RCAF Mobile Support Equipment (MSE): Snow Removal Equipment and Tracked Vehicles

RCAF Mobile Support Equipment (MSE): Snow Removal Equipment and Tracked Vehicles

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3586149)

Avro Lancaster, coded AP-D, being towed by a Cletrac M2 High Speed Tractor, No. 8 Detachment, 16 November 1948. Avro Lancaster Mk. 10P coded AP-D flew with No. 413 'Tusker' (P) Squadron. The photo was likely taken at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. Note the North Star in front.  The squadron's association with the Lancaster was very short-lived. They operated the type from January, 1948 to April, 1948.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581324)

RCAF 1935 Cletrac Tractor No. 295, 3 July 1939.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581318)

RCAF 1938 Cletrac Diesel Tractor No. 358, 3 July 1939.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3581321)

RCAF 1938 Cletrac Model FDL80 Diesel Tractor No. 358, with rotary snow blower attached, 3 July 1939.

(DND Photos via Jean-yves Giroux)

German- Swiss-Canadian tracked Snowblower, ca 1945.  After the end of the Second World War, Canadian Army Major Becker, was sent to Germany to study the German and Swiss experience in fighting snow in the mountains.  In Austrian Tyrol, he discovered and transported to Canada the most powerful rotary snow blower in the world at that time.  The development of this machine was the responsibility of the Snow Research Center, created by Todt.  He achieved great success in solving the problems of snow removal and road construction in snow (this was especially interesting for Canadians who decided to build a network of roads through snowy areas).  It is built on a chassis of the German medium tank Pz.IV.  The engine of the Pz.IV tank has a power of only 300 hp.  This power is still enough for movement, but of course there is no frontal attack of a two-meter-high snow wall from dense packed snow.  Therefore, for throwing snow, a 700-horsepower engine from the Pz. VI Tiger heavy tank was put on the back of the swinging frame with rotors.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584209)

RCAF Tractor Crawler Size 3 Ancle Dozer No. 21-723 RE, 25 Jan 1949.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584183)

RCAF tractor crawler, 25 Jan 1949.  

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584197)

RCAF Tractor Crawler, 25 Jan 1949.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3582020)

RCAF Tractor Crawler, snow removal equipment, RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontairo, c1942.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584219)

RCAF Cyclone snow remover vehicle, 17 Jan 1949.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584204)

RCAF 5-ton Sicard snowblower No. 79-987, 25 Jan 1949.  

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584387)

RCAF 5-ton Sicard snowblower, 23 June 1950.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3237527)

RCAF Walter 4-wheel drive truck with rotary snow loader, 14 Apr 1941.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583142)

RCAF Walter 4-wheel drive Snow Fighter with Roto Wing, 4 Feb 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583749)

RCAF Walter 4-wheel drive Snow Fighter with Seacar snow plough, 26 Apr 1945.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584315)

RCAF 3-ton one way snow plough, 1 Dec 1949.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584316)

RCAF 3-ton one way snow plough, 1 Dec 1949.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584194)

RCAF 3-ton one way snow plough, 25 Jan 1949.  

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584386)

RCAF snow plough, 23 June 1950.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3585101)

RCAF snow removal equipment, 15 April 1955.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584215)

RCAF snow roller, 25 Jan 1949.

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