Ferry Command Pilot
Words on Wings Press is excited to announce new editions of ALL NINE of Don McVicar’s exciting aviation memoirs as sleek and easy-to-read Kindle e-books.
This is the FIRST TIME these volumes are all available in the same format, known as the Streamlined Edition.
Fun fact about e-books; they are also searchable databases! Better than an index, simply type in the name of an airplane, person or place for the full value of the content to be revealed. This is a real boon to aviation historians and other aficionados of the numerous types of now-classic aircraft McVicar flew and wrote of so brilliantly.
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November, 1940: after Hitler’s Blitzkreig devastated Europe, Britain held out alone against the Nazis. North American factories were producing badly-needed warplanes in quantity, but how to get them over there? Nazi U-boats were decimating freighter convoys with great loss of life and cargo, including aircraft. Why not fly them across? It’s hard for those of us in the 21st century to believe it, but the stormy North Atlantic had rarely been flown in winter. It was considered suicidal to even try. Yet desperate times call for desperate measures. Ferry Command Pilot honors the unique but little known group which, beginning in November 1940, delivered almost 10,000 warplanes across the uncharted oceans, suffering losses comparable to losses in combat. Why did this brave group not become famous? Well, it had several names over the war years; it was comprised of both military and civilian personnel from several countries and military organizations. Best known as the Royal Air Force Ferry Command based in Montreal, Quebec, it evolved into No. 45 Group RAF Transport Command with headquarters in England.
The most important reason? This was a secret mission. So for almost 40 years, the story of Ferry Command was unknown to the public.
Ferry Command Pilot is told firsthand from the pilot’s seat by then-26-year-old Ferry Command Captain Don McVicar. A Canadian civilian pilot, he was unusual in that he was also a crack navigator and radio operator, skills that brought him and his crews back from many dangerous missions. He received the King’s Commendation and the Order of the British Empire for his valuable services in the air.
After a long turbulent career in Canadian aviation, Don McVicar gathered together his many logbooks, photographs, memories, and those of survivors with whom he had remained in touch, and wrote the first real book about the Royal Air Force Ferry Command. In 1981 Airlife published Ferry Command in hardcover, followed by North Atlantic Cat, A Change of Wings, Mosquito Racer and More Than A Pilot. His self-published A Railroad from the Sky, Distant Early Warning, and Through Cuba to Oblivion completed his acclaimed autobiographical aviation series. As of February, 2024, his entire series has been returned to the world!
In 1990, with Ferry Command sold out, no longer in print but in demand by his readers worldwide, he split it into its two natural halves, Ferry Command Pilot and South Atlantic Safari, which he self-published, printed-on-demand: revolutionary ideas in 1990! After writing hundreds of thousands of well-received words, he had the confidence to make these versions a bit juicier, truer to the wide-open spirit of a bush pilot from the Canadian West. He’s not afraid to tell a corny joke or to tell the truth about some of his rougher landings!
Most photos on this page are contained within Ferry Command Pilot. Please do not use any of them without permission.
The names below are the men who served in some aspect of the RAF Ferry Command and are who are mentioned in Ferry Command Pilot. The RAFFC was a secret organization, and somewhat ad hoc in its first year or so; some aircrew were “one-trippers” who were part of the crew delivering the aircraft to the U.K. but stayed to serve in their designated units. After the war, some records were lost or even destroyed. Consequently, Don McVicar’s books may be the only records of the service of many of these brave men. Since Ferry Command Pilot was republished in 2011, the descendants of some of them have reached out to us, hoping for some clues as to what they did in the war. The names below have been extracted from the book to honor their bravery.
Lest we forget.
Abbott, First Officer E.E.
Adams, Capt. Ralph
Affleck, Flight Engineer John
Alden, M.A.
Allen, Capt. R.
Allison, J.W.
Anderson, Donald
Andrew, A.
Ayre, Radio Officer Charles
Baillie, F.W.
Baillik, Sgt. (Czech) fighter pilot, “one-tripper”
Baker, Flight Engineer, A.W. “Bill”
Baughn, Capt. Charley
Bennett, Capt. D.C.T. “Don”
Bisson, Capt. Louis, KC
Bledsoe, J.D.
Blockley, Capt. Ted
Bowhill, Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick
Brown, copilot
Burke, Capt. Andy
Byars, G.J.
Byers, Capt.
Campbell, R.F.
Carveth H.
Charmoz, Capt. Jules
Chatel, Capt. Andre (Free French)
Clausewitz, E.F.
Colato, First Officer A.
Collins, Radio Officer Bill
Cornish, F.C.
Coughlin, F.W.
Cripps, S.T.B.
Dalton, Capt. Jack
Davidson, Capt. Walt
Dekantzow, S.H.
Dickins, “Punch” OBE, DFC
Ditton, Capt. Ted
Dixon, Bill
Dugan, Capt. D.J. “Jim”
Dunford, Eric
Evans, Capt. George P. OBE
Farley, Flight Lieutenant H.J.
Finch, A.
Fraser, J.R.
Garden, K.
Gentry, Capt. D.L.
Giles, J.E.
Gilhousen, A.
Godfrey, F.G.
Graham, F.L.
Gray, J.W.
Grey, Capt. Scotty
Griffiths, Sgt.
Gunn, Sgt. Bob
Herndon, Capt. Hugh
Hightower, Capt. Ed
Howard, J.
Hubacek, Sgt. (Czech), fighter pilot, “one-tripper”
Hunter, J.A.S.
Hunt, W.C.
Huston, Capt. Herb
Hutchison, G.R.
Jarvis, D.B.
Jedlund, Capt. Russ (Australia)
Johnsen, Radio-Navigator G.R. “Fred”
Jones, Squadron Leader, L.L. “Slim” RCAF
Jubb, N.
Jude, R.C.
King, A.M.
King, W.M.
Lange, Capt. Carl
Leeward, Capt. Al
Leroy, Capt. Bob
Leroy, R.S.
Lewis, copilot, “one-tripper”
Lilly, Capt. Al
Lockenbauer, Radio Officer “Locky”
Longhurst, Flight Lieutenant William “Bill”
Loughridge, A.M. “Al”
Lyons, W.B.
Mackay, D.
Mackay, Capt. J.C.
McGrail, Radio-Navigator John
McIntyre, J.D.
McVicar, Capt. Donald, KC, OBE
Meagher, Radio Officer C.P.
Mellor, W.T.
Merrill, Capt. Bud
Meyers, H.G.
Mitchell, F.
Moody, Capt. Humphrey
Moody, Capt. Hunter
O’Neill, Capt. John
Page, R.H.
Pangborn, Capt. Clyde
Parker, Capt. King
Parker, H.F.
Parkinson, Capt. J.T. “Jack”
Pearce, F.
Phoenix, Capt. Merrill
Pollock, Radio-Navigator Gerry
Powell, Group Captain Griffith “Taffy”
Pringle, Capt.
Raine, D.
Rector, Capt. Charlie
Reeves (aircrew)
Rennie, D.N.
Rodgers, W.C.
Ross, Capt. Carl
Ross, W.C.
