DAILY DIARY
1 April 1943 to 31 October 1943
No 2 RDF Maintenance Unit, No 3 RD, Vancouver, BC
1 Apr 43
Paragraph 1; No 2 RDF Maintenance Unit is formed by authority of Secret Organization Order No 101, dated 23rd october, 1942. The purpose of the Unit is the installation, maintenance calibration and technical supervision of RDF Equipment in Western Air Command. The Unit also in conjunction with Command Radio Office calibrates in the siting of the RDF Detachments and navigation beacons. The Unit also functions as an Equipment Depot for all RDF and associated equipment in this Command. A Detachment of the Unit is being formed at Sea Island for the purpose of Landplane fitting.
A system of Unit Duty Officers was set up because Station Orderly Officers may not inspect No 2 Maintenance Unit Building.
2 Apr 43
NIL
3 Apr 43
Consideration is being given to location of this Unit or Detachment thereof at Sea Island, BC, and by request from AFHQ, the situation was investigated. Recommendations forwarded suggested that setting-up of a Detachment at Sea Island for Landplane fitting and retaining the main unit at No 3 Repair Depot, because of its accessibility to railways and boats for equipment shipments.
4 Apr 43
Nil
5 Apr 43
Four RDF Mechanics returned from Boeing Aircraft, Sea Island, BC, where they had been on loan to No 13 AID Radio Shop.
6 Apr 43
No 2 Alert was sounded on the Station and all Unit passes were consequently cancelled.
7 Apr 43
The Commanding Officer required that all Officers of this Unit be posted to duty watches and therefore a change in the system for Unit Orderly Officers was necessitated.
8 Apr 43
Due to shortage of Security Guards, two Radio Mechanics were sent to accompany equipment to Coal Harbour, BC.
9 Apr 43
Inventory holders and representatives were selected for inventories of installation parties and equipment used at this Unit.
10 - 11 Apr 43
Nil
12 Apr 43
F/O AS Ideson, returned from No 11 Detachment for posting on temporary duty to RCAF Station, Rockcliffe. Sgt EB Saunders was left in charge of installation at Ferrer Point, BC.
13 Apr 43
Three RDF Mechanics were sent to Spider Island on Temporary Duty to help with the installation of No 9 Detachment.
14 Apr 43
NIL
15 Apr 43
No 7 Detachment, Patricia Bay, started quarterly overhaul and Officer in charge was F/L McKinty, Group Radio Officer. No qualifed personnel were available at this Unit for supervision of the quarterly overhaul, however, PO JS George was sent to No 7 Detachment for familiarization purposes during the overhaul.
16 Apr 43
F/O NT Trembath reported from No 2 Group Headquarters, Victoria, BC, to take over duties as Adjutant. The filling of this vacancy had been long overdue and administrative work was behind considerably, due to this fact.
17 Apr 43
Clerk Stenographer, LAC Wright, reported on posting after the Unit had been without a stenographer since formation, except for those loaned from No 3 Repair Depot.
18 Apr 43
F/O RT Harland was sent on Temporary Duty to No 8 Detachment for calibration work. After preliminary work there, it was decided that No 8 Detachment would require quarterly overhaul before commencing calibration.
19 Apr 43
A Metal Worker from No 1 Maintenance Unit, Corporal Wilson by name, reported.
20 Apr 43
Two sets of ASV were delivered to Boeing Aircraft and installed in Canso's by Sgt Ronson for purpose of delivery to their respective Squadrons.
21 Apr 43
Nil
22 Apr 43
PO Sawyer ceased attachment at the Unit for posting to RCAF Station, Bella Bella, BC.
23 Apr 43
DRO authority was granted to F/L JS Michener to act as AID Inspector for Secret Radio Equipment for the purpose of inspecting equipment returned from Units.
24 Apr 43
Preliminary tests were conducted on an experimental aerial warning device in front of No 3 Hangar.
