How did air forces operate during winter?

[Willi Von Klugerman]

We all know winter is a season of struggle and cold,so how did it effect the flyers and aircraft?What did ground crewmen do to help keep the crates winter worthy?

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Hello Willy von Klugermann:
Forst bite became a major problem to any exposed skinon the face or hands.
Protective flight clothing was also a problem. The French and British air forces provided combination flying suits, The Fliertruppe and the later Luftstreitkräfte did not have proper flying suits. Early on the RFc had the sheep skin lined "Fug Boots". The later Sidcot Flying suit designed by Sidney Cotton. In late 1917or early 1918, Idflieg came up with electrically heat flight clothing, actually not much different than what the US Army had in WW2.
Another problem for ground crews was they had to drain all the water from the radiators and engine to prevent the engine and radiators from being damaged when the water froze. As water freezes it expands in volume and would crack the seams in the radiators or the water jackets of the engine cylinders. I am not sure but I think they may have used coolants that contained alcohol to lower the freezing temperture. It must have been hell for ground crews, up before dawn, to get aircraft prepared and ready for operations. This was true to some extent in WW2.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[Willi Von Klugerman]

Thanks Abbott!

[rexee]

Hi Willi
You might find this excerpt from"The Jenny" of interest

"During the war, the main flight and gunnery training bases for Canadian airmen were located at LongBranch, Armour Heights, and Camp Borden on the outskirts of Toronto.Training was year round and the harsh gray Canadian winter provided many obstacles.
One problem was simply the fragility of early aircraft, The "Jenny" in particular, would struggle through snow in an attempt to get airborne. Wheel undercarriages were ineffective in snowdrifts more than six inches deep.
The solution to this problem was to emulate an aboriginal principle, adopting a method used by the North American Indian since he first traversed the frozen wastes of Canada
Thus was evolved the present day airplane skid."
Cheers
Rex

[cameldriver]

I've also read that they would heat the oil and then pour it into the crankcase shortly before take-off.

[Willi Von Klugerman]

I bet the grease monkeys got grumpy alot from waking up early and set the aircraft in the cold morning!Well,someone has to do it!