a) Pilot Officer R.W. McNair
War an A.O.C.'s inspection was: (b) FIt. Lt. G.R. McGregor
( c) Was the first Canadian to be (c) Flying Officer B.D. Russel
decorated in the Royal Flying (a) Air Marshal H. Edwards
(b) Air Marshal W.A. Curtis (d) Sqn. Ldr. E.A. McNab
Corps
(d) Was chairman of Canada's (c) Air Vice-Marshal C.M.
Air Board in 1919 McEwen 15. Commanded by Wing Cdr.
(d) Group Captain F.J. Mawdesley C.H. Mussells, No. 426 Sqn.
5. During the Second World completed the move from
War Flying Officer K.O. 9. Flt. Lt. R.J. Audet accom- Dorval to Tacoma, Wash., in
Moore set a major record plished this outstanding feat 1950 and had the first North
in that he: in 1944: Star airborne to Japan within:
(a) Sank two Japanese destroyers (a) Shot down the first enemy (a) Four days
in 22 days jet-propelled aircraft (b) Two weeks
(b) Sank two German submarines (b) Destroyed five enemy fighters (c) 48 hours
in 22 minutes in one combat (d) One month

16
THE A©OUNDi:!
 16. While training for an attempt
on the world's inverted flying
Wing Cdr. D.R. Walker and (b) Ferrying para-troops during
Sqn. Ldr. K.W. Brown were the Normandy landings in
record in 1931, Flt. Lt. E.G. members of the: 1944
Fullerton: (c) Participating as co-pilot in
(a) Pathfinders
(a) Became the first member of (b) 1948R.C.A.F. Olympic hockey the first glider crossing of
the R.C.A.F. to take a course champions the Atlantic in 1943
in aviation medicine (c) Dam-busters (d) Testing the N.R.C.'s tail-less
(b) Discharged his duties as flight (d) "Kriegies Club glider in 1945
commander while strapped
to an inverted seat suspended 18. First Canadian airman to
in a hangar at Camp Borden win the V.C. was: 20. Appointed Deputy Chief of
(c) Stood on his head during a (a) Capt. W.A. Bishop Staff Operations at S.H.A.P .E.
flight from Camp Borden to (b) Major W.G. Barker on 15 June 1958 was:
Toronto (c) FIt. Lt. D.E. Hornell (a) Air Vice-Marshal M.M.
(a) Had the pilot's seat in an (d) Sqn. Ldr. I.W. Bazalgette Hendrick
Avro 504 installed upside
down 19. Sqn. Ldr. F.M. Gobeil was (b) Air Marshal C.R. Siemon
awarded the A.F.C. for: (c) Air Vice-Marshal W. E.
(a) Establishing the first glider Kennedy
17. NowservingwiththeR.C.A.F.,
school in the R.C.A.F. in (d) Acting Air Marshal C.R.
Wing Cdr. J.C. McCarthy, 1942 Dunlap

C.N.E. Tri-Service Precision Drill T earn

Opening the grandstand performances each evening at the Canadian National Exhibition this
year was a tri-service precision drill team, pictured below at R.C.A.F. Station Centralia. The 132-
man contingent trained at the southwestern Ontario airbase, then moved to Toronto for final
rehearsals under the command of Squadron Leader F. S. Steele, D.F.C.

17

fI
r
I.A&-& a
 l
#
, ¢
I

'

Flt. Lt. C.W. Fox, D.F.C. and Bar. Sqn. Ldr. R.I.A. Srnith, D.F.C. and Flt. Lt. D. Laubman, D.F.C. and Bar.
Bar.

PORTRAITS BY FLT. LT. R. S, HYNDMAN

NO. 412 SQUADRON BY FL YING OFFICER L. R. N. ASHLEY

Air Historical Section

PART TWO

['» Falcon Squadron began the eventful year of 1944 unspectacularly 291 sorties; the casualties were
with a week of air-firing practice at Hutton Cranswick. They then re- nil. Air supremacy had been
turned to the routine attacks on 'Noball" targets and bomber escort realized. Engine trouble, not the
assignments. The future was to hold even more interesting work for Luftwaffe, accounted for Flying
them, however, than 1943's 3200 hours of operations. Officer A.B. Ketterson's death on
At the end of January 412 shifted from 126 Airfield to R.A.F. Biggin 4 March. It was not until 23
Hill's main mess and taxied their aircraft over to the nearby dispersal March, despite the continued fast
area previously used by 411, the "Grizzly Bear" squadron. They thereby pace of operations, that Jerry
inherited more creature comforts, including Flt. Lt. R.S. Hyndman's was sighted again. Flying Officer
murals in 411's elaborately decorated dispersal hut. Laubman and Flt. Lt. Needham
On 2 February the Canadian shared a Ju. 88 on that occasion.
High Commissioner, the Hon. Pas de Calais sector, sweeps of
Vincent Massey, visited the squad- Ostend-Bethune-Abbeville, fighter BALE-OUTS
ron during his inspection of the umbrellas for Mitchells and During Ramrod 661 (16 March)
wing. He was accompanied by Bostons pounding Noball instal- against Abbeville, Flying Officer
Air Vice Marshal N.R. Anderson lations at Tocqueville and south T.M. Saunderson experienced engine
(second in command of the R.C.A.F. of Dieppe, support of heavy attacks trouble over the Channel and
overseas) and Group Capt. G.R. in the Eindhoven area, and rendez- glided in toward the French coast,
MacBrien, C.O. of 17 Wing. Mr. vous near Brussels with Forts baling out at 2500 feet about a
Massey showed a special interest returning from Germany: February mile from the Somme Estuary.
in 412 as his son, Flt. Lt. Hart was a busy month. In all these He spent an hour and a half in
Massey, had served for some time operations the squadron experienced the drink, with Flt. Lt. Laubman
in the unit as intelligence officer. only light flak and no fighter hovering over to provide pro-
Bomber escort duties in the opposition. The month's tally was tection, before the Air /Sea Rescue