25 Apr 43
Accompanied by F/L Hansen of the Command Radio Office, ASV equipment was transferred to Sea Island and set-up for tests using Yagi aerial and spark-gap switching arrangement. Indications proved that DF'ing was accurate and quite sharp.
26 Apr 43
No 8 Detachment was granted authority to close down for quarterly overhaul which has been long overdue, due to lack of personnel and equipment.
27 Apr 43
Corporal EGT Payne, employed formerly as CH Instructor at No 31 RDF School was sent to No 8 Detachment for familiarization purposes. F/L G Snider Technical Officer and F/O Burnney, Officer Commanding No 8 Radio Detachment, called at the Orderly Room on duty.
28 Apr 43
Corporal Payne departed for No 8 Detachment, Sea Island, BC on temporary duty. The Unit softball team lost to Sheet Metal - 9 to 7. F/L JS Michener departed for Sea Island to conduct preliminary tests on aerial warning apparatus. Apparatus consisted of ASV using common transmitting and receiving aerial. PO JS George returned from temporary duty at No 7 Radio Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC.
29 Apr 43
Nil
30 Apr 43
Nil.
Personnel strength as at this date:
RCAF - 9 Officers, 57 Airmen
RAF - 0 Officers, 2 Airmen
Total - 9 Officers, 59 Airmen - Total of 68
(JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC
1 May 43
F/L JS Michener and party left for Victoria, BC for an experimental mission.
2 May 43
Nil
3 May 43
R128881, Sergeant Gray, J, reported for attached duty as disciplinarian. F/L RA Sheppard reported for duty to fill position on establishment of Radio Officer.
4 May 43
Nil
5 May 43
F/L JD Stewart reported for duty to fill position on establishment of Radio Officer.
6 May 43
F/L JS Michener and party returned from temporary duty at Victoria, BC.
7 May 43
PO CC Aston, from Coal Harbour, BC, called to discuss ASV problems. FS RL Locke and two airmen were signalled to report to No 2 Maintenance Unit from Prince Rupert, BC.
8 May 43 WO2 W Michael and three airmen were ordered to report to No 2 Maintenance Unit from Spider Island, BC, work there having been completed. 9 May 43 Nil 10 May 43 FS EB Saunders and party of five airmen were ordered to report to No 2 Maintenance Unit from Ferrer Point, BC, the installation work having been completed. Five freight cars of RDF equipment arrived from No 17 (E) Depot, Ottawa, under armed guard. Included in this equipment were three complete RDF Ground Stations. The Equipment Section of No 2 Maintenance Unit began to move into No 3 Hangar. This Hangar is intended to be the permanent location of No 2 Maintenance Unit. The moving of the Orderly Room and Accounts Section waits upon the installation of telephones. 11 May 43 Nil 12 May 43 F/L JS Michener, F/L RA Sheppard and Corporal EGT Payne departed for Ucluelet, BC, in connection with the Quarterly Overhaul of Amphitrite Point, BC. Softball team lost to Headquarters 10-0. PO JBD Nielsen departed for Patricia Bay and Amphitrite Point, BC. 13 May 43 F/O RT Harland proceeded to Cape Scott, BC, from Sea Island, BC, for the purpose of calibration work at No 10 Detachment. 14 May 43 F/L JS Michener and party returned from Ucluelet, BC. 15 May 43 Nil 16 May 43 PO JBD Nielsen left Patricia Bay, BC, for Amphitrite Point, BC. 17 - 19 May 43 NIl 20 May 43 PO JBD Nielson returned from temporary duty. Softball team won from Stores 6-4. 21 - 23 May 43 Nil 24 May 43 Work party at No 26 RCAF Detachment, Langara Island, BC, with the exception of FS BG Doutre was ordered to return to No 2 Maintenance Unit. This Installation having been completed. FS BG Doutre remains at Langara for the purpose of supervising operations and maintenance. 