Ross, Wing Commander Don, Senior Air Staff Officer
Rowe, Capt. Gene
Ruggles, Capt. Jack
Rush, Radio Officer Eric
Ryan, Flight Engineer Art
Schafer, Capt. Les
Schiller, Capt. Clarence A. “Duke”
Sharpe, Capt. Jack
Siple, Capt. Wallace “Wally”
Smith, Capt. Ian
Smith, Capt. T.G.
Smith, N.E.
Snailham
Spry, Radio Officer
Steen, N.
Store, A.G.
Swaney, Flight Engineer Gayle
Sweet, H.A.
Teel, Capt. Don
Tobin, Capt. Gilbert
Torrey, Capt. Al
Tripp, C.M.
VanDerKloot, Capt. William “Bill” CBE
Wakeman, Squadron Leader
Webber, J.A.
West, R.L.
Wilson, J.N.
Wheeler, Radio Officer Lloyd
Wightman, Radio Officer “Gordy”
Ferry Command Pilot came out in 2011 as an Amazon Kindle e-book; in 2015 as a paperback, also published on the Amazon Print-on-Demand platform. Due to the rich content of the book, an index was obviously needed. This was painstakingly prepared by editor Donna McVicar Kazo. We have decided to share this index online to facilitate searches by relatives and historians, many of whom have contacted us over the years, seeking any scrap of information on their father/grandfather/brother/uncle, etc.
It’s a bit tricky to place an index on a web page! But the information is too valuable not to give it a try, so please bear with how it might load and display on your device.
ANNOUNCEMENT, FEBRUARY 2024: With the publication of ALL NINE of Capt. McVicar’s books in the new Kindle Streamlined Edition, readers can now follow the careers of many of the aircrew on this page. As specified above, simply use the search function within each Kindle e-book. To purchase, please visit the Buy Now Page.
Index of paperback edition
(numbers in bold are illustrations or photographs)
A
Abbott, First Officer E.E., RAFFC: 120
Accra, Ghana, Africa: 145, 146
Adams, Captain Ralph: 10, 36
Adams, Wing Commander John (New Zealand) RAFFC: 180
Adcock radio range: 30 (See also navigation, radio range system)
Addeman, Spence, No. 2 Air Observer School: 8
Aden, Colony of (now Yemen): 145
aerodrome (see airfields)
Affleck, F/E John RAFFC: 150
Africa: 50, 146, 167, 174, 180
Air Force Cross/AFC: 154
Air Navigation, British Empire Edition: D.C.T. Bennett, author: 39
Air Almanac: 49
Airlife: 12, 14
Air Observer Schools (AOS): No. 1 AOS, Toronto, Ontario: 15; No. 2 AOS, Edmonton, Alberta: 7, 8, 16, 39, 40, 47, 171; No. 5 AOS, Winnipeg, Manitoba: 6
aircraft, American: (see Beech Aircraft Company; Bellanca; Boeing; Consolidated; Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company; Douglas Aircraft Company; Fokker; Ford; Lockheed; Martin Company; North American; Piper Aircraft Corporation; Taylorcraft Aviation; Rearwin Airplanes)
aircraft, British: (see Airspeed Ltd., Avro; Bristol Aeroplane Company; deHavilland; Hawker Aircraft Ltd.; Short Brothers; Supermarine Aviation Works)
aircraft, Canadian: (see Bristol Fairchild; Fleet Aircraft; Handley-Page; Noorduyn)
aircraft, German: (see Junkers)
airfields/airports/air bases/aerodromes: Abbotsinch airfield, England: 167; Aldergrove, Northern Ireland: 11, 139; Anacostia Naval Air Base, Washington, D.C.: 132, 139; Aston Down airfield, England: 172, 173; Ayr airfield, Scotland: 137; Bandung military airport, Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies: 50; Blatchford Field, Edmonton: 51; Brooks Field, Texas: 147; Canton Island Airport: 148, 149; Dorval, Quebec (see Dorval airport); Foynes, Republic of Ireland: 44, 177; Gander, Newfoundland (see Gander); Goose Bay, Labrador (see Goose); Hamilton Field, San Rafael, California: 147; Hickam Field, Honolulu, Hawaii: 148; Keflavik air base, Iceland: 137, 161; LaGuardia airport, New York City: 178; McClelland Field, California: 147; Prestwick, Scotland (see Prestwick); Renfrew airfield, England: 167; Reykjavik, Iceland: 118, 119, 126, 127, 137, 161; St. Hubert, Quebec: 6, 10, 12, 106, 166; Washington National Airport: 132; West Palm Beach, Florida: 50, 144; White Waltham airfield, England: 166. (See also Bluie, Crystal bases)
Airport Inn, Dorval: 14, 17, 18
Airspeed Ltd., Oxford, specific aircraft mentioned: DF340: 139; No. T1320: 167; EB690: 167
Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA): 164, 165-168, 172
Alberta, Blatchford Field, Edmonton: 51; Cheecham: 5; Edmonton: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 39, 51, 116
Alcock and Brown: 43 (refers to Capt. John Alcock and Lieut. Arthur W. Brown, who made the first nonstop aerial crossing of the Atlantic, 1919)
Alden, M.A. RAFFC: 10
Aldis lamp: 113
Allen, Capt. R. RAFFC: 10
Allison, J.W. RAFFC: 10
American Flyers Flying School: 5
American Navy (see United States Navy)
Amundsen, Roald: 57
Anderson, Donald RAFFC: 9
Andrew, A.: 10
Anson (see Avro Aircraft)
Antarctic: 54
anti-sub patrols: 118
Anzacs: 174
Arctic (see also Baffin Island, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, Greenland, Hudson Strait): 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 67, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 79, 81, 82, 85, 86, 90, 91, 94, 102, 104, 115, 117, 127, 129, 148, 152
Arctic High: 127
Army Air Services: 170
Arnold, Gen. H.H. “Hap,” USAAC: 53
astro-navigation (See navigation, astro/celestial)
ATA (See Air Transport Auxiliary)
Atlantic Ferrying Organization (ATFERO) (See Ferry Command)
Atlantic Ocean: 63, 102, 139, 140 (See also North Atlantic, South Atlantic)
Australia: 43, 145, 150; Cities: Brisbane: 150; Canberra: 150; Sydney: 150
aurora borealist, Northern Lights: 82, 115
automatic pilot: 111, 113, 116
“Automatic Rough:” 73, 96