18
THE ROUNDEL
types managed to land a Walrus was airborne for the first of the
and pick Saunderson up. Lt. O.M. Linton's sortie on 24 July
four beach patrols they flew that
The 'softening-up" of France day. The Luftwaffe wasn't home.,
when he knocked three enemy
continued, with 412 dive-bombing aircraft out of the air on a single
It wasn t until D plus one that operation east of Lisieux.
rail and road communications and Jerry appeared in the air. The
flying-bomb sites. The operations wing on one of their four patrols
in May brought the Falcons some CASUALTIES
encountered a dozen Ju. 88s and
casualties. On the 10th of the knocked eight out of the sky The squadron recorded four
month, at 6000 feet over Rheims, scored a 'probable', and damaged casualties in these two months:
two FW. 190s were attacked by two. Flying Officer Charron de- W.O. II L.W. Love was killed
Flt. Lts. E.C. Likeness and J.A. stroyed one Ju. 88. The credit for over Bavent on patrol (17 June),
Crimmins. Both the Falcons were the two damaged went to Flt. W.O. II A.E. Seller was forced
shot down, a rare occurrence in Lt. H.L. Phillips and Flying down near Caen and became a
this period of the war. Likeness, Officer J.P. Laureys, both of 412. P.O.W. (28 June), Flying Officer
hit by enemy fire, was forced to The three beachhead patrols on H.W. Bowker was killed in action
bale out three miles inland from the next day were uneventful and southeast of Caen (2 July), and
Treport. He evaded capture and bad weather grounded all R.C.A.F. Flt. Lt. Needham had to bale out
was soon back with his squadron. aircraft on the 9th. near Falaise (7 July). Needham,
Crimmins crashed and was buried the B-flight commander, turned
by the commune of Beauvais in up safe in the U.K. a month later.
the department of Oise. Next day, INSIDE EUROPE On 2 August the O.C., Sqn.
in a dive-bombing show on a Ldr. J. Sheppard, crashlanded be-
Noball site, Flying Officers J.S. On the 11th the major part of hind enemy lines a few kilometres
Hamilton and R.W. Thatcher col- the wing's ground personnel left northwest of Les Chapelles. The
lided in mid-air over the target. Tangmere for the concentration aircraft was badly damaged on
Hamilton, who had fought through area en route to the Continent. landing and Sheppard was wounded
the dark days at Malta, found that The vehicles of that echelon formed in both legs. He fell into the hands
his luck held once more; he baled a convoy which stretched for of a German patrol and was taken
out and was picked up almost approximately four and a half to a hospital at Alencon from
immediately by Air /Sea Rescue. miles along the dusty roads. All which he escaped (in company
Thatcher was never heard of again. 412 personnel, and the 25 servicing with a Royal Marine) on 6 August.
personnel attached to them, went He returned to the Allied lines a
D-DAY later by air on the 18th, when they week later after a harrowing series
were reunited with the rest of 126 of exploits. Meanwhile, however,
Expectation sat in the air as the Wing at Beny-sur-Mer. Flt. Lt. D.H. Dover (a 412 flight
bright days of June dawned. On They were operating at last commander) was made acting
the fourth came the order to paint from inside Hitler's "Fortress squadron leader and took over
distinguishing stripes on all air- Europe." Their programme of command of the Falcons. Both
craft. It was literally down in patrols and armed reconnaissance he and Flt. Lt. O.M. Linton, the
black and white: the grand assault continued unabated despite the B-flight commander who had
was coming. It was patent that move and 412's 18 Spitfire IXs distinguished himself on 24 July,
the Luftwaffe had been swept flew a little more than 1034 were soon thereafter granted non-
from the skies and that the dis- operational hours during June. immediate D.F.C.s.
ruption of ground installations in Even their little Auster III was The rapid advance of the ground
northern France, in preparation kept pretty busy. Their claims for troops made it possible for 412
for the greatest invasion in modern the month were one FW. 190 to move to a succession of front line
history, had been completed. destroyed and another damaged, airfields in the succeeding weeks.
On the afternoon of 5 June the one Me. 109 destroyed, one Ju. 88 Constantly on the move, they
pilots moved from their composite destroyed and two damaged. This nevertheless lost nothing in effi-
to billets at Crocker Hill. That was a remarkable showing, con- ciency. On 8 August they left
night at 2330 hours, just as air- sidering the fact that the Hun was Beny-sur-Mer for Cristot and soon
craft began filling the sky overhead chary about coming out in force after that moved on to Illiers
with gliders full of paratroopers that month and his appearances l'Eveque, Poix, Evere a large
and airborne troops bound for had been sporadic and timorous. airport half a dozen miles from
France, Group Capt. MacBrien In July he began to show himself, Brussels-and then Le Culot, also
called all the pilots of 126 and 127 especially after the push around in Belgium. October took them
Wings together to announce that Caen began. The Falcons flew 902 across the borders of The Nether-
D"-Day had arrived. The briefing operational sorties (1092:20 hours) lands to Rips and then Volkel.
broke up at 0130 hours on the 6th. for the month. They destroyed Although the outfit began to take
18 enemy aircraft and damaged on some of the aspects of a travel-
Two hours later 412 was summoned
five>not a bad piece of work for ling tentshow, their usefulness only
to readiness.
26 pilots. Noteworthy was Flt. increased.
At 0810 hours the squadron