25 May 43 F/L JD Stewart and F/L RA Sheppard departed for Sea Island for the purpose of determining standard procedure for the matching of GCI aerials. 26 May 43 PO JH Muncaster and Corporal PC Harraway instructed to return from RCAF Station, Bella Bella, BC, for duty at Sea Island, BC. 27 - 30 May 43 Nil 31 May 43 PO JBD Nielsen departed for Marble Island and Langara Island for the purpose of inventory checks. Personnel strength as at this date: RCAF - 10 Officers, 66 Airmen (JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant 1 Jun 43 F/L R Sheppard left for temporary duty at No 11 RCAF Detachment, Ferrer Point, BC 2 Jun 43 Plans for the location of No 2 Maintenance Unit have again been changed. It is now intended to occupy the lean-to and 1/2 of the hangar space in No 8 Hangar. P/O JH Muncaster proceeded to No 8 RCAF Detachment, Sea Island, BC, on temporary duty. 3 Jun 43 The Installation Party at Langara Island under FS BG Doutre having finished their work has returned from temporary duty as of this date. FS BG Doutre remained for instructional purposes. Corporal EGT Payne and LAC JL Turpie departed on temporary duty for No 7 RCAF Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC, for the purpose of Demolition Installation. 4 Jun 43 A special shipment of equipment was sent to No 26 RCAF Detachment, Langara Island, BC, under armed guard. 5 Jun 43 Corporal EGT Payne and LAC JL Turpie ceased temporary duty at No 7 RCAF Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC. 6 - 8 Jun 43 Nil 9 Jun 43 F/L R Sheppard ceased temporary duty at No 11 RCAF Detachment, Ferrer Point, BC. Party of four airmen returned from temporary duty at Alliford Bay, BC, the installation work at that point having been completed. 10 Jun 43 Special shipment of equipment was made under armed guard to Alliford Bay, BC. 11 Jun 43 PO SM Panagapko ceased temporary duty at RCAF Station, Coal Harbour, BC. PO SM Panagapko will head trade test board. F/L JD Stewart ceased temporary duty at No 7 RCAF Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC 12 Jun 43 FS Saunders, EB, and party of six airmen proceeded on temporary duty to No 8 RCAF Detachment, Sea Island, BC, on installation work. PO FA Campbell taken on strength on posting from Western Air Command Headquarters as Radio Engineer. 13 Jun 43 Corporal Green, CWR, and party departed on temporary duty for No 11 RCAF Detachment, Ferrer Point, BC. 14 Jun 43 F/L JD Stewart proceeded on temporary duty to No 7 RCAF Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC, on calibration duties. 15 Jun 43 Serious damage was caused to the Officers' Mess by fire of unknown origin. 16 Jun 43 PO JH Muncaster ceased temporary duty at No 160 Squadron, Sea Island, BC, and began temporary duty at No 8 Squadron, Sea Island, BC, on RDF Maintenance. F/L JD Stewart ceased temporary duty at No 7 RCAF Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC, PO EW Fox reported on attachment from Western Air Command Headquarters. 17 - 20 Jun 43 Nil 21 Jun 43 Trade Test Board composed to PO SM Panagapko, FS WV Michael and Sgt Ronson, H, began to examine airmen for re-grouping. Special shipment of equipment was sent under guard to Alliford Bay, BC. 22 Jun 43 F/L JD Stewart proceeded on temporary duty to No 8 RCAF Detachment, Sea Island, BC for the purpose of Calibration. PO FA Campbell, Sergeant Metcalfe, CS, and LAC Waterbury, LJ, proceeded on temporary duty to No 27 RCAF Detachment, Marble Island, BC, to begin installation. 23 Jun 43 F/L R Sheppard and PO JS George proceeded on temporary duty to No 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba for the purpose of a signals course. 24 Jun 43 Nil 25 Jun 43 No 2 Maintenance Unit was inspected by the Deputy Inspector General. 