Avro Aircraft (A.V. Roe & Company): Anson: 8, 12, 15, 17, 21, 23, 24, 59; Specific aircraft: Anson Mk 1 6048: 1, 2, 3, 8; Anson W1707: 167; Lancaster: 167; Lincoln: 167
Ayre, R/O Charles RAFFC: 148
Azores archipelago, North Atlantic: 44
B
B-17 Flying Fortress (See Boeing Company)
B-24 Liberator (See Consolidated Aircraft)
B-25 Mitchell (See North American Aircraft)
Baffin Island (See also Crystal weather stations): 52, 54, 70, 72, 73, 75, 94, 120, 128; Specific place names mentioned: Tessiquidudjak Lake: 92; Cumberland Mountains: 92; Cumberland Peninsula: 84, 85, 89, 128; Cumberland Sound: 76, 84, 92, 93; Frobisher Bay: 53, 54, 75, 81, 93, 95; Hall Peninsula: 84, 93; Kangeeak Point: 91; Kingnait Fjord: 92, 93; Kivitoo: 91; Lake Harbour: 72, 73; Padle Fjord: 92; Padloping Island: 53, 54, 81, 83, 85, 86, 90, 91; Pangnirtung: 54, 89, 90, 120, 127, 128; influenza epidemic: 89, 128; Penny Highlands: 90; Saddleback Island: 95
Baffinland (See Baffin Island)
Baillie, F. W. RAFFC: 56
Baillik, Sgt. (Czech) fighter pilot “one tripper:” 111
Baker, F/E Albert William “Bill” RAFFC: 55, 56, 59, 61-63, 67-69, 71-73, 76-81, 88, 89, 92, 93, 97, 98, 100, 109, 112, 113, 116-118, 125
Balchen, Col. Bernt, DFC USAAC: 37, 115, 127
Baltimore, Maryland: 132, 178
Bangalore, India: 50, 145
barnstormer: 19, 21, 147
barrage balloons: 173
Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies: 50
Battle of Britain: 45, 52
Battle of the Atlantic: 121
Battle of the Coral Sea: 168
Battle of the Eastern Solomons: 168
Baughn, Capt. Charley RAFFC: 144
Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean: 50
Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean: 102
BE2: (See Bluie East Two)
Bear-Paw skis: 60, 63, 67, 75
Beaufort night fighter/Beaufighter: 176
Beaverbrook, Lord, (Wm. Maxwell “Max” Aitken) Minister of Aircraft Production: 9, 45
Beech Aircraft Company: general, 21, 65; Staggerwing 147
Belem, Brazil: 146
Bellanca: 36, 145
Bendix radio equipment: TA-2J Liaison transmitter; RH1-B receiver: 110
Bennett, Capt., later Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall RAFFC: xvi, 10-12, 39, 43-45, 139, 175; Mercury and Maia Mayo composite mail plane program: 44-45; author, The Complete Air Navigator
Bermuda: 11
Birch, Ted, No. 2 AOS: 8
Bisson, Captain Louis: 42, 51, 52, 54-64, 66-68, 70, 72-78, 80-88, 98, 101-104, 111, 114, 115, 119, 122-134, 136, 137, 141
Black Horse Ale: 20
Bledsoe, J.D. RAFFC: 9
Blissville, New Brunswick: 42
Blitz, London, England: 174, 175
Blockley, Capt. Ted RAFFC: 156, 159, 161, 171
Bluie weather bases, Greenland: Bluie East Two (BE2): 53, 127; Bluie West Eight (BW8): 53, 86, 87, 111-114, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 126, 127, 158, 160; Bluie West One (BW1): 53, 66, 86, 87, 102, 111, 122, 123, 129, 137, 158, 163, 169
BOAC (British Overseas Airway Corporation): 35, 42, 44, 45, 123, 126, 134, 139, 140, 143, 168
BOAC Return Ferry Service: 14, 34, 35, 123, 126, 134, 139-141, 143, 168, 172
Board of Inquiry: 79
Boeing Aircraft Company: Model 247, 15; B-17 Flying Fortress: xvii, 11, 124, 135, 135, 147; specific aircraft: B-17 FK162: 135
Bollingbroke (See Bristol Aeroplane Company)
Bomber Command (See Royal Air Force Bomber Command)
Bombing and Gunnery School No. 4 at Fingal, Ontario: 46
Botwood, Newfoundland: 177
Bougainvillea, Solomon Islands: 150
Bowhill, Chief Air Marshal Sir Frederick RAF/FC: 12, 35, 45, 55, 101, 102, 102, 131
Brintnell, Leigh, Mackenzie Air Service: 6
Bristol Aeroplane Company: Beaufort night fighter (Beaufighter): 176; Fairchild Bolingbroke No. 9072: 46
British Air Ministry: 131, 143
British Columbia: 6; Cranbrook: 6; Vancouver: 148; Victoria: 6
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP): xvii, 7
British Overseas Airways: 11, 14
British Overseas Airways Return Ferry Service: 34
British Purchasing Commission: 22
Brown, copilot: 171, 172
Brown, Capt. Arthur Roy, DSC: 7
buckshee: 46
Burbidge, Maurice “Moss:” 5
Burke, Captain Andy RAFFC: 50, 147
Burns, Robbie (poet): 164
bush pilots: 54
Button Islands N.W.T. (now Nunavut): 129
Buxton, Capt. Sam, BOAC Return Ferry Service: 134, 139
BW1 (See Bluie West One)
BW8 (See Bluie West Eight)
Byars, G.J. RAFFC: 10
Byers, Capt. RAFFC: 151
Byrd, Admiral Richard: 57
C
C-47 (See Douglas Aircraft Company)
Cabot Strait, Newfoundland: 177
Cairo, Egypt: 180
California: 43, 45; Burbank: 22; Los Angeles: 5; Mines Field, Los Angeles: 5; San Diego: 37, 109, 147; San Francisco: 150, 171; San Rafael: 147
Campbell, R.F. RAFFC: 10
Canadian Airways: 7
Canadian National Railways Continental Limited: 8, 12
Canadian Pacific Air Services: xvii, 10
Canadian Prairies: 46
Cannon, Christianna: xv
Canso (See Consolidated Aircraft Corporation)
Captain-Navigator: 39, 41
Captain-Navigator rating, RAFFC: 39, 41
Care, Bob and Jan: xiv
Care, Capt. Fred RAFFC: xiv
Caribbean: 50
Carlisle, Capt.: 166
Carveth, H. RAFFC: 9
Cassiopeia, Short Empire flying boat G-ADUX: 44
Catalina: xi, xv, 112, 115
Catalina flying-boat (See Consolidated Aircraft Corporation)
Caterpillar: 81
Ceylon: 145
Charmoz, Capt. Andre (Free French) RAFFC: 144, 144
Churchill, Prime Minister Sir Winston: xv, 50, 121, 122
Civil Air Patrol: 147
Clausewitz, E.F. RAFFC: 10
Clayton Knight Committee: 11
Cloutier, Madame: 60, 62
Coastal Command (See Royal Air Force Coastal Command)
Cochrane, Jackie (Jacqueline): 166
Colato, F/O A. RAFFC: 120
Collins, R/O Bill: 42
Cologne, Germany: 176
Colonial Airlines: 168, 178
compass (See also navigation; magnetic compass): 59, 67, 72, 77, 96
compass swinging: 59, 111
Complete Air Navigator, The: D.C.T. Bennett, author: 39