SEPTEMBER 1958
19
 TWO-DAY RECORD as well, however, as the six destroyed, one casualty in the air: Flt. Lt.
Indeed, in September they chalked four "probables" and five damaged Doak w as s ho t d ow n n e ar
up an almost incredible record on of December testified. Flt. Lt. Osnabruck. .
two successive days. Pickings had R.N. Earle, one of the outstanding Weather permitted a mere eight
been small of late, due to Jerry's
pilots, was killed by flak that days of flying in the next three
caution. On 26 and 27 September month and Flying Officer C. W. weeks. When 412-finally did get
Glithero became a P.O.W. for the back into action after this enforced
the situation was redressed, and
rest of the war. idleness there was a tragic loss of
412 scored an amazing total of
31 enemy fighters destroyed and
As 1944 closed the Falcons an entire section of four aircraft.
seven damaged. could justly claim a substantial Flt. Lt. MacPherson, Pilot Officers
share in the vast and gallant effort B.S. McPhee and W.J. Walkom
A lull in October checked this
rapid pace and gave the squadron
that was to make 1945 the long- and Flt. Lt. F.H. Richards all
sought year of victory. The last failed to return from a sweep m
a little time to settle into their
major operation of the Luftwaffe the Nijmegen area, disappearing
latest digs'. There was plenty
in snow flurries. Forced down by
of flyboy talk in the mess, however,
weather, the first three became
even on rainy days. Five pilots of
401 Squadron had destroyed an
P.O.W.s at Stalag Luft XIII. Flt.
Lt. Richards, knocked down by
Me. 262 on 5 October and this flak, was slightly wounded but
was thought to be the first
jet-job bagged by any R.A.F. or (with the aid of the valorous Dutch
R.C.A.F. squadron. The Me. 262, Resistance) made his way back in
April.
originally a Kampfzers toerer,
was the first successful jet ever to
CHANGEOVER
come into general combat use.
Ordinarily no Spitfire could touch In January a number of squad-
it, but these R.C.A.F. lads were ron standbys completed their tours.
lucky. The O.C., Sqn. Ldr. Dover, was
The only real action of the month succeeded by Sqn. Ldr. Boyd.
for 412 Squadron came on the 28th. Flt. Lts. Banks, and D. Dewan
Pilot Officer W.C. Busby joined took over "A" and B" Flights
the aces Laubman and Charron respectively. Numerous other
on the scoreboard and between changes were made through post-
them they put up four destroyed ings but by February 412 once
and one "probable." again had its full complement of
pilots (25 officers and two warrant
WINTER OPS Sqn. Ldr. D.H. Dover, D.F.C. and Bar. officers), two ground officers and
13 airmen.
One of the squadron's worst Dive-bombing and armed recce
days came on 19 November. In an operations, unopposed but for
armed recce in the Bocholt area in war in the air came on New occasional flak, continued; usually
a whole section was wiped out. Year's Day, 1945. In an attempt to six aircraft composed a section
Flying Officers ].W. Johnston, catch the Allied airmen off guard and 500-pound bombs were carried.
W.H. Bellingham and the stalwart and to make a valiant try at The 45-gallon extra fuel tanks
Flt. Lt. Charron were all killed salvaging an already forlorn cause, were often used and afforded
while W.O. I J.A. Comeau was the Germans attacked the airfields valuable added range. They tended,
severely wounded and later lost of The Netherlands and Belgium of course, to render the aircraft a
his right leg by amputation. Flying in force. R.C.A.F. wings at Eind- trifle less manoeuvreable, but this
Officer F.T. Murray was credited hoven, Evere and Heesch sustained was unimportant due to the absence
with the month's sole victory losses in aircraft and personnel,
during a patrol over Venlo on of concentrations of G.A.F. fighters.
but took a heavy toll of the enemy. Two pilots brought down by flak
26 November. During the day 40 enemy aircraft
On 5 December the squadron on 11 February (Pilot Officer
were destroyed and at least a L. Dunkleman and Flying Officer
moved from the rain-swept and dozen more probably destroyed or
muddy fastness ofVolkel to Heesch, A.T. Gibb) both made their way
damaged. Of this bag 412 alone back unharmed. Engine failure
in The Netherlands, for the winter. netted seven, the victors being
From here they continued their claimed the life of Pilot Officer
Sqn. Ldr. D.H. Dover, FIt. Lts. Cowan on the 22nd when he was
rail interdiction, often carrying J.B. Doak, B.E. MacPherson, W.J.
1000 pounds of explosives a 500- within six miles of base.
Banks, J.A. Swan, and Flying During February Flt. Lt. C. Fox,
pound bomb under the fuselage Officers V. Smith and E.D. Kelly.
and a 250-pounder under each who had recently completed his
None of 412's aircraft was damaged tour with the Falcons, received a
wing. Fighter sweeps continued on the ground and they had but bar to the D.F.C. he had previously
20
THE ROUNDEL
 won with them. Flt. Lt. Banks
lso was so honoured. Pilot Officer to their officers, these "erks" none-
j • Keats commenced his second theless worked with cheerfulness
tour with the squadron in February. and efficiency. The nickname became
in time one which lost any pejorative
colouring that it might once have
had and it designated an indis-
SPRING OFFENSIVE pensable member of the fighting
team.
The squadron was released for
24-hour periods on several occasions
in March as part of the wing's
new policy of restricted flying. GERMANY AT LAST
Only twice in that month was the
Luftwaffe encountered. Their The groundcrew didn't have time
boldness then cost them five air- to ponder this, however. They
craft at the hands of 412. Ground were moving again-and into
targets had assumed paramount Germany at last! The Falcons
importance. With the successful went first to Rheine on 12 April
completion of the first stage of and then to the old Luftwaffe
the Rhine crossing, 412's role permanent air station at Wunstorf
became armed reconnaissance aimed (distinguished from the air by its
at harrying transportation and St. Andrew's cross pattern of
disrupting communications. runways) on the 15th.
Sqn. Ldr. FE. Green, D.F.C.
Operations were conducted in the Although they had moved up in
Dorsten /Hal tern /Ham /Munster order to put their Spits even closer
area with very favourable results to the front lines, they seemed in
and the squadron logged 601 TEAMWORK one sense to be even farther from
operational sorties (897:20 hours), the war. They were already, in
twice the February score. But the end was near and this the luxury of Wunstorf, tasting the
was no time to slacken. The pilots fruits of victory. The leaky tents
Germany was beginning to piled up impressive lists of "smokers
crumble; even some of the Germans and Spartan accommodations
and "flamers"* and on the ground seemed far away memories. Now
saw that. When Flt. Lt. JG. the servicing crews did yeoman
Burchill was hit by flak and forced they had brick buildings, crystal
service to keep an average of chandeliers, bowling alleys and
to bale out, he fell into Nazi 79.4,% of the aircraft ready for
hands and was held prisoner at wine cellars!
use at all times. Surely, in any
Handorf airfield. One of the guards estimate of the factors directly From Wunstorf the army-support
(with an eye to the future) helped contributing to the squadron's en- programme-defensive patrols over
him to escape, hid him in an air viable place among the top fighter our own forward lines-continued
raid shelter, and contacted 9th units, an enormous amount of immediately. Every day began
U.S.A.A.F. advance troops for credit would have to be accorded with the pre-dawn roar of the
him. "He had fed me and kept up to the ground crews who "kept "milk-run" patrols warming up
a continuous recce during this 'em flying." The chief role of 2nd their engines. Flak was the major
period," Burchill reported to in- T.A.F. being army support meant enemy, road convoys throwing up
telligence officers later, describing that everything had to be sub- heavy barrages to protect them-
the couple of days in which he hid ordinated to two principal con- selves and railway flak cars being
from the Germans in their own siderations: continuity of operations particularly dangerous. In addition
camp. "I signed a paper for him." and mobility. the Germans had set up camouflaged
flak traps in the fields, often baiting
As the routed German forces In functioning under mobile field them with dummy aircraft.
fled before the relentless Allied conditions the servicing crews
advance, the pace of operations worked wonders and earned the Flak brought down Flt. Lts. W.J.
quickened. In April 412 flew highest praise. Lacking the glamour Anderson (killed) and W.R. James
642 sorties (1065 hours), strafing of the pilots, and some of the (P.O.W.) at the end of March,
the crowded roads. Many, while amenities and privileges afforded but as the squadron began to
carrying out their duty with deter- operate closer and closer to Allied
mination disliked the work. lines the chances increased that,
From 'D"-Day until 31 March 1945
Bombing bridges or doing "rail the squadron scored 230 enemy transports if one had to hit the silk, one could
cuts" was all very well, but some destroyed and 574 damaged, 27 train return to the squadron. Flying
pilots had to force themselves to
: ind 20 locomotives destroyed, Officer V. Smith and FIt. Lts.
carnages a ore damaged cut rail lines
plus many m
fire their guns when an enemy in 86 places, dropped 1132 500-poun
'9 id R.B. Barker and L.A. Stewart
column of men or horse-drawn bombs, and generally harried enemy were brought down, only to be
troops and communications. back with 412 in a matter of hours.
carts was in their sights.