26 Jun 43 Nil 27 Jun 43 Transfer of equipment from No 3 Hangar to new location in No 8 Hangar was begun. FO JBD Nielsen returned from temporary duty inventory checking at Spider Island, Langara Island and Marble Island, BC. PO SM Panagapko was admitted to Station Hospital for a tonsil operation. 28 - 29 Jun 43 Nil 30 Jun 43 Personnel strength as at this date: RCAF - 11 Officers, 70 Airmen (JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant 1 Jul 43 During the month of July the new location of No 2 Maintenance Unit in the southern half of Hangar No 8 has been arranged for the use of the Unit. Tool Room and Storage Sections for heavy equipment have been separated from the balance of the hangar by cyclone fencing. The offices and stores are in the process of partitioning. New bins have been installed for the cataloguing of spare parts. It is expected that the work will be completed early in August. During the month F/O Hales and party completed the prototyping of the first Stranraer for ASD equipment. A number of airframe and aero engine mechanics have been added to strength to continue these installations. IFF installation has begun on two Bolingbrokes No's 9094 and 9082. This work is being carried out at Sea Island, BC, through the use of working parties. Special mention should be made of the portable ASV early warning device conceived and set-up by Sergeant RH Ronson (RAF). A complete set of plans and photographs of this device were forwarded to Headquarters. Western Air Command advises that all those connected with the development of this equipment have been commended for their efforts and the Unit ordered to manufacture three more sets. Sergeant Ronson has been posted Overseas effective 11 July, 1943. Sgt Ronson was an extremely capable and industrious NCO. The Officers' Mess at No 3 Repair Depot has been renovated following the recent fire, and it is expected that quarters there will be resumed early in August. Cpl Wildon, HE, has organized a Station Glee Club which is being led by LAC Levy, PH. LAC Hosford, JD, is active in the work of the YMCA and is Master of Ceremonies at most Stunt Nights and Quiz Programmes. The Unit Softball Team has lost but one game since the opening of the second half of the season. During the month the following airmen were found to be qualified for remustering to "A" Grouping in their trades - LAC Caplan, NI, LAC Levy, PH, LAC Houston, WG, LAC Corbett, CE, and LAC Hansen, ME. Cpl Wilson, HE, remustered from Metal Worker "A" to Airframe Mechanic "A". 1 Jul 43 PO SM Panagapko was discharged from the Station Hospital. The following promotions were promulgated in DRO's this date: LAC's to Corporal - LAC Cumming, LAC McBride, LAC Arnold, LAC Armstrong and LAC Murray; Cpl to Sgt - Cpl Harraway. F/L JS Michener departed for Edmonton with a draft of airmen. 2 Jul 43 A/F S Doutre, GB, is posted to Air Force Headquarters. 3 Jul 43 PO FA Campbell departed from Marble Island for Alliford Bay, BC. 4 Jul 43 Signal received from Cape Scott, BC, that Calibration has been completed. 5 Jul 43 Sgt Ronson and party of five airmen departed for Sea Island, BC, to begin a sepcial course in American Airborne RDF Equipment. Course is under the direction of an engineer detailed from Speery Engineering Co. 6 Jul 43 F/L JS Michener returned from Edmonton. F/O JBD Nielsen departed for Cape Scott, BC for the purpose of inventory check. 7 Jul 43 F/O RT Harland returned from No 10 Detachment, Cape Scott, BC 8 Jul 43 Nil 9 Jul 43 A/FS Doutre, GB, returned from temporary duty at Marble Island, BC. 10 Jul 43 Nil 11 Jul 43 Stranaer No 931 was placed in the Hangar to receive ASV Installation. 