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Rotary Wings over the Arctic - The Diaries of HMCS Labrador’s Flight Operations, 1954-1957​
by Don MacNeil

ISBN: 978-1-7753409-4-2

Review as published in Vol 43 No 1 of Airforce Magazine June 2019
​
 by T.F.J. Leversedge 
posted June 2019

HMCS Labrador, Canada’s only naval (Wind-class) icebreaker, provided the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with a true Arctic ice capability and, from 1955 to 1957, it was the Canadian government’s most visible presence in the far North. A critical and under recognized element in Labrador’s success was its embarked helicopters consisting of the single-rotor Bell HTL-4 (Bell 47) and tandem-rotor Piasecki HUP-3 designs. By performing ice reconnaissance and performing numerous other utility missions, these early helicopter types enhanced the ship’s overall effectiveness, range, and impact. 
D-ring from Ian M Macdonald's Dad's parachute
Cover image – ​published by Mulroney Institute, St Francis Xavier University
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A Review
by
T.F.J. Leversedge

This volume is essentially a collection of the flight logs from those helicopter missions in chronological order. The daily narratives are brief and to the point, in standard military style. They are accompanied by tabular information that details the aircraft type, crew, passengers and mission. Although filled with technical jargon, the accompanying endnotes provide the requisite detailed explanations. Together, the logs, tables and accompanying photos provide a documentary snapshot of both early icebreaking and helicopter operations in the far North, over the three-year period of Labrador’s operations.

In one small example of the challenges of helicopter operations is provided by the narrative surrounding the loss of two HTL-4 Bell helicopters which crashed due to severe turbulence atop Peter Point, a 2,400 foot mountain (adjacent to the Grinnell Glacier), near Frobisher Bay on Baffin Island, stranding the two pilots and two civilian hydrographers on 26 July 1957. The first HTL-4 crashed and rolled over upon landing, caught by the downdrafts created by the nearby Grinnell Glacier. A second HTL-4 was diverted to the rescue and landed successfully but was caught in yet another downdraft during an attempted take-off and was slammed back down onto the mountain top leaving four stranded crew. The ship’s crew then scrambled to make a HUP-3 serviceable in time to effect a rescue and, after 24 hours of hectic operations, they were ultimately successful. The stripped airframes of both HTL-4’s remain on Baffin Island to this day.

The author, Don MacNeil, is the son of the late Lt (P) John A. MacNeil, CD, the helicopter detachment officer in charge onboard HMCS Labrador for her 1956 Arctic voyage. Don also served in the RCN from 1963 to 1966 onboard HMCS Columbia, Yukon and Ottawa and later worked for Pratt & Whitney Canada as a Stationary Engineer. The author’s narrative is made more insightful and accurate through the personal information available to Don through his father’s papers, photos and logbook and also from LCdr Robert T. Murray, who was also detachment commander onboard the Labrador.

The logs are further accompanied by biographies of the ship’s officer, charts and other background details, all of which contribute to an accurate portrayal of a unique chapter of Canadian Arctic operations. It will be interesting to see if the RCN’s latest class of vessels, the Arctic Offshore Patrol vessels ,will be able to come close to HMCS Labrador’s voyages in the North. Helicopters will again undoubtably figure in any success they may ultimately have in this regard. Bravo Zulu to Don MacNeil for ably documenting an almost forgotten chapter in Canadian military operations.

Download this book as a free PDF here.
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