cone of silence: 30
Congressional Medal of Honor: 171
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation: 147; Catalina PBY-5/Canso: 11, 102, 103, 108-115, 129, 130, 132, 141, 154; Specific aircraft: Canso No. FP533 109-119; Coronado PBY-2: 151; B-24 Liberator, general: 11, 12, 14, 34, 35, 42, 47, 49, 108, 109, 114, 119, 121, 124, 125, 126, 130, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 139, 140, 141, 143, 147, 156-161, 163, 164, 168, 177; Specific aircraft: AL504 Commando: xv; AL537: 42; No. 11906: 123; No. 11108: 132; AL528: 134; AE638: 136; AL962: 139, 143; AL514 The Swagman: 150; AL578 Marco Polo: 120: Marvellous Minnie: 150; AE57 (LB30, “Liberator-British”): 156-161, 158, 163
Continental engine: 21
Coote, Ginger, No. 2 AOS: 8
Cormack, Bill, No. 2 AOS: 8
Cormorant, US Navy vessel: 54
Cornish, F.C. RAFFC: 10
Cote de Liesse, Montreal: 147
Coughlin, F. W. RAFFC: 10
Coutinho, Admiral (Portugese Navy): 43
Coyne, Ab, No. 2 AOS: 8
cribbage: 91
Crimson Route/Crimson Route Project: 54, 109, 120, 130, 141, 143, 156
Cripps, Capt. Trevor: 141
Cripps, S.T.B. RAFFC: 10
Crowell, Maj. John T. USAAF: 54, 75, 76, 81, 84, 94
“Crystal Cure:” 80
“Crystal Minus One:” 70, 79
“Crystal Minus Two:” 74, 79
Crystal weather bases, general: 53, 54, 55, 64, 66, 67, 69, 72, 75-77; Crystal One: 54, 71, 94, 95, 96; Crystal Three: 54, 76, 81, 85, 90, 91, 128, 148; Crystal Two: 54, 72, 81, 92, 93, 95, 122, 128
“Crystal Zero:” 58.213N 64.26W: 69
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company: NC-4: 43
D
Dalton, Capt. Jack RAFFC: 171, 172
Dalton flight computer: 19, 29
Davidson, Capt. Walt RAFFC: 144, 150
Davis, Lieutenant William V. Jr., navigator of Woolaroc: 43
Davis Strait: 54, 85, 93, 113, 123, 128
DC-3 (See Douglas Aircraft Company)
Debert, Nova Scotia: 42
Decatur, Illinois: 21
December 7, 1941: 142
deHavilland Aircraft Company: Moth: 5; Moth G-CYYG: 51
de-icing devices: 111, 113
Dekantzow, S.H. RAFFC: 10
de la Porte, Lieutenant Andre: 145
Denmark Strait: 117, 127
Dept. of Transport, Canadian (DOT): xvii, 11, 64, 65, 82, 111
Depression (Great): 5, 43
d’Erlanger, Gerard: 165
Detroit, Michigan: 42
Dickins, Clennell Haggerston “Punch” OBE, DFC RAFFC: xvi, xvii
Distinguished Flying Cross/DFC: 154
Distinguished Service Order/DSO: 175
Ditton, Capt. Ted RAFFC: 145, 148
Dixon, Bill RAFFC drift reader: 59
Doenitz, Admiral Karl: 121
Dole Race of 1927: 43
Doolittle, Lt.-Gen. James “Jimmy” USAAF: 171
Dorval airport, Montreal Quebec: 9, 12, 13, 13, 18, 22, 30, 31, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 58, 59, 60, 76, 82, 83, 88, 98, 105, 106, 111, 112, 113, 120, 126, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 140, 146, 148, 150, 159, 162, 163, 168, 171, 178; runway 10: 31; runway 28: 24
DOT (See Department of Transportation, Canadian)
Douglas Aircraft Company: Boston: 131; C-47: 129; DC-3: 129, 178
Dugan, Capt. D.J. “Jim” RAFFC: 9, 150
Dunford, Eric RAFFC: 157
Dunn, Flt. Ltnt. RAF: 139
Durrell, W.H. “Bill:” 64, 65
Dutch, naval pilots: 47, 48, 49, 50; Dutch aircraft in Java: 145, 150
Dutch East Indies (See also Java): 47, 49
Dyck, Dave, No. 2 AOS: 8
Dyer, Capt. James Glenn, USAAC: 54, 86, 89, 90, 91
E
Edmonton and Northern Alberta Flying Club: 5
Egypt: 180
Elementary Flying Training School: 155
elevator trim tab: 26
engine checkout: 25
England: 1, 13, 44, 165; Abbotsinch airfield: 167; Aston Down airfield: 172, 173; Birmingham: 173; Blackpool: 139; Bournemouth: 45, 177; Bristol: 172; Cirencester: 172; Cotswold Hills: 173; Hawarden: 167; Isle of Man: 139; Leicester: 167; Lichfield: 166; London: 104, 121, 142, 172, 174, 177; Liverpool: 173; Manchester: 173; Poole seaplane base: 45, 177; Renfrew airfield: 167; Silloth: 139, 167; Stroud: 172
ersatz food: 165
Esler, R/O Donald: 42
Evans, Capt. George P. OBE RAFFC: 46, 56, 60, 66, 85, 86, 87, 88, 96, 97, 98, 101-104, 106, 108, 109, 111, 112, 114, 119, 120, 122, 123, 125, 127-129, 131, 132-134, 136, 137, 151, 165
Eves, Capt. G.P.M. “Pat” RAFFC: 9
F
Fairbanks, Douglas Jr.: 16, 36
Fairchild Aircraft Company: 24; HM: 167
Farley, F/Lt. H.J. RAFFC: 120
Ferry Command (Royal Air Force); 1940, organized by Canadian Pacific Air Services/Imperial Airways: xvii; 1941, May, British Ministry of Aircraft Production: xvii; 1941, May, Atlantic Ferrying Organization (ATFERO): 11, 12; 1941, July, RAF Ferry Command general: 4, 7, 11, 12, 13 14, 17, 20, 22, 24, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 46, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 58, 64, 65, 87, 89, 100, 101, 103, 106, 107, 113, 119, 127, 129, 131, 132, 133, 136, 139, 140, 142, 147, 150, 152, 153, 154, 159, 162, 163, 175, 176, 178; 1943, April, No. 45 Group RAF Transport Command: xvii. Specific mentions: Dunford, Eric RAFFC Chief of Field Ops, Dorval: 157; Civilian Flight Training, Dorval: 21; Crew Assignments, Dorval: 143, 156, 170; Field Operations: 106; Flight Test: 179
Ferry Command, (1981) Don McVicar, author: xiii
Ferry Command Pilot, (1990), Don McVicar, author: xiii, xiv, xv, xvi
Fiji: 150
Finch, A. RAFFC: 9
First Class Air Navigators Certificate: 39
First World War (See World War One)
Fleet Aircraft Company; unspecified biplane, Kinner engine: 6
Fletcher, George, No. 2 AOS: 8
Florida: 50 (See also West Palm Beach)
“Flying Fortress” (See North American Aircraft, B-17)
Flying the Secret Sky, film by Wm. VanDerKloot III: xv
Fokker; Super-Universal: 5
Ford Hotel, Montreal: 153
Ford Aircraft; Trimotor: 5
Forrester, Norm: 4, 8
Foynes, Republic of Ireland: 44, 177