12 Jul 43 F/O JBD Nielsen returned from temporay duty at Cape Scott, BC. F/O Hales arrived from AFHQ for the purpose of prototyping installation as above mentioned. F/O CC Aston reported on posting from Coal Harbour, BC. This Officer is to be in charge of all airborne installations and maintenance. Cpl Jamieson, HWS, reported from Test and Development Establishment, Rockcliffe, Ontario. 13 Jul 43 FS Saunders, EB, and Cpl Payne, EGT, departed for temporary duty at Patricia Bay, BC. F/O RT Harland departed for temporary duty at Spider Island, BC. P/O JH Muncaster is posted to No 8 Squadron, Sea Island, BC. 14 Jul 43 Nil. 15 Jul 43 F/O JBD Nielson returned from temporary duty at Sea Island, BC. 16 Jul 43 Cpl McBride, JDC, is posted to AFHQ. 17 Jul 43 Sgt House, JT, and LAC Lisoweski, LA, reported from No 1 Maintenance Unit. Cpl Craig, WR, reported from RCAF Station, Rockcliffe, Ontario 18 Jul 43 Nil 19 Jul 43 Sgt Drinkwater, JH, and Sgt Hills, CE, reported from No 1 Maintenance Unit, Scoudouc, NB. F/L JS Michener departed for temporary duty at Patricia Bay, BC, supervising installation of new aerials. 20 Jul 43 P/O SM Panagapko is posted to No 149 Squadron, Patricia Bay, BC. 21 - 22 Jul 43 Nil 23 Jul 43 Sgt Lang, WA, departed for No 11 RCAF Detachment, Ferrer Point, BC, for the purpose of inventory check. 24 Jul 43 Cpl Mitchell, E, reported from No 1 Maintenance Unit, Scoudouc, NB. 25 - 26 Jul 43 Nil 27 Jul 43 FS Johnston, TJ, reported from No 1 Maintenance Unit, Scoudouc, NB. PO FA Campbell and Sgt Metcalfe, CS, returned from temporary duty at No 10 RCAF Detachment, Cape Scott, BC. FS Locke, RL, departed for Sand Point and Whidby Island, USA under instruction on US Navy Type ASD. 28 Jul 43 Cpl Payne, EGT, and party returned from temporary duty at Patricia Bay, BC. A/Cpl Mills, JH, appointed Temporary Corporal. 29 Jul 43 PO EW Fox ceased to be attached to No 2 Maintenance Unit and departed for No 2 Group Headquarters, Victoria, BC, for the purpose of setting-up the first ASV equipment used as early warning device. 30 Jul 43 Cpl Weir, JH, departed by air for Spider Island, BC, for the purpose of inventory check. 31 Jul 43 Sgt Lorimer, JM, reported from No 1 Maintenance Unit, Scoudouc, NB. Personnel strength as at this date: RCAF: 10 Officers, 67 Airmen (JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant 1 Aug 43 The following promotions were effective at this Unit today: Sgt Peel, JG appointed to the rank of Acting Flight Sergeant, Cpl Payne, EGT, appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant, LAC Haynes, RR appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal. 2 Aug 43 Nil 3 Aug 43 A quarterly overhaul party headed by F/S Michael departed for No 10 RCAF Detachment, Cape Scott today to completely overhaul the radio equipment at that detachment. 4 Aug 43 Progress on the Stranraer aerials and other parts for the ASV installation is faster since alternators and other parts have been received from the East. It is expected that the next Stranraer fitting here wil take longer than succeeding ones because the installation is new to many of the mechanics on the work. 5 Aug 43 Nil 6 Aug 43 P/O Campbell and his beacon installation party returned from Cape Scott where they have been investigating trouble reportd with this aparatus. 7 Aug 43 The beacon installation party which returned from Cape Scott yesterday, had to leave for Ucluelet today because the siting of that beacon is to be reviewed and changed. The general opinion is that the Ucluelet beacon is too low and too obstructed by the Ucluelet Peninsula. 