Table 1. — Surface Ice Patrol Statistics for the 1959 Ice Season 



1 Diverted from patrol 11-13 May lor search and rescue mission. 



AERIAL ICE OBSERVATION 



As in past years since 1946, aircraft constituted the primary 

 means of ice observation by the 1959 International Ice Patrol. This 

 season the familiar PB1G (B-17), "Flying Fortress," used in previous 

 years, was no longer present. Age and obsolescence had rendered 

 prohibitive the operating and maintenance expenses of these line old 

 aircraft. 



For this season and to continue in the future, three R5D "Skymaster" 

 aeroplanes were employed for reconnaissance. Such Douglas DC4 air- 

 craft are well known for their excellent operating characteristics. The 

 lack of a bombardier's station in the bow of an R5D, however, made its 

 observational qualities inferior to the B-17, but prior to the I960 season 

 observation "blisters" will be installed in all Ice Patrol planes to remedy 

 this defect. A photograph of one of the new Ice Patrol aircraft in flight 

 is presented as a frontispiece to this Bulletin. 



During the 1959 season 61 patrol flights were conducted. The planes 

 were operated by the U.S. Coast Guard Air Detachment, Argentia, 

 Newfoundland, Comdr. K. R. Goodwin, USCG, and are stationed 

 permanently at the U.S. Naval Station, Argentia. 



Between 1 January and the start of the season on 5 March. 13 "pre- 

 season" nights were made to establish the limits of ice in its annual 

 southward drift. Again, from the termination of the Patrol at 17 July 

 and through 8 September, 8 postseason reconnaissance nights guarded 

 against an undetected encroachment. 



Ice observation nights range between 1,000 and 1,300 miles in total 

 distance. They are usually planned in a series of parallel legs spaced 

 20 30 miles apart commensurate with visibility conditions to thoroughly 

 search the intended area. Flight altitude is 1,000 ft. but it often becomes 

 necessary to descend to near wave-top level in order lo retain surface 

 visibility or identify radar targets as ship or berg. Flying far offshore at 

 such low altitudes is whv mult iengine aircraft are utilized. Navigation is 



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