Gypsumville, MB

1964 – Historical Summary – National Archives of Canada

Historical Summary
RCAF Station Gypsumville
1 Jan 64 to 31 Dec 64

Introduction

Gypsumville is a heavy radar station located on a ridge 150 miles north of Winnipeg in the interlake region of Manitoba.

Major Function

Gypsumville’s function is to detect aircraft by use of its AN/FPS-27 Heavy Search Radar and its two height finders AN/FPS-507 and AN/FPS-26. The information obtained by the Radars is converted by an AN/FST-2 Computer and passed by Telco to sector headquarters at Duluth Minnesota. The GATR Site is Sector’s link with intercepting aircraft.

  1. - Summary of Unit Activities

    2. During the year the Station became fully operational; the unit EDP was published and partially exercised; and the source of prime power and heat was converted from OTC5 Orenda Turbines to Manitoba Hydro and Canadian National Express Steam Generators.

  2. – Operations

    3. Operational Exercises were carried out during the year at an approximate rate of two a month.

  3. – Training

    4. General Trade Advancement training was carried out on a continuing basis. All Station personnel were trained in Security Guard Tactics.

  4. – Technical
    1. The FPS-27, FPS-26, FPS-507 and FST-2 equipments became fully operational 23 January 1964.
    2. During the year the OCT5 Orenda Turbines, the prime source of power and heat on the unit, were continually breaking down mostly because of incomplete burning of fuel that was being used.

On 13 March 1964 a test was run on turbine number three to determine the combustion qualities of JP4 fuel. During the testing of JP4, the smoke from the exhaust depreciated and seemed much lighter. As the test progressed, the smoke increased and so the test was concluded with no apparent conclusion reached. In August 1964 a meeting was held at TCHQ Winnipeg with representatives of CFHQ, TCHQ, Steelgas Ltd. Calgary and Station Gypsumville attending. Perimeter of a test to determine the combustion qualities of liquid propane were discussed and set down. Turbine #4 at Station Gypsumville was to be modified to allow an injection pump to supply liquid propane from two one thousand storage tanks to the turbine under an operating pressure of 500 pounds. Turbine #4 was to have the rotor, flame tubes, stator blades and fuel nozzles reconditioned at the Orenda plant to allow for a more conclusive test of liquid propane.

On 18 October 1964 the test was begun with CFHQ and Orenda representatives present. The test lasted for a period of four days, at which time a decision was reached by Mr. Boys and Lt. Colonel Warden of CFHQ to conclude it for the time being due to mechanical problems. During the test a light up on the fuel occurred but when the pressure of the propane to the turbine dropped off the unit ground to a halt, starved of fuel. On 18 Nov 1964 Orenda representatives began testing a newly designed "Smokeless Fuel Nozzle". The test was run with definite intervals of checking the nozzles for carbon build up. At first, they seemed to produce less smoke than the conventional ones but, as the test progressed the smoke increased. The test was finally abandoned with no definite conclusion reached.

In December 1964 at a conference held at ADCHQ, a decision was reached by ADC and CFHQ representatives to shut down the turbine units at Station Gypsumville and convert prime power to Manitoba Hydro. Arrangements were made immediately by ADC and Station personnel for the changeover which was completed Jan 65.

During the year, problems occurred with the waste heat boilers when they were not able to meet specifications and could not produce the required steam output for the station area. It was decided to install soot blowers on unit number one and test for any increase in steam output. On 7 May 1964 the soot blowers were installed and tests carried out by Foster Wheeler representatives. The steam output did increase but not to the extent that was expected, the soot built up on the boiler tubes was still quite evident. In October 1964 the first signs of boiler deterioration were observed and steps were taken locally to attempt a temporary fix. Unit number two finally failed in December 1964 on auxiliary fire when the metal ring between the throat and shell of the boiler burned through. Due to this failure, a decision was reached at unit level that auxiliary firing would be discontinued, all four units would be used as waste heat boilers to produce steam for unit heating until a means of obtaining a temporary heating plant were discussed. At that time, through conference with ADCHQ, two Canadian National Railways steam generators were obtained from Winnipeg as a temporary heating plant.
  1. Administration

    2. NIL

  2. Organization

    3. NIL

  3. Official Visits and Inspections
  1. 1 Feb – ADC Pre-OCI Evaluation Visit.
  2. 15 Feb – ADC OCI Visit (Technical and Operational Systems Evaluation)
  3. 4 Apr – ADC/SOCE Inspection.
  4. 6 May – AMC Radar Maintenance and Logistics Visit.
  5. 10 Jun – Medical Inspection.
  6. 17 Aug – DM Audit.
  7. 18 Aug – ADC/SOMSE Inspection.
  8. 26 Aug – G/C McNair, Deputy Commander of Duluth Sector visited the station.
  9. 20 Sep – ADC/PERS/ED Inspection.
  10. 22 Sep – Dental Facility Inspection.
  11. 29 Sep – ADC/PERS/AFSEC Inspection.
  12. 1 Oct – ADC/SOPA Food Services Inspection.
  13. 28 Oct – ADC/SOPA Inspection.
  14. 16 Nov – A/C Hull ADC Chief of Staff visit.
  15. 21 Nov – ADC SORA/RC and SORA/P visit.
  16. 25 Nov – ADC Firehall Inspection.
  1. Recreation

    2. NIL

  2. Public Relations
  1. On 28 Jan a tour of the site and a dinner were held to commemorate the Station’s first birthday. Twenty Eight local dignitaries attended, including Mr. Stefanson, MP and Mr. Guttormson, MLA.
  2. On 29 Jan a feature article on the station was published by the Winnipeg Free Press.
  3. On 26 Sep an Open House was held with approximately 1,000 people visiting the unit.

Signed by:

(GK Murray) W/C
Commanding Officer
RCAF Station Gypsumville
Manitoba