8 Aug 43 Nil 9 Aug 43 The Unit was favoured by a visit from W/C Campbell of the directorate of signals who arrived in the morning and discussed various problems regarding maintenance and organization of the Unit. The main point of consideration was the effect of AFRO 1482 which authorizes the Unit to be self-accounting and which makes No 2 Maintenance Unit the accounting unit for all RDF Detachments on the coast of British Columbia. 10 Aug 43 Nil 11 Aug 43 F/O JBD Nielsen left for Ucluelet to check the inventory which is being transferred to a new OC. 12 Aug 43 Nil 13 Aug 43 F/L Stewart has completed the calibration of No 8 GCI Station, Sea Island. This is the first complete calibration on a GCI Station on this coast. Bolingbroke aircraft were used entirely, but an effort is being made to obtain Venturas in addition, for further calibrations. 14 Aug 43 Bolingbroke 9090, used in calibrating, was fitted at Sea Island with responder beacon MK IIG. The quarterly overhaul at Cape Scott was finished this date, but due to transportation difficulties the party was unable to proceed North by boat, so are returning to Vancouver to await further transportation. 15 - 16 Aug 43 Nil 17 Aug 43 At considerable loss to the Unit, the Adjutant was posted. His new unit will be No 165 Squadron which opens a F/L establishment for him. 18 Aug 43 Wing Parade was held in the morning as usual. 19 Aug 43 Nil 20 Aug 43 F/S Michael and party had to be sent to Prince Rupert by train because boat reservations are next to impossible. F/L Stewart also went to Prince Rupert to site a new GCI station near Masset, Queen Charlotte Islands. 21 Aug 43 Nil 22 Aug 43 We are advised that there will be no replacement of the Adjutant at present. The meaning of this is all too clear. 23 Aug 43 The first shipment left for Cape St James (No 28 RCAF Detachment) and consisted of the essential barrack and other non-secret equipment. 24 Aug 43 At request of WAC, an RDF Sergeant Mechanic was sent to investigate what type of IFF is installed in aircraft of the different squadrons. 25 Aug 43 Nil 26 Aug 43 The beacon at Ucluelet has been moved to Amphitrite Point and is apparently operating better. 27 Aug 43 Stranraer 919 arrived in the hangar for an ASV fitting. This was awaiting spares at No 3 Repair Depot and advantage is being taken of this time rather than calling one off operations or an OTU. 28 - 29 Aug 43 Nil 30 Aug 43 The progress on the Stranraer aerials is slow at first due to the necessity of completing jigs for these items. 31 Aug 43 It was learned today that No 9 RCAF Detachment has been completely calibrated by F/O Harland who has experienced great difficulty in keeping his Bolingbrokes serviceable and making the serviceability coincide with breaks in the weather. Personnel on strenth as at this date: RCAF: 9 Officers, 98 Airmen (JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant 1 Sep 43 The usual Wing Parade in the morning. F/S Locke, RL and fitting party left for Patricia Bay to fit workshops for No 115 Squadron and No 3 OTU. This will be the last trip for this party for sometime. 2 Sep 43 CPAL quoted the price of $230.00 for the manufacture of six Stranraer generator mounts. A meeting of station technical officers was called by S/L Ward to consider a letter of criticism on work done by No 3 Repair Depot on Canso aircraft sent to Prince Rupert. 3 Sep 43 Word received today that successful transportation of equipment to Cape St James has been effected. 4 Sep 43 Ground checks on Catalina aircraft in transit to Northern Squadrons. F/O Harland conducted field strength tests on jeep aerials. 5 Sep 43 F/O Harland conducted a calibration flight with a Ventura aircraft to compare results with a Bolingbroke. 6 Sep 43 Progress on Stranraer ASV installation was satisfactory. Parts for ignition screening are proving difficult to locate. 