SEPTEMBER 1958
21
 LUCK G OOD AND BAD was official the Falcons had nearly half previously, and became a utt
The accurate pinpointing of Fly- worn themselves out with rejoicing, of Air Transport Command. n
ing Officer G.N. Horter's crash on but they summoned enough strength June, 1955, after a record 16 years
28 April made possible a spectacular on 4 May to greet the proclamation of tenure at the same station
rescue. He had "ridden it down" with "enthusiastic and spontaneous (Rockcliffe), the squadron moved
celebration." to Uplands, its present home base,
in No Man's Land about two miles
southeast of Marschacht. At first The squadron, with other units of from which its aircraft fly to all
the other members of his section 126 Wing, then moved to Fassberg, parts of the globe. .
were sure he had "bought it" for, one of the largest and most com- In 1946 the squadron made its
on landing, the jet tank of his fortable airdromes in Germany, in first V.I.P. intercontinental trip
'plane had caught fire and left May, and in July to Utersen, near a Dakota flight to South America.
Hamburg, as part of the British Since then it has logged many
a SO-foot trail of fire "before the Air Forces of Occupation. But thousands of miles and in the
a/c blew up." The Operations everything now was an anticlimax. process has carried many dis-
Record Book recorded: "It is
strongly believed that he was The burning question in nearly tinguished passengers-latest of
every mind-far more important whom was H.R.H. Princess
instantly killed, unless he was
even than "scrounging" and Margaret on her cross-Canada tour
miraculously thrown clear."
souvenir-hunting-was when do in the C-5 this summer. The
They were wrong. Two days later we go home? The answer did squadron's maiden trans-Pacific
the squadron medical officer, Flt. not come until the Ides of March flight was made by a Liberator
Lt. J.E. McAllister, arrived on the 1946. A few days after that the in June 1947: its first trans-Atlantic
scene and found Horter, still strapped Spits took off for Topcliffe, the crossing the following April. In
in the cockpit, wounded but semi- "sausage machine" of demobbing, the spring of 1949 the squadron
conscious. An army unit nearby and the Ile de France draft for acquired its first North Star,
had seen the crash and the aircraft Canadian shores. after which intercontinental flights
in flames but "were not anxious became routine. First round-the-
to investigate', having recently world trip was made in January
POST-WAR POSTCRIPT
lost a lieutenant and a sergeant
1950. On 29 May 1953 412
to snipers in the area. Flying On 1 April 1947 No. 12 Communi- received the Comet, first jet
Officer Horter's life was saved by cations Squadron, which had transport in the R.C.A.F.
the squadron's loyal concern for operated out of Rockcliffe since In tern a tional develop men ts
one of its own-and by the fact 10 September 1939, was reorganized during the post-war years have
that he had not been thrown to lay more emphasis on the unit's greatly increased. the transport
clear. In his injured state he would transport responsibilities. Its new
surely not have been able to keep commitments of the R.C.A.F. as
designation became No. 412 (Com- a whole and of 412 in particular.
his head above water in the deep posite) Squadron and its badge,
pool nearby into which he likely The notables, including those of
the flying falcon. royal blood, who have been en-
would have been thrown. Thus began a new career for 412, trusted to its care are legion, and
Flying Officer D.M. Pieri, D.F.C., which has made it once again one far too numerous to'mention here.
one of 412's best pilots, was not of the best known squadrons in Suffice it to say that the flying
so lucky. Brought down by flak the R.C.A.F. On 1 April 1949, falcon continues to add honour to
northeast of Hamburg on 3 May, 412 (Composite) was redesignated a proud heritage-in a vastly
he became the squadron's last 412 (Transport) Sqn., having different role than that to which
wartime casualty. He had 3% e/a dropped its functions of providing it was born.
destroyed while with 412 to his practice flying facilities for A.F .H.Q.
credit, plus another 2% scored and A.M.C.H.Q. a year and a THE END
with another squadron. Pilot Officer
J.E. Taylor was fatally injured
after the war, on 1 June, in a
highlevel bombing practice at The World Veteran's Federation is an organization with 20 million
Weymouth, and Flt. Lt. J. MacKay members in 36 countries, dedicated to the realization of the ideal of
was seriously injured in a crash- "peace and freedom" and support of the United Nations. It also has
landing while on course at R.A.F. a world-wide programme of activities in the social, economic and cultural
Station Sylt, Germany, on 19 sphere, established with the support of the war veterans' leaders in the
countries concerned.
December 1945.
One of its slogans was given by Ralph Bunche, U.N. Under-Secretary
V-E DAY for Special Political Affairs, who wrote, in the official W.V.F. Credo,
"None can speak more eloquently for peace than those who have fought
And then it was all over. Rumours in war". The W.V.F. has practised this credo by encouraging veterans'
that the Reich was "Kaput" had leaders in many countries to inspire and head movements such as re-
been rife since the beginning of habilitation of the disabled and land settlement, for the good of their
May. By the time the capitulation communities and nations.

22
THE ROUNDE!
 24%

Suqqeotio

Air Marshal Hugh Campbell,

Chief of the Air Staff, has written
Flt. Sgt. L. Piper, of R.C.A.F. Stn.
Rockcliffe, designed an identification letters to the undermentioned W.0.2 J.L. I-lighet, of R.C.A.F. Stn.
label system for trunks, cartons and N.C.O.'s, thanking them for origi- Winnipeg, improved the method of
packing cases, now used on R.P.S. photo nal suggestions which have been recording serial or registration numbers
operations. of "A" class equipment in Articles in
officially adopted by the R.C.A.F.: Use ledgers.
Cpl. J.A. Miller, of R.C.A.F. Stn. FIt. Sgt. W.II. Cook, of R.C.A.F. Stn.
North Bay, developed an improved Sgt. C.J. Cosgrove, of R.C.A.F. Stn.
Falconbndge, suggested an improved Trenton, suggested a format for use at
method of handling and storing equip- tuning procedure for the AN/FPS-3
ment stocked by tool cribs. Command level in dispatching messages.
radar set.