Frank, George No. 2 AOS: 8
Fraser, Admiral Sir Bruce, Commander of British Pacific Fleet: 149
Fraser, J.R. RAFFC: 9
Freetown, Sierra Leone: 50
Frigid Fires, painting by Donna McVicar Kazo of Capt. McVicar’s Canso FP533 over Greenland: cover, xv
Frobisher Bay (See Baffin Island)
Fry, Morris, No. 2 AOS: 8
G
Gander, Newfoundland: 9, 10, 11, 12, 45, 53, 53, 64, 65, 103, 113, 115, 129, 131, 132, 134, 157, 158
Garden, K. RAFFC: 10
Gatty (See Post and Gatty)
Gentry, Capt. D. L. RAFFC: 10, 151
Germany, at war with: 50, 53, 121, 146, 154, 156; breakthrough into France, 1940: 165; Battleships: Bismarck: 102; Ostfriesland: 170; Tirpitz: 175. (See also U-boats)
Gertrude L. Thebaud, schooner: 54
Gibraltar, Straits of: 167
Gilbert and Ellice Islands: 149
Giles, J.E. RAFFC: 10
Gilhousen, A. RAFFC: 9
Godfrey, F.G. RAFFC: 9
Golden Age of Aviation: xiii
Goose Bay, Labrador: 53, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65-66, 67, 68, 87, 94, 96, 97, 98, 103, 111, 112, 115, 118, 119, 120, 123, 126, 129, 131, 133, 134, 158, 172
Graham, F.G. RAFFC: 10
Gray, J.W. RAFFC: 10
Great Britain (See also England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland): 164, 165
Great Circle course: 43, 123, 160
Greenland (See also Bluie weather bases): cover; 53, 54, 55, 66, 76, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 94, 102, 103, 104, 111, 113, 114, 115, 118, 119, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 132, 158, 139, 162, 163, 168, 170; Specific place names: Angmagssalik: 53, 127; Narssarssuaq Fjord: 53, 87, 158; Simiutak Island: 158; Sondrestrom Fjord: 53, 114, 127
Grey, Capt. Scotty RAFFC: 151
Grieve, Kenneth Mackenzie: 43
Griffiths, Sgt. RAFFC: 80
Guam: 37
Gunn, Capt. Bob RAFFC: 144
H
Halifax bomber (See Handley-Page Limited)
Halifax, Nova Scotia: 13, 106, 154
Hamilton Standard propellers: 49
Hampden (See Handley-Page Limited)
ham (amateur) radio: 39
Handley-Page Limited: Halifax: 50, 165, 167, 175; Hampden, specific aircraft: AN148, 105; P5336, 106
Harvard (See North American Aircraft)
Harvard University: 66
Hawaii: 37, 147, 148 (See also Pearl Harbor, airfields, Hickam Field
Hawker Aircraft Ltd.: Hurricane: 113
Hawker and Grieve: 43; refers to Harry Hawker and navigator Kenneth Grieve’s failed transAtlantic attempt, 1919
HBC (See Hudson’s Bay Company)
“Hedgehog,” The, Short Sunderland flying boat: 177
Heering, Ed: 165
Herndon, Capt. Hugh RAFFC: 145
Hickam Field, Honolulu, Hawaii: 148
High-Tempered Member of Parliament Flaps His Gills and Gasses, Ugh: 166
Hightower, Capt. Ed RAFFC: 144
Hill, Ab, No. 2 AOS: 8
Hilton, James, author Lost Horizon: 171
Hindle (New Zealand): 136
Hitler, Adolf: 9, 121, 142
Hodgin, Bill, No. 2 AOS: 8
Hodgson, R/O: 17
Holdridge, Frank, No. 2 AOS: 8
Holley carburetor: 172
Hong Kong: 37
Howard, J. RAFFC: 9
Howe, C.D. “Minister of Everything:” 64
Hubacek, Sgt. (Czech), fighter pilot, “one-tripper:” 111
Hubbard, Lt.Col. Charles, USAAC: 54, 58, 66-68, 70-72, 76, 78, 79, 81, 83, 85-88, 98, 103, 130
Hudson (See Lockheed Aircraft Corporation)
Hudson River: 44
Hudson’s Bay: 82, 83
Hudson’s Bay Company: 60, 64, 71, 79, 89, 97
Hudson Strait: 72, 73, 82, 129
Hunter, J.A.S. RAFFC: 10
Hunt, W.C. RAFFC: 10
Hurricane (See Hawker Aircraft Ltd.)
Huston, Captain Herb RAFFC: 41, 42
Hutchison, G. R. RAFFC: 10
I
Iceland (See also Reykjavik, Kevlafik) 53, 54, 103, 104, 115, 117, 118, 119, 122, 126, 127, 137, 160, 161, 168, 172
Imperial Airways: xvii, xviii, 44
India: 50, 145, 147
Inuit “The People” called Eskimos during this time period: 94, 95
Ireland: 11, 43, 44, 45, 139, 177
Irish Sea: 177
Irwin, Art No. 2 AOS: 8
J
Jackson, Mississippi: 150
James, R/O George: 42
Jamieson, Don, No. 2 AOS: 14, 7, 8
Japan/Japanese: 36, 37, 47, 49, 50, 142, 145, 146, 148, 149, 150
Japan, Tokyo, B-25 Doolittle attack April 18, 1942: 170
Japanese Imperial Fleet: 148, 149
Jarvis, D.B. RAFFC:
Java, Dutch East Indies: 50, 51, 142, 144, 145, 151
Jedlund, Capt. Russ (Australia) RAFFC: 145
Jeffs, Wing Commander “Jimmy” RAF: 120, 121, 134, 161-165
Johanneson, George, No. 2 AOS: 8
Johnsen, Radio-Nav. G.R. “Fred” RAFFC: 56
Johnson Bar: 23, 24
Jones, Squadron Ldr. L.L. “Slim” RCAF RAFFC: 144, 153-155
Jubb, N. RAFFC: 10
Jude, R.C. RAFFC: 10
Junkers aircraft, general: 175; F-13: 51; Ju88: 173
K
Kazo, Donna McVicar: xv
KDKA Pittsburgh: 4
Kelly, Kevin RCAF: 35, 36, 50, 155, 156
Kennedy, Dave, No. 2 AOS: 8
Khartoum, Sudan: 145
King, A.M. RAFFC: 80
King, W.M. RAFFC: 9
King’s Commendation: 141
KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V., Royal Dutch Airlines): 145
Krauter, Al, pilot ATA: 165, 166
L
Labrador (See also Goose Bay, Gander, Newfoundland): 54, 63, 64, 65, 67, 131, 140; Grenfell Mission: 64; Hamilton River: 63; Lake Melville: 64, 66; Mealy Mountains: 63; Northwest River: 64
Lane, pilot, ATA: 167
Lange, Capt. Carl RAFFC: 31, 144
Latham, Gordon No. 2 AOS: 8
LB-30 “Liberator-British” (See Consolidated Aircraft Corporation)
Leeward, Capt. Al RAFFC: 106, 108, 132, 135
Lend-Lease: xvii
Leroy, Capt. Bob RAFFC: 144
Leroy, R.S. RAFFC: 10
Lewis, co-pilot, “one-tripper:” 133
Liberator B-24 (See Consolidated Aircraft Corporation)
“Liberator-British” (See Consolidated Aircraft Corporation)
Lilly, Capt. Al RAFFC: xviii, 17, 56, 136
Lindbergh, Anne Morrow: 43
Lindbergh, Charles: 43
Link Simulator Trainer/Ed Link: 15, 16, 27
Littlejohn, Doug No. 2 AOS: 8
Lockenbauer, R/O “Locky” RAFFC: 151