7 Sep 43 Two Catalina aircraft test flown and ASV checked out. Cabling was commenced on Stranraer installation. F/O Harland went to Sea Island for calibration flight. 8 Sep 43 Wing parade and drill practice in the morning. F/O JBD Nielsen returned from Amphitrite Point. One Cataline aircraft flight tested. 9 Sep 43 P/O FA Campbell and party returned from Amphitrite Point. Antenna installation on Stranraer aircraft nearly completed. 10 Sep 43 Field pattern tests run on parabolic type aerial for jeep sets. 11 Sep 43 Stranraer antenna installation completed. A few minor details necessary to release aircraft for flight test. 12 Sep 43 Nil 13 Sep 43 Investigation at CPAL as to re-wiring and fitting rebuilt aircraft. Catalina No 962 came in to the hangar for aerial repairs. 14 Sep 43 Equipment sent to CPAL for Canso checks. 15 Sep 43 Wing Parade in the morning. Stranraer 919 completed, ground tested and returned to No 3 Repair Depot. Still requires ignition shielding and flight test. 16 Sep 43 Catalina aircraft No 962 completed and ground checked. Moving of workshop fence completed today. 17 Sep 43 Flight test on Catalina No 962. P/O FA Campbell conducted aerial tests on the jeep set. Trade tests conducted today. 18 Sep 43 General clean-up in the hangar today. Further field strength tests on jeep aerial. 19 Sep 43 Nil 20 Sep 43 Catalina No FP297 in for aerial repair. Sergeant Payne, EGT and quarterly overhaul party returned from Sea Island. 21 Sep 43 A visit from F/L MacKinty, Group Radio Officer 22 Sep 43 Stranraer 909 arrived for ASV installation. 23 Sep 43 F/L JS Michener to Patricia Bay on temporary duty. Stranraer installation progressing favourably. 24 Sep 43 Nil. 25 Sep 43 F/L JS Michener returned from Patricia Bay. Stranraer 909 ready for ground test. 26 Sep 43 Nil 27 Sep 43 P/O Goldenberg and P/O Murray attached to No 2 MU for isntruction. Tri-weekly physical training periods commenced. F/L JS Michener left on annual leave. 28 Sep 43 Work is commenced on construction of ASD work bench, also shelf for storing of ASV sets. 29 Sep 43 Stranraer 909 ground checked. Faulty aerial discovered and minor modification deemed advisable. 30 Sep 43 Production of spare folded dipoles for Yagi aerials commenced. These are to supply demands from Squadron RDF sections. Personnel strength as at this date: RCAF: 10 Officers, 97 Airmen (JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant 1 Oct 43 Sgt Payne and his party returned from No 7 Detachment, Patricia Bay, BC. Sgt Hills and party installed IFF in two Bolingbrokes (Nos 9088 and 9094) at Sea Island, BC. 2 Oct 43 LAC Burns, FO proceeded on temporary duty to RCAF Station, Annette Island, Alaska to serve as IFF for Calibration party. 3 Oct 43 Nil 4 Oct 43 F/L JS Michener returned from annual leave. Sgt Hills posted to AFHQ effective 7th October. P/O FA Campbell and party took Jeep set to Point Grey, BC, for purpose of testing new type aerial. Calibration No 27 Det, Marble Island commenced today. 5 Oct 43 P/O FA Campbell proceeded to WAC Headquarters for a few days temporary duty. LAC Waterbury and Sgt Ferguson, JH, attached to No 13 AID for duty at Boeing Aircraft Ltd. Sgt Metcalfe proceeded to Sea Island for ASD Instruction. Stranraer 909 returned to No 3 RD and awaits flight test. F/S WV Michael and party returned by air from RCAF West Coast Detachments. 6 Oct 43 Usual Weekly Wing Parade. Daily instructional periods for RDF Mechanics commenced today. 7 Oct 43 Sgt Payne and Quarterly Overhaul Party left for No 13 Detachment, Amphitrite Point, BC. P/O FA Campbell returned to the Unit from WAC Headquarters. F/O JS George returned to the Unit from No 3 Wireless School, Winnipeg. Stranraer No 952 arrived for ASV fitting. F/L CH Jones reported to this Unit. F/L HW Bishop admitted to Station Hospital this date. 8 Oct 43 F/O JS George and party left for Victoria with new aerial for "Jeep" Set at Jordan River. 