Nothing Ado About Much The kind of behavior that once

· • • which just about sums up the popular attitude about weather, brought disgrace, now brings a
heavy or otherwise. O. Henry said, "We may achieve climate, but movie, book, or television contract.
weather is thrust upon us." Mr. James Whitcomb Riley" ... it hain't (Banking)
no use to grumble and complain, it's just as easy to rejoice, when God
sorts out the weather and sends rain, why rain's my choice_!"
To those who can hibernate and ride out heavy weather with candles, Will the Moon become a new
sterno stove and Hershey bars, doing nothing about the weather is likely source of conflicts for earth-dwel-
the least resistant path. But to those charged with the safety and lers? If so, it would be a sad
operational readiness of aircraft, facilities and personnel, the current change for the friend of children
heavy weather season of typhoons, monsoons, williwaws and hurricanes lovers and amiable madmen.
requires much ado. (Approach, U.S. Naval Aviation Safety Review.) (World Veteran.)

SEPTEMBER 1958
23
 AR MARSHAL W.A. Curtis, C.B.,
C.B.E., D.S.C., E.D. (retired), who
was elected President of the
R.C.A.F. Association at the eighth
annual convention, has addressed
the following message to all
members:
"I consider it a real honour
as well as a great compliment
to have been elected National
President of the R. C.A.F. Asso-
ciation at the Annual Meeting
in Edmonton on Friday, 6 June.
It was over ten years ago
that we were successful in
persuading the Government to
authorize and support this
organization. Air Chief Marshal
Breadner kindly consented to
act as the organizer and the
first president. This set a very
high standard for the orga-
nization, and practically
guaranteed its success. Havelock, Ont., 21 August 1893, rons at Toronto, Hamilton and
These ten years have been and educated in Toronto, leaving London.
very eventful ones, and the school in 1915 to join the 34th Between wars, A/M Curtis was
R.C.A.F. Association has grown Infantry Battalion. He later won in business and when called up for
in stature each year, which his commission with the 21st Regi- regular duty on I September 1939,
reflects great credit on those ment and learned to fly at his own he was president of the W. A.
charged with the responsibility expense at the Curtiss Flying
Curtis Insurance Co., Toronto.
of guiding it. School at Long Branch, near
At war's outbreak, he was placed
I feel that we are on the Toronto. In 1916 he transferred to
in charge of a committee selecting
right track in our aims and the Royal Na val Air Service and
aerodrome sites in Ontario for the
served overseas as a fighter pilot.
objectives, and I am sure that
His operational career was highly
BC.AT.P. He became Director of
you will all agree with me that Postings and Records at Ottawa
each year we should become distinguished and before being in-
headquarters shortly thereafter,
more important and more use- valided home in 1918 he was
awarded the D.S.C. and Bar. and in April 1941 was named
ful in our effort to support the Commanding Officer at No. 2
Royal Canadian Air Force. Air Marshal Curtis served with Flying Training School at Uplands,
I thank you for the confidence Canada's reserve forces after re- near Ottawa. He later served in
you have placed in me in elect- turning home, first as an officer of various headquarters positions, and
ing me National President, and the Canadian Air Force and then in November 1941, went overseas
sincerely hope that I will be for eight years as an officer of the as Deputy Commander in Chief.
able to live up to your ex- Toronto Scottish Regiment. His He served overseas until January,
pectations.' interest in flying continued, how- 1944, when he returned to Canada
ever, and he was one of the to become Air Member for Air
founders of the Toronto Flying Staff at Ottawa. With the con-
FIRST WAR PILOT Club, acting as its president for solidation of the three services
three years. He assisted in the under one department in January
The newly elected National Pres- organization of 110 R.C.A.F. Aux-
ident is a life member of the 1956, he became Air Member for
iliary Squadron, in Toronto, and Air Plans, and in 1947 succeeded
R.C.A.F. Association and Vice became officer commanding in 1935.
Chairman of the board for A. V. Air Marshal Robert Leckie as
In 1938 he was promoted to Wing Chief 'of the Air Staff. He retired
Roe, Canada, Ltd. He was born at Commander in charge of the squad- from active service in 1952.
24
TIE ROUND±!
 W e regret the error in our last
:. ge which incorrectly identified
isst M ·ynarsir
ki as w,·id ow,
M rs, Mary · I
. stead of sister-in-iaw, o f t h e late
'ksarew Mynarski, V.C.

Master of Ceremonies Arthur Buckley introduces past presidents and president-

elect at annual Charter Night celebration of No. 250 (Saint John) Wing. Fror
left to right: Mr. Buckley, N. Jackson, E.B. Fitzgerald, C.Y. Swanton, C. LeB.
Dunbrack (president-elect), D.B. Flower, P.F. Connell, and retiring president
J.E. Richards.
The Association's Legal Represen-
tative, Mr. George Ault, Q.C., is
introduced to President Eisenhower
at a war memorial ceremony during
the recent visit to Ottawa by the
United States President. Mr. Ault
represented the National President
at this function. On the right is the
Hon. A.J. Brooks, Minister of Veterans'
Affairs.

The Harold Feldman Memorial

Trophy, awarded annually by 306
(Maple Leaf) Wing, Montreal, to the
outstanding squadron in the college
Five members of the Women's Auxiliary of 700 (Edmonton) Wing: President
Audrey Johnstone, Margot Esdale, Jean Potter, Charlotte Kay and Grace
sports programme at Le College Hutchings. Now in its third year and with 37 members, the Auxiliary has
Militaire Royale, is accepted by been a great help to the Wing in a variety of projects.
Deputy Cadet Squadron Leader
M.B.M. Ellis, Cartier Squadron,
during graduation ceremonies at
St. Johns, P.Q. Making the pres- Members of the 1958-59 executive of 428 (Peterborough) Wing. President Bill
entation is Wally Nobes, wing pres- Blundell is seated front row centre.
ident. The Trophy was originated
three years ago in memory of a past
president,

SEPTEMBER 1958
25
 OFF TO CAMP! The Sudbury, Ont., Air Cadet Squadron preparing to board a train for summer camp at R.C.A.F.
Station Clinton. (Sudbury Daily Star Photo).

