This weekend at your club or operations - raise a glass to those
intreped souls who flew a mission called Voodoo 65 years ago. (copied
from Fiddlers green website)
On June 23, 1943, a CG-4A nicknamed "Voodoo" (RAF serial number
FR579) took off from RCAF Dorval and set course to Goose Bay,
Labrador, being towed by a C-47. The purpose of this mission was to
fly a glider, loaded with a 3360 lb freight of medical supplies,
engine and radio parts in three legs from Canada to Scotland. On June
27, the combination headed for Bluie West One. Three days later (June
30) the glider was towed over the Atlantic, landing in Iceland after a
flight of 7 hours and 15 minutes.
The next day the combination took off for the final leg, they landed
in Prestwick, Scotland.
This was the first time in history a glider was towed over the
Atlantic, it took the Voodoo-combination a total of 28 hrs flying time
to accomplish. The pilots were the Squadron Leaders R.G. Seys and F.M.
Gobeil RCAF.
I have tried to find Sq Ldr Seys and Gobeil in the UK - but by now
they are probably soaring on their own wings - Imagine the tow
conditions and time in the seats! For those who have not looked at a
CG-4A - go to the web and you will find this was no sheep skin lined
cocoon!
So a toast to those who dared to do such things in gliders!
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