9 Oct 43 Work has commenced on construction of low powered beacons from MK II(G) IFF sets. 10 Oct 43 Nil 11 Oct 43 F/O JS George and party returned from Victoria, BC. 12 Oct 43 Work on Stranraer No 952 disbanded pending investigation as to serviceability of aircraft. Cable party sent to Boeing Aircraft Factory to make use of slotted line equipment at that point. 13 Oct 43 Usual Wing Parade this morning. Daily discussions in Air Work Shop are proving valuable. A number of Lectures are prepared ahead. 14 Oct 43 Catalina No 217 flight tested and found to have objectionable interference in Radi equipment caused by ASV. 15 Oct 43 Sgt Grey from Boeing Aircraft Plant inspected Catalina No 217 as to ASV Interference. Further test flights showed some improvement, but interference still objectionable. 16 Oct 43 A wave trap and DC line filter have been installed in Catalina No 217. Word received that a son was born to F/L JS Michener this date. Flight Test on Aircraft No 217 and 571 washed out on account of weather. 17 Oct 43 Flight tested Catalina No 217. Modifications proved satisfactory. 18 Oct 43 P/O FA Campbell left for Jordan River to work on Antenna matching for the "Jeep" set. 19 Oct 43 S/L Grant from AFHQ paid a visit to the Unit. Wave traps are being installed in the JX Series Catalina aircraft to prevent interference with communication radio. 20 Oct 43 Usual Wing Parade this morning. Installation of ASV on Stranraer Aircraft No 952 once again in progress. Another visit from S/L Grant and S/L Hansen for disbanding No 2 Maintenance Unit. Two Catalina aircraft were flight tested. 21 Oct 43 Fair results being obtained from low powered beacons, further modifications in progress. 22 Oct 43 Signal arrived from AFHQ disbanding No 2 Maintenance Unit. Senior RDF Officers from AFHQ visited the Unit. 23 Oct 43 RDF Test flight to Ucluelet, BC. good results on IFF Beacon sets at 177 megs. 24 Oct 43 Nil 25 Oct 43 Three day RDF Conference at WAC Headquarters commenced today. F/L JS Michener in attendance. 26 Oct 43 RDF Conference still in session. Catalina No 572 test flown. Beacon picked up at 16 miles. Catalina No 290 in for new aerial fitting. 27 Oct 43 Usual Wing Parade this morning. RDF Conference concluded today. 28 Oct 43 A number of Radio Officers from points up the Coast visited the Unit. Work on Catalina No 290 completed. 29 Oct 43 F/L's HW Bishop and CH Jones proceeded to Sea Island, BC, to investigate trouble at that point. 30 Oct 43 A visit from Mr Sebold, Sperry Engineer, to check on ASD Spares. P/O FA Campbell left on annual leave. Sgt Metcalfe, CA, and LAC Waterbury, LJ, left for No 27 Det, Marble Island, BC, today to begin modifications. 31 Oct 43 Nil Personnel strength as at this date: RCAF: 10 Officers, 96 Airmen (JS Michener) Flight Lieutenant
RAF - 0 Officers, 2 Airmen
Total - 10 Officers, 68 Airmen - Total of 78
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC
RAF - 0 Officers, 2 Airmen
Total 11 Officers, 72 Airmen - Total of 83.
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC
RAF: 0 Officers, 3 Airmen
Total: 10 Officers, 70 Airmen. Total of 80.
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC
RAF: 0 Officers, 2 Airmen
Total: 9 Officers, 100 Airmen. Total of 109.
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC
RAF: 0 Officers, 3 Airmen
Total: 10 Officers, 100 Airmen. Total of 110.
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC
RAF: 0 Officers, 3 Airmen
Total: 10 Officers, 99 Airmen. Total of 109
Officer Commanding,
No 2 Maintenance Unit,
c/o No 3 Repair Depot,
RCAF, Vancouver, BC