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation aircraft: general: 10, 12, 15, 22, 23, 29; factory, Burbank, California: 45; Hudson bomber: xvii, 9-14, 16, 22-31, 36, 37, 38, 39-42, 45, 46, 49, 55, 60, 64, 66, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 102, 106, 107, 108, 115, 120, 131-33, 135, 136, 138, 139, 141, 156, 165, 166, 167,175; Specific aircraft: Hudson AE566: 27; Hudson 477: 165; Hudson BW406: 42; Hudson BW410: 133; Hudson BW463: 46; Hudson FH342: 133; Hudson FH432: 167; Hudson FP388: 136; Hudson III 9223: 40-41; Lodestar: 145, 146; Model 14 airliner: 22; P-38 fighter: 130; Ventura AE738: 135
Longhurst, F/L William “Bill” RAFFC: 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 107
Lorenz blind landing beam course: 139
Lost Horizon, novel, James Hilton, author: 171
Loughridge, Radio-Nav. A. M. “Al” RAFFC: 10, 144, 145
Lyons, W. B. RAFFC: 10
M
MacArthur, Gen. Douglas: 150, 170
Macdonald, Capt. (Australian): 150
MacDonald, Malcolm, British High Commissioner to Canada: 140
Mackay, D. RAFFC: 80
Mackenzie Air Service: 6
Mackenzie River: 51
Mackey, Capt. Joseph C. RAFFC: 9
MacLeod, F/E: 157, 158, 161
Madame Gaby: 37
Madame Zee Zee’s: 146
magnetic compass (See navigation)
Maia, Short Empire flying boat: 44
Maiduguri, Nigeria: 145
Maintenance Units, Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA): 165
Malaysia: 145
Malta, Island of: 167, 168
Manila, Philippines: 37
Manitoba (See also Winnipeg): 3
Manning Pool (RCAF/RAF): 155
Marauder (See Martin Company)
Marconi Radio/radio: 11, 96, 106 (See also navigation, radio range)
Maritime Bar, Ritz Hotel: 153
Marix, Air Vice Marshal Reginald: 17
Martin Company (Glenn L. Martin): B-26 Marauder: 149, 179; specific aircraft: FK111, 179
Marvellous Minnie (B-24 Liberator): 150
Maryland: 178 (See also Baltimore)
Mayo composite aircraft program: 44
May, Wilfred R. “Wop” No. 2 AOS: 7, 8, 21
McClelland, Don: 129
McConachie, Grant: 5
McGrail, Radio-Nav John RAFFC: 150
McGrath, F/L Tim: 129
McHaffie, Roy No. 2 AOS: 8
McInnis Fish Company: 5
McIntyre, J. D. RAFFC: 10
McKee Trophy: 5
McLean, icebreaker: 64
McNamara Construction Company: 64
McTaggart-Cowan, P.D. “McFog” RAFFC: 129
McVicar, Captain Donald Moore, KC, OBE, RAFFC: xiii, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii; amateur radio call at 18, VE4PH: 5, 148; American Flyers Flight School, Mines Field, Los Angeles, job as line boy: 5-6; American private pilot’s license: 6; Airport Traffic Controller Licence No. 9, attended first course ever given, awarded March 26, 1940: 6; Arctic/Crimson Route exploration with Capt. L. Bisson, Col. Charles Hubbard, F/E Bill Baker, Capt. George Evans, Feb.-Mar. 1942: 51-100; B-25 Mitchell delivery, FL210, first to U.K. for RAF, April 1942: 171-174; Canadian Dept. of Transport radio operator, Trans-Canada Airway, based at Cranbrook B.C., 1938: 6; Canadian Private Pilot’s Licence, earned 1936 at Edmonton and Northern Alberta Flying Club: 5; Captain-Navigator, qualified as: 41; Chief of first aircraft traffic control tower in western Canada (Winnipeg): 6; Crimson Route East delivery of Canso FP533, first aircraft flight ever over the icecap from west Greenland to Iceland/UK, March 1942: 109-120; early life: 4-8; Limited Commercial Pilot Certificate No. C-1658, Dec. 4, 1939: 6, 15; Mackenzie Air Service, radio operator: 6; McInnis Fish Company, first job, radio operator at Cheecham, Alberta: 5; No. 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, Alberta: 1-4, 8; Royal Air Force Ferry Command, arrived Dorval to join, Nov. 1941: 8-18; Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, Leading Telegraphist: 5, 6, 132, 148; Second Class and First Class Radiotelegraph Licences at Victoria, British Columbia, 1938: 6
McVicar, Gordon: iv
Meagher, R/O C.P. RAFFC: 120
Mediterranean: 168
Mellor, W.T. RAFFC: 10
Melville Sound (Canadian Arctic): 129
Memphis, Tennessee: 147
Mercury, float plane: 44
Merrill, Captain Bud RAFFC: 34, 144, 145
meteorology: 20, 112, 122-123
Meyers, H.G. RAFFC: 10
Michigan: 42
Midledge, Pete: 62
Midway Atoll/Island: 37
Millinocket, Maine: 40, 41, 42, 106
Mines Field, Los Angeles: 5
Ministry of Aircraft Production: xvii
Mississippi: 150
Missouri: 46
Mitchell B-25 twin-engine bomber (See North American Aircraft)
Mitchell, F. RAFFC: 10
Mitchell, Gen. W.L. “Billy:” 170, 173, 174
Moncton, New Brunswick: 108
Montreal, Quebec (See also Dorval, Mount Royal Hotel, Piccadilly Club): 7, 8, 10, 11, 20, 31, 33, 34, 37, 38, 41, 44, 46, 47, 48, 90, 98, 140, 153, 156, 158; Cote de Liesse: 147; Ford Hotel: 153; Tic-Toc nightclub: 153; Queen’s Hotel: 153; Ritz Hotel: 153; Royal Victoria Hospital: 120; Windsor Hotel: 153
Montreal Star, The: 33, 156
Moody, Capt. Humphrey RAFFC: 21, 21
Moody, Capt. Hunter RAFFC: xviii, 21, 21-31, 46, 105, 109, 110, 135, 179, 180, 181
Morse code: 59, 82 (See also navigation; radio range system)
Mosely, Capt. Zack: 147
Mount Everest: 146
Moth, de Havilland: 20, 21
Mount Royal Hotel: 20, 33, 34, 106, 142, 144, 152, 153 (See also Piccadilly Club)
Mullett, N.G. RAFFC: 10
mutiny: 71
N
Nandi, Fiji: 150
Natal, Brazil: 50, 145
navigation: 19, 29; astro/celestial: 17, 39, 40, 43, 110, 111, 113, 116, 122, 133, 134; dead reckoning: 113, 116; radio (low-frequency radio range system or LFR): Adcock, 30; 39-44, 106, 119, 131, 132, 139, 168; magnetic compass: 54, 59, 66, 67, 72, 84, 93, 95, 96, 97, 98, 111, 179
New Brunswick: 42, 108
Newfoundland: 9, 11, 177 (See also Goose Bay, Gander, Labrador)
Newkirk, Capt. Ed RAFFC: 145
New York/New York City: 11, 43, 44, 177
New Zealand: 180
Nicholls, Mr. & Mrs. Stewart, Hudson’s Bay Company factor, Ft. Chimo, Koksoak River: 71, 72, 97