RECORD SUMMER IN REVIEW (This section of ''The Roundel

is prepared by R.C.A.F. Associa-
tion Headquarters, 424 Metcalfe
St., Ottawa, Ont.)
Ar time of writing, the League with their squadrons, accommoda-
is preparing to draw down the ted 100 cadets at R.C.A.F. Station
curtain on a record-breaking sum- Camp Borden, Ont. The Drill
mer of special activities. During Instructors Course, also at Borden, the United Kingdom after flying
July and August well over 6,500 handled the same number of cadets the Atlantic via the Azores in an
cadets were engaged in the most and in addition to training highly R.C.A.F. North Star. A Royal
extensive summer training pro- qualified drill instructors for the reception at Buckingham Palace
gramme ever organized by the squadrons, prepared the Canadian was one highlight of the overseas
League and the R.C.A.F. team which this year took part tour. Another eight cadets went
Through the kind co-operation in the International Drill Display sightseeing on the continent-two
of the R.C.A.F., the attendance at the Minnesota State Fair on each in Denmark, Sweden, Norway
quota for summer camps at Sea 23 August. Graduates of both and Holland. Another 25 of our
Island, B.C., Clinton, Ont., and courses received a training bonus top cadets visited New York City,
Greenwood, N.S., was raised this of $100. the State of Massachusetts and
year to 6,000. This annual two- A record number of cadets, 339, Washington, D.C. Reciprocal
week stay on an R.C.A.F. station, reported for flying training at parties of cadets from these countries
when cadets take part in a health- clubs and schools across the coun- were entertained in Canada-the
ful outdoor sports programme and try. Of this number, 250 were overseas party visiting the Mari-
have a close look at the air force awarded R.C.A.F. scholarships and times, Quebec and Ontario, while
at work and at play, is relished by 89 received privately donated the U.S. party toured Quebec
cadets as an exciting reward for League scholarships. Graduates of and Ontario.
hard work and regular attendance the course received Air Cadet In addition to the foregoing,
during the training year. flying badges and qualified at approximately 200 cadets under-
The Senior Leaders' Course, private pilot licence level. went R.TT.P. training in specific
which prepares senior cadets for In the Exchange Visits depart- trades at Reserve units across the
future positions of responsibility ment, 25 Canadian cadets toured country.

26 THE ROUND:A
 CAREER PREPARATION
(COE of the prime purposes of
Air Cadet training 1s to prepare
oung men for their future careers.
is a source of considerable
satisfaction to the League that
many graduate cadets choose to
make their careers in the R.C.A.F.
Last year, for example, 962 ex-Air
Cadets enlisted in the regular
force, representing 13, of the
R.C.A.F. intake for the year, and
18% of the total number of cadets
to graduate from the squadrons Four top tag-day salesmen of the Fredericton, N.B., Air Cadet Squadron
won a tour of the Canadair plant in Montreal for their efforts. Mr. E. Ainger,
in 1957. Former Air Cadets rate chairman of the Montreal Air Cadet Committee and the Canadair executive
as a very desirable type of recruit; who organized the tour, greets(I. to r.)W.O.2 R.J. Freeman, Sgt. J.M. Tonner,
they are usually well-motivated A.C.ls F.A. Pieroway and D.S. McKnight.
and their pre-training leads to a
lower wastage rate than that which "Flight Sergeant" Pagnutti of No. in first place with a Distinguished
applies to recruits from other 66 Fort William Squadron was Pass in both flying and ground
sources. photographed on an aircraft ramp school.
A typical example of one who in Washington, D.C. as a member After graduating from Queen's,
has used his Air Cadet training to of the visiting Air Cadet exchange Flt. Lt. Pagnutti transferred from
advantage in the R.C.A.F. is party to the U.S. Now he is an the aircrew list to the Aeronautical
Joseph Pagnutti of Fort William, R.C.A.F. Flight Lieutenant and Engineering Branch. Postings
Ont. Ten years ago this summer, a lecturer in the Mechanical Engi- followed to 14 Training Group,
neering department of Royal Mili- Winnipeg; R.C.A.F. Station
tary College, Kingston. Aylmer and 3055 Reserve T.T.U.
At Washington National Airport, Joseph Pagnuttijoined the cadets Vancouver. Flt. Lt. Pagnutti esti-
10 August 1948: FIt. Sgt. J. Pagnutti, in 1945 and completed his flying mates that, during his service with
R.C.A.C.; Cadet Lt. R. Kipp, C.A.P.; the T.T.U., about 40% of the
Capt. W. Sherman, United Airlines training course in 1946, receiving
Senior Pilot. his private pilot's licence. When Auxiliary airmen trained to Group
he returned from his exchange 1 level during the summer months
a] trip to the U.S. he found that he
had won a League scholarship,
were ex-air cadets. He noted that
students with Air Cadet training

I
{
enabling him to attend the
Canadian Services Colleges. He
spent two years at Royal Roads
usually scored high in trade and
drill examinations.
In July, 1956, after a short tour
and two years at R.M.C. at R.C.A.F. Station Sea Island, he
was · transferred to his present
In June 1952 he graduated from position in the Mechanical Engi-
R.M.C. and received a permanent neering Dept. at R.M.C. For the
commission in the R.C.A.F. He past two years he has been lecturing
took an additional year to complete in internal combustion engines,
his Mechanical Engineering course gas turbines, power plants, and
at Queen's University and earned the related cycles and thermo-
his Bachelor of Science degree in dynamics associated with the sub-
May, 1953. ject. This posting has enabled
Flt. Lt. Pagnutti had been flying him to work on a Master's degree
during the summer training phase in Mechanical Engineering at
of the Canadian Services College Queen's University, and he is now
course. As might be expected, he completing his research project.
found that the flying training That is the story of one former
he received while in the Air Cadets Air Cadet who has been assisted
gave him a distinct advantage; in building a successful career in
wings parade at Centralia he the service. It is a story that, with
.,s awarded the siaddtey Trophy suitable changes in detail, could
~ the highest flymg mark in the be repeated many times over,
as. completing the gunnery both in the service and in civilian
course at MacDonald, he graduated life.

