fubar57
General
User Name: fubar57
Name: George
Category: Advanced
Kit: Tamiya
Accessories: None
Pilots, including William H. McKenzie and Everett L. Baudoux, pose with a Gloster Meteor s/n EE311 at Ottawa, October 1945. Not sure if Jack Robert Ritch, the subject of my other 26GB is the third person in the photo but he was also one of the pilots during the trials.
In December 1945, EE311 was dismantled and shipped by rail to Edmonton for trials at the Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE). Baudoux, McKenzie and Ritch accompanied it. Only gradually was there an expansion of the circle of pilots who were checked out on it. Flight Lieutenant D.G.A.T. Cameron was reported as the pilot on April 4, 1946, and five more pilots flew it in May. As in Ottawa, the jet attracted many visitors; its first Edmonton flight was witnessed by local reporters. The WEE diary thereafter mentioned numerous trials, including "flame extinction tests" at various altitudes, when one engine would be shut down, then restarted. In its life at WEE, the aircraft flew 48 hours. EE311 came to an unfortunate end. Late in June 1946, McKenzie was detailed to fly it from Edmonton to Hamilton for an air show in the presence of the minister of National Defence. An improvised external fuel tank was rigged to extend the range, but it failed to work. McKenzie ran out of fuel and ditched in Helen Bay Lake, near Blind River, Ont., in late June 1946. On July 15, the WEE diary noted, "Committee of Adjustment appointed to deal with the effects and affairs of Flight Lieutenant McKenzie." Nevertheless, he had survived and for three weeks camped in the bush. He was finally rescued on July 25 and returned to jet test flying soon after.
Geo
Name: George
Category: Advanced
Kit: Tamiya
Accessories: None
Pilots, including William H. McKenzie and Everett L. Baudoux, pose with a Gloster Meteor s/n EE311 at Ottawa, October 1945. Not sure if Jack Robert Ritch, the subject of my other 26GB is the third person in the photo but he was also one of the pilots during the trials.
In December 1945, EE311 was dismantled and shipped by rail to Edmonton for trials at the Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE). Baudoux, McKenzie and Ritch accompanied it. Only gradually was there an expansion of the circle of pilots who were checked out on it. Flight Lieutenant D.G.A.T. Cameron was reported as the pilot on April 4, 1946, and five more pilots flew it in May. As in Ottawa, the jet attracted many visitors; its first Edmonton flight was witnessed by local reporters. The WEE diary thereafter mentioned numerous trials, including "flame extinction tests" at various altitudes, when one engine would be shut down, then restarted. In its life at WEE, the aircraft flew 48 hours. EE311 came to an unfortunate end. Late in June 1946, McKenzie was detailed to fly it from Edmonton to Hamilton for an air show in the presence of the minister of National Defence. An improvised external fuel tank was rigged to extend the range, but it failed to work. McKenzie ran out of fuel and ditched in Helen Bay Lake, near Blind River, Ont., in late June 1946. On July 15, the WEE diary noted, "Committee of Adjustment appointed to deal with the effects and affairs of Flight Lieutenant McKenzie." Nevertheless, he had survived and for three weeks camped in the bush. He was finally rescued on July 25 and returned to jet test flying soon after.
Geo
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