No.1 Air Observer School, Toronto, Ontario: 15
No. 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, Alberta: 7, 8, 39, 40, 47
No. 3 Air Observer School, Regina, Saskatchewan: 20
No. 4 Ferry Pool (ATA), Prestwick, Scotland: 165
No. 5 Air Observer School, Toronto, Ontario: 6
No. 14 Elementary Flying School, Winnipeg, Manitoba: 6
No. 31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia: 42
No. 45 Group RAF Transport Command (See Ferry Command)
Noorduyn Aircraft Limited, Norseman: 52, 54-56, 58, 59, 61-64, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 77, 78, 79, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 90, 92, 95, 97, 98, 99, 101, 115, 128, 130, 133, 155. Norseman 2477: 58,59, 81, 88, 97-100; Norseman 2478: 58, 59, 61, 62; crash, 77-79, 78, 79, 82, 88
Noorduyn, Robert: 77
Normandie Roof, Mount Royal Hotel: 34, 153
North American Aircraft: B-25 Mitchell: 49, 49, 51, 52, 108, 144-151, 153, 170, 173, 179; Doolittle raid on Tokyo: 170-171; Ferry Command delivery to Java: 49-50, 51, 144-151. Specific aircraft: FL210, first B-25 delivered to UK: 172-174; No. 112-440: 108; No. 112-442: 147; No. 112-472: 147. Harvard trainer (T-6): 166
North Atlantic: 9, 11, 23, 44, 45, 52, 121, 122, 129, 142, 146, 161 (See also Atlantic, South Atlantic)
Northeast Airlines: 129
Northern Alberta Railroad; 5
Northern Ireland: 165
Northern Lights (See aurora borealis)
Northwest Airlines: 6
Northwest Passage: 58, 72
Northwest Territories, Canada (now Nunavut): 82. (See also Arctic, Baffin Island)
Norway: 154, 175
Nottingham Island, Hudson Strait: 83
Nova Scotia: 42
Nunavut (See Northwest Territories, Baffin Island, Arctic)
N.W.T. Northwest Territories, Canada (now Nunavut) (See also Arctic, Baffin Island)
O
Oakes, Ralph No. 2 AOS: 8
Oberdorf, Capt. George, RAFFC: 144
Observer, The: 162
Odlum, Floyd: 166
Oliver, R/O: 46
O’Neill, Capt. John RAFFC: 19, 20, 21, 31, 33-37, 144, 147, 148
“one-tripper:” 111, 133,136
Ontario: 8. (See also Ottawa, Toronto)
Operational Training Unit, RAF/RCAF: 155
Orangefield Hotel, Prestwick airfield, Ayrshire, Scotland (see also Prestwick airfield): 119, 121, 137, 162, 167, 168
Orange River, South Africa: 44
Ottawa, Ontario: 29, 30, 40, 65
P
Pacific Ocean: 153
Paddington Station, London, England: 174
Page, R.H. RAFFC: 9
Pan American Airways (Pan Am, PAA): 145, 146; Pan Am Clipper: 37; Pan Am Ferries: 35
Pangborn, Captain Clyde RAFFC: 36, 37, 145, 154
Parker, Carol (Mrs. King): 34
Parker, H.F. RAFFC 9
Parker, Capt. King RAFFC: 34, 144
Parkinson, Capt. J.T. “Parky/”Indian Jack” RAFFC: 20-27, 23, 29-31, 35-37, 153-156, 154
PB-Y2 (See Consolidated Aircraft Corporation)
Peacock, Capt., pilot, Boeing Clipper G-AGCA: 177
Pearce, F. RAFFC: 9
Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii: 37, 49, 91, 148 (See also airbases, Hickam Field)
Pennsylvania Central Airlines: 178
Per Ardua Ad Astra, A Story of the Atlantic Air Ferry narrative by Air Commodore Griffith Powell: xiv
Phoenix, Capt. Merrill RAFFC: 42, 145
Piccadilly Club, The “Pic” in the Mount Royal Hotel, Montreal: 20, 47-49, 125, 141, 142, 153, 163
Pilot’s Handling Notes, B-25: 172
Piper Aircraft Corporation: Cub: 110
Polaris: 134
Pollock, Radio-Nav. Gerry RAFFC: 56, 86, 96
Post and Gatty; refers to Wiley Post and his navigator, Harold Gatty and their around-the-world flight, 1930: 43
Potomac River, Washington D.C.: 132, 133
Powell, (later Air Commodore) Group Capt. Griffith J. “Taffy” RAF/FC: xiv, xvi, xvii, xviii, 52, 55, 101, 102, 103, 104, 106, 108, 126, 131-134, 132, 136, 142, 143, 157, 158, 168, 179
Prairie Airways: 21, 55
Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines: 56, 98, 118
Presque Isle, Maine: 53, 98, 129
Prestwick airfield, Scotland: 4, 11, 34, 35, 103, 104, 119, 120, 123, 125, 126, 127, 131, 134, 137, 139, 156, 159, 160, 161, 165, 167, 170, 172
Prestwick Return Ferry Service Liberator crashes, 1941: 4, 147
Pringle, Capt. RAFFC: 31
Privencal, pilot, ATA: 167
Q
Quebec, Province of, general: 6, 61, 62, 140, 141 (see also Montreal; Dorval; Crystal One) Specific place names mentioned: Cape Hope’s Advance: 72, 95, 96; Cartierville: 58; Deception Bay: 72; Fort Chimo: 53, 54, 60, 71, 95, 96; George River: 70; Koksoak River: 54, 71, 95; Koroksuakh Brook: 70; Lac Rapide: 60; Leaf Lakes: 96; Natashquan River: 63; Seven Islands: 60, 63; Pointe Claire: 151; St. Hubert airport: 6, 10, 12, 106, 166; St. Lawrence River: 44, 60, 63, 140, 143; Three Rivers: 140; Ungava Bay: 54, 70, 71, 72, 95, 143
Quebecaire: 65
Quebec Airways: 62
Queen’s Hotel, Montreal: 153
R
RAAF (See Royal Australian Air Force)
radio-navigation (See navigation, radio range)
RAF (See Royal Air Force)
RAF Form 700: 23, 136
Raine, D. RAFFC: 9
RCAF (See Royal Canadian Air Force)
RDX (Torpex) secret explosive: 153, 162, 169
Rearwin Airplane Company: unspecified model of aircraft: 147
Rector, Capt. Charlie RAFFC: 151
Red Baron, The (German WWI ace Baron Manfred Von Richthofen): 7
Red Cross: 156
Reeves (aircrew) RAFFC: 56
Regia Aeronautica: 168
Reid, Squad. Ldr. “Windy” RCAF: 135
Rennie, D.N. RAFFC: 10
Repulse Bay, N.W.T. (now Nunavut): 72
Resolute Bay, Cornwallis Island: 72
Resolution Island, N.W.T. (now Nunavut): 72, 82
Return Ferry Service (See BOAC Return Ferry Service)
Revie, Don: 6
Reykjavik, Iceland (See also Iceland): 118, 119, 126, 127, 137, 161
Ritz Hotel, Montreal: 153
River Shannon, Republic of Ireland: 177
Robinson, F/O Dennis (Australia) 180
Rocky Mountains: 6
Rodgers, W. C. RAFFC: 10
Rommel, General Erwin: 167, 168
Roosevelt, Col. Elliot: 53, 64, 65