27
SEPTEMBER 1958
BY WING COMMANDER F.H. HITCHINS

R.C.A.F. Air Historian

(C) the morning of 5 September

1917 information was received at
the Royal Naval Air Service sta-
tion at Great Yarmouth, on the
east coast of England, that German
Zeppelins were operating off
Terschelling Island, 200 miles away
across the North Sea. Two aircraft,
a twin-engined H.12 flying-boat
and a single-engined D.H.4 land-
plane, were at once sent off to
attack them.
The H.12 flying-boat N.8666,
"the most famous flying-boat in
the Service'', was piloted by Flight
Lieutenant Robert Leckie, D.S.C., to attack. When the flying-boat With six men on the flying-
with Squadron Commander V. opened fire on one of the dirigibles boat, and one engine dud, Leckie
Nicholl and two air mechanics it replied with heavy machine-gun was unable to get the H.12 into
completing the crew. Bob Leckie fire and, dumping its water ballast, the air again, so he started to taxi
already had one Zeppelin to his quickly climbed out of range. A across the sea towards England.
credit, the L.22, which had been squadron of enemy cruisers also Water leaked in through holes
shot down in flames on 14 May opened accurate fire on the two punctured in the hull by the anti-
1917 by the crew of N.8666 while aircraft, damaging the flying-boat. aircraft fire from the ships; more
he was at the controls; in the After a few minutes the engine of water poured into the front cock-
intervening weeks he had made the de Havilland seized, forcing pit as the flying-boat plunged its
several other attacks on Zeppelins the pilot to make a crash-landing on nose into the waves until Leckie
as the flying-boats based at Yar- the rough sea. Although one engine was immersed almost to his knees
mouth and Felixstowe waged an of the H.12 was not running well, as he sat at the controls. Knocking
active and successful campaign prejudicing their own chances of out the ends of some empty petrol
against the big gasbags. getting back to base, Nicholl and tins, the men began to bail for
Leckie "never hesitated one mo- their lives. Early in the evening
THE ATTACK ment." Leckie shoved the nose the engines stopped for lack of
of the flying-boat down in so steep Juel and the flying-boat drifted at
Thirty miles from Terschelling a dive that it almost went out of the mercy of the wind and sea.
the H.12 and the D.H.4 came upon control; then, landing near the Through the night the men had
two Zeppelins, L.44 and L.45 wreckage of the de Havilland, to bail steadily to keep their craft
covering mine sweeping operations, he skilfully jockeyed his craft on afloat. Cold, soaking wet, sea-sick,
which Leckie stalked for ten min- the turbulent waves until the two exhausted, hungry and thirsty,
utes as he tried to manoeuvre the men of the crew were, with great they all took turns at the endless
aircraft into a favourable position difficulty, pulled on board. task. When the small quantity of

28 THE ROUNDEL
 (The water-colour painting by Charles Dix :. ,
the subject for this month's Pin-Point, (_2; which provides all showing visible traces of the
ears in the Officers' Mess at R CA F s't t. s Tung for untold terrible experience they had en-
Y · ···· aron renton A: th dured for over 72 hours. Sturdy
years and generations passed, the time d · '· 1s 1e
its acquisition were forgotten. Forgot&,,'',_©rcumstances of N.8666, too, was brought home in
which ins painting depicts: a story ihat s's,"7? "® {g9 tow by the "Halcyon" and sur-
vived to fly again.
matic episodes of the 1914-18 war and abrillia t,,'°_P9® 'F®;
heritage in the air.-Editor.) uam page in Janada's

THE AFTERMATH

Although Leckie did not get his

fresh water (less than two gallons) Zeppelin that day, just eleven
indeed, they were still alive. Four months later, on 5 August 1918,
was consumed, they tapped the homing pigeons that were carried
engine radiators for rusty water to he sent the L. 70 down in flames
on the flying-boat for such emer-
slake their throats. There was no with the Commander-in-Chief of
gencies had been released at inter-
food. The float at one wing-tip, the German Zeppelin Service on
vals with messages telling of the
damaged by flak, was torn away board over the North Sea while
H.12's plight. Three of the birds manning the guns in the rear
by the sea and, to keep the wing were never seen again. But the
from dipping into the water, the cockpit of a D.H.4 flown by Major
fourth pigeon landed at the coast
men got some "rest" from their E. Cadbury. For this new exploit
guard station at Cromer Norfolk
bailing chores by crawling out on he received his third decoration,
with a message that provided the the D.F.C. Robert Leckie was the
the other wing where for two-hour clue which finally led to the rescue
stretches they clung to the struts, only airman in the Great War who
of the six men.
washed by waves that broke over had two Zeppelins to his credit.
In the message Nicholl had
the craft. For two more weary, estimated that the flying-boat After service in Canada with
seemingly interminable days and might have drifted east-north-east the Air Board as Director of
nights the ordeal continued: bail, and, acting on this hint, the com- Flying Operations from December
bail, bail ... mander of H.M.S. "Halcyon" 1919 to June 1922 he returned to
decided to search areas farther duty with the R.A.F. In 1940 he
THE RESCUE north than those covered in the came back to Canada to direct
previous days. His hunch paid off. training for the British Common-
Meanwhile, surface vessels and About midday on 8 September a wealth Air Training Plan, trans-
aircraft had been scouring the lookout on the vessel saw sunlight ferred to the R.C.A.F., and became
seas in search of the missing men. glinting on the wings of the flying- Chief of the Air Staff at the
Until dark on the 5th they hunted; boat as it tossed on the sea about beginning of 1944. Forty-four
the next day and the next they 100 miles north-east of Great months later, just 30 years after
were out again-and found nothing. Yarmouth. his gruelling experience in the
Hope was running out that the The shipwrecked men were soon North Sea, he retired from the
men would ever be found-if, safely on board the "Halcyon", Service as an Air Marshal.

Giant British Helicopter Begins Trials

The first prototype of the new

Westland Westminster twin-
engined helicopter is now under-
going ground engine tests prior to
making its maiden flight. Here the
prototype Westminster is seen
on the airfield after leaving its
hangar.
Built with a bridge-like open
structure of massive welded tubes,
this helicopter is a utility version
of a development already designed
and which is immediately suitable
for intercity services or for troop
carrying, with 42 seats arranged
m a spacious airline cabin.

SEPTEMBER 158 29
Pinetree Station Parent, scene of the R.C.A.F.'s largest summer carnival.