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, American President: 12, 118, 121, 142, 168, 171
Ross, Capt. Carl RAFFC: 144
Ross, W.C. RAFFC: 80
Ross, Wing Commander “Don,” Senior Air Staff Officer RAFFC: 103
Rowe, Capt. Gene: 144
Royal Air Force (RAF): 115, 118, 119, 150; Bomber Command: 31, 121, 176; Coastal Command: 39, 101, 103, 104, 118, 121; Ferry Command (See Ferry Command); Service Flying School: 155
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF): 37, 150; No. 18 Squadron: 150
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF): 60, 64, 65, 106, 108, 177; Service Flight Training: 180, 181
Royal Canadian Corps of Signals: 82
Royal Canadian Mounted Police: 89
Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve: 5, 6, 132, 148
Royal Flying Corps: 21
Royal Navy: 102, 122, 154, 161; Ships: HMS Ark Royal: 102; HMS Eagle: 167, 168
Royal Netherlands Air Force: 145
Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal: 120
Ruggles, Gracey: 34
Ruggles, Capt. Jack RAFFC: 34, 144
Rush, R/O Eric RAFFC: 111, 113, 125, 129, 132, 133, 136, 157, 161, 171
Ryan, F/E Art RAFFC: 150
Ryan, Richard W. Prairie Airways: 21
S
Sacramento, California: 147
Saskatchewan: 55, 93, 153. Specific place names: Beaverhill Lake: 2; Cooking Lake: 2; Moose Jaw: 55; Peter Pond Lake: 5; Regina: 20
Sassenach: 168
Schaefer, Capt. Les RAFFC: 144
Schiller, Captain Clarence Alvin “Duke” RAFFC: 54, 71
Schlossback, Lt.-Comdr. “Ike” USN: 54, 71
Scotland: 11, 14, 44, 53, 119, 120, 161, 165, 167. Specific place names: Argyle: 161; Ayr: 164, 168; Carlisle: 173; Clyde, Firth of: 11, 161, 167; Dundee: 44; Glasgow: 161, 167; Isle of Skye: 161; Inverness: 161; Lossiemouth: 165; Prestwick (See Prestwick airfield); Solway Firth: 173; Stornoway: 119, 161
Scottish Aviation: 123, 126
Seaton, Stan, No. 2 AOS: 8
sextant: 39, 40, 43, 55, 58, 69 (See also navigation)
Shangri-La: 171
Sharpe, Capt. Jack RAFFC: 145
Shears, Les, No. 2 AOS: 8
Short Brothers (aircraft manufacturers); Empire flying boat Cassiopeia, G-ADUX: 44; Empire flying boat, Maia: 44; Sunderland flying boat: 154, 177
Sicily: 167
Signal Corps, World War One: 170
Silverthorne, J. RAFFC: 9
Singapore: 37
Siple, Capt. Wallace “Wally” RAFFC: xvii, 15, 16, 17, 17, 19, 50, 144, 145, 146
Smith, Capt. Ian RAFFC/BOAC: 42
Smith, Capt. T.G. RAFFC: 145
Smith, N.E. RAFFC: 10
Smith’s Falls, Ontario: 29
Snailham RAFFC: 9
South Africa: 44
South America: 146, 180
South Atlantic: 43, 50, 146
South Atlantic safari: 180
South Atlantic Safari, by Capt. Don McVicar: xiii, xiv
Spaatz, Gen. Carl: 53
Spitfire (See Supermarine Aviation Works)
Spry, R/O RAFFC: 106
Steen, N. RAFFC: 10
St. Elmo’s Fire: cover, xv, 117
Stewart, Capt. W.L. “Geordie: BOAC Return Ferry Service: 139-143, 168
St. Hubert airport (See airports/airfields)
St. John’s College School, Winnipeg, Manitoba: 62
St. Louis, Missouri: 46
Stockholm, Sweden: 175
Stoffee, pilot, ATA: 167
Store, A.G. RAFFC: 10
Strand Palace Hotel, London, England: 174
submarine (See also U-boat): 147
Sumatra, Indonesia: 50, 145
sunspots: 59
Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers Supermarine): Spitfire fighter plane: 113, 167-168
Swain, navigator: 171
Swaney, F/E Gayle RAFFC: 56, 86
Sweden: 175
Sweet, H.A. RAFFC: 9
T
Taylorcraft Aviation: 6, 21
Teel, Capt. Dill Mervin “Don” RAFFC: 34, 35, 42, 144, 146-151, 149, 153
Tennessee: 147
Thebaud, Gertrude L., schooner: 54
Third Reich: 156
Thompson, Tommy: 7
Tibet: 171
Tic-Toc nightclub, Montreal: 153
Tobin, Capt. Gilbert RAFFC: 144, 145
Tobruk, Libya: 176
Tokyo, Japan: 171
Toronto, Ontario: 171
Torpex (RDX super explosive): 162
Torrey, Capt. Al RAFFC: 145
Trans-Canada Air Lines: 6, 11, 14
Trans-Canada Airway: 6
Transoceanic Pilots Association: 34
Tripp, C. M. RAFFC: 10
Troup, Capt. C.R. “Peter” RAFFC: 15
turbo superchargers: 124, 127
U
USAAC (United States Army Air Corps): 70, 108, 147
USAAF (United States Army Air Forces): 159
U-boat, German submarine: 9, 11, 13, 52, 103, 121, 130, 141, 147, 178
USN (United States Navy): 37, 54, 110, 112, 118, 119; Ships: USS Arizona: 148; USS Hornet: 171; USS Lexington: 168; USS Wasp: 167, 168; USS Yorktown: 168
United States Army: 170
United States Army Corps of Engineers: 129
United States Congress: 170
University of Alberta: 4, 20
Uprichard, F/L Paddy: 46
V
VanDerKloot, Capt. William, Jr. RAFFC: xv, 144
VanDerKloot, William “Bill” III, film producer/director/writer: xv
VE Day: 12
Ventura AE708 (See Lockheed Ventura)
Very pistol: 92
Victoria Cross: 154
Visual Flight Rules (VFR): 166
W
Waagen, Len: 5
Wake Island, Micronesia: 37
Wakeman, S/L RAFFC: 106
War Bonds: 155
Washington, D.C.: xvii, 49, 54, 58, 76, 83, 103, 104, 130, 131, 132
Webber, J. A. RAFFC: 10
Weems, Lt.-Comdr. Philip Van Horn, author, Air Navigation, British Empire Edition: 42, 43
West, Capt. Russ: 21
Westergaard, A. “Westy” No. 2 AOS: 8, 8
West Palm Beach, Florida: 50, 144
West, R.L. RAFFC: 10
Wheeler, R/O Lloyd RAFFC: 55, 68, 78, 82, 83, 88, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98, 100
Wightman, R/O “Gordy” RAFFC: 148, 153
Williams, Lynn R.: xvi
Wilson, J.N. RAFFC: 10
Windsor Hotel, Montreal: 153
Winnipeg, Manitoba:6, 7, 62
Wittert, Capt. Rene: 145
Women’s Royal Naval Service (WREN): 176
Woods Brothers Outfitters: 55, 152
Woods-Humphreys, George: xvii
Woolaroc, Cessna Travel Air 5000, winner of 1927 Dole Race: 43
Woolett, Capt. Walter “Babe” OBE: 15
Words on Wings Press, LLC: xv
World War One: 7, 21, 36, 144
Wright aircraft engine:49, 172
Wright, F/E H.J.: 120
Wright, Orville: 170