Carnival Queen L.A. W. Joan McCand-

Paradise at Parent
less is crowned by Air Cdre. D.A.R.
Bradshaw, D.F.C., guest of honour
from Air Defence Command Hdqts.
])e in the scantily populated pulpwood country
of Quebec lies a Pinetree radar unit that boasts the
R.C.A.F.'s highest tour extension rate. Station
Parent retains six out of every ten persons for an
extra tour of isolated duty.
Recently one of the big reasons why people like
Parent was manifest in grand style. This was the
second annual Parent Summer Carnival, when
recreation-conscious personnel blew off steam, hosting
athletes from Senneterre at the same time. Over
the 26 July weekend the placid countryside rocked
with echoes of fireworks, cheering and the music
of a first class floorshow and dance.
Traditionally, Senneterre trounces Parent at
winter sports, only to have the tables turned each
summer. This year was no exception and when
Wing Commander E.J.W. Higgin and his Senneterre
participants returned home, they took with them
the undesirable "Order of the Perpetual Finger".
Wing Cdr. C.S. Yarnell, Parent commanding
officer, pointed out that the key to success on an
isolated unit is recreation. "We encourage everybody
to keep busy at some sort of constructive project
apart from his work," he said. Parent has so many
committees that nearly every officer, airman and
airwoman is a member of at least one. In the
small P.M.Q. community several wives also serve
on committees.

30 THE ROUNDEL
 Aquatic events highlighted the programme.

- .,. .
I

j93' wy..
'.
L.A.C.s R. Gilroy (left) and A. Sommerville have fun.

Jerry and Donna Healey-Ogden give their home province

some free advertising in the children's parade which
opened the carnival.
• ,/:...
The five queen aspirants (I. tor.): Airwomen M. Mc Koen.
B.A. Fisher, P. Graham, D. Weir, and winner j.
McCandless.

Five-year old Dianne. helped by father and mother

F/0 and Mrs. T. Winslow, prepares to enter the costume
parade.

Wing Cdr. C.S. Yarnell, and friends: his daughter Kathy

(Alouettes) and Jimmie MacKay (Eskimos).
 22etten to tle '&d&tor ~ ~ Answers to ''What's the Score?''
3:(c) 4:(b)
1:(d) 2:(a)
5:(b) 6:(d) 7 :(c) 8:(d)
WORKS AND BRICKS REUNION Convention and Exhibition at Sarnia in 10:(a) 11:(a) 12:(c)
1959 and other local exhibitions.
9:(b)
Dear Sir: 13:(c) 14:(d) 15:(c) 16:(b)
May our club present a request to
Roundel readers for copies of any unique 17:(c) 18:(a) 19:(c) 20 :(d)
Planning of the reunion of wartime
photographs of the aircraft and pilots
C.E. officers to be held in Ottawa 2 and
which assisted in the development of
3 October is nearing completion. A
flight in Canada from 23 February 1909
Committee has been formed consisting
to the first flight of the CF-105? The final test of a gentleman is
of Art Davison and Ted Bain, repre-
Anyone having early air mail envelopes his respect for those who can be of
senting the ex-officers, and Ray Baker
carried on pioneer air mail flights, or
and Bill Martin for the continuing serving no possible service to him.
official first flight air mail covers, or
officers. Volunteers are being sought to William Lyon Phelps.
envelopes which were carried by the
act as canvassers in the larger urban
R.C.A.F. to isolated northern units are
areas who would make direct personal
asked to contact the Aylmer Stamp Club.
or telephone contact with the ex-officers
in their area. Anyone desiring to under- This display will belong to R.C.A.F.
take this minor but very pleasant chore Station Aylmer and not individual club Views expressed in "The Roundel"
is asked to contact the undersigned. members. Its purpose will be to publicize upon controversial subjects are
The response to the questionnaire has in philatelic circles the R.C.A.F.'s im-
portant role in the development of flight the views of the writers express-
been most gratifying, but it would be
appreciated if those who have not yet in Canada. ing them. They do not necessarily
returned theirs can get them in right away, Flt Lt. R.K. Malott, reflect the official opinions of
in order that a full indication of the the Royal Canadian Air Force.
numbers attending can be established. President, Stamp Club,
It is hoped to institute these gatherings R.C.A.F. Station Aylmer, Ont.
on an annual or bi-annual basis with the
venue of the reunion changing on each
occasion to a different location. The
success of the reunion will, of course,
North Bay Sharpshooters
depend on the turnout that is achieved,
so the support of all is solicited to ensure Pictured with some of their
maximum attendance.
R.C.A.F. Station North Bay's
Rifle and Revolver Club has just trophies won during the 1957-58
Wing Cdr. W.D. Martin,
R.C.A.F. Victoria Island, Ottawa, Ont.
completed an active and highly season are (l. to r.): Cpl. J.T.
successful year. Recently the pistol Millard, Flt. Sgt. R. Barlow, Flt.
team won the president's trophy Lt. H. Hemming (obtained highest
of the Sudbury District Police
THE VON RICHTHOFEN RELICS
individual score), Flt. Sgt. J.J.
Pistol Association. Competing were
police teams from the R.C.M.P., Grogan (club president and team
Dear Sir: 0.P.P., Sudbury, Copper Cliff, captain), Sqn. Ldr. J.R. Bell
I am a U.S.A.F. officer on exchange McKim Township, Neelon-Garson (C.Ad.0. and coach), Sgt. R. E.
duty with the R.C.A.F. and want you Township and Burwash Industrial Generoux, F/O G. Gore, F/O
to know your magazine certainly adds
to the enjoyment of my tour in Canada.
Farm. M.J. Mariacci.
This Jetter is in reference particularly
to the "Pin-Points in the Past" article
in the June-July issue. Being somewhat
of a student of aviation history and
collector of odds and ends regarding this
subject, the photos of the von Richthofen
-, -·--11
relics were especially interesting. I

Capt. T.F. Ellis, U.S.A.F.,

,
II
R.C.A.F. Stn. Lac St. Denis, P.Q. ps I
' s8

DISPLAY PLANNED °-s ]·

Dear Sir:
The R.C.A.F. Station Aylmer Stamp
Club, Canadian Philatelic Society Club
36, plans to prepare a 24-frame display
of aircraft photographs, special first flight
air mail envelopes and Canadian postage
stamps in commemoration of the 50th
Anniversary of Flight in Canada. This
display will be shown at the 31st C.P.S.

32 THE ROUNDEL
,
I

I
!

EDMOND CLOUTIER, CM.G., O.A., DS.P.

QUEEN'S PRINTER AND CONTROLLER OF STATIONERY
OTTAWA, 1958
 QUEEN'S PRINTER IMPRIMEUR DE LA REINE

If undelivered return to:

The Queen's Printer, Ottawa, Canada
En cas de non-livraison, retourner ii:
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