FlyPast 03.2018

UNITED NATIONS MIDDLE EAST

90 FLYPAST March 2018

Airstrip charts warned of camels,

donkeys and goats hidden in

shimmering heat waves. Lack of

means to determine wind direction

hindered operations and precisely

designed corridors demanded

accurate flying. When available, small

flags on surface convoys helped.

One such object attracted Mayer.

“I observed a UN convoy travelling

along the border and decided to do a

very low, high-speed run over them.

During the pass, I heard a metallic

‘plink’ and checked the instruments

but finding no problem, I remained

low – 20ft – and sped off to home

base.”

Mayer had ‘amputated’ the upper

6ft of a communications aerial with

the Otter’s three-blade propeller. The

new Canadian on the job remained

in disfavour for several weeks until

messmates presented him with a

DFC or Distinguished Fxxx Around

Cross. (Mayer still has this ‘award’!)

Convective turbulence created by

desert terrain and unobstructed sun

affected aircraft stability, but pilots

could do little except fight the controls

and avoid steep manoeuvres. Despite

the harsh conditions, Otters and

Caribous functioned flawlessly but

RCAF ‘techies’ or mechanics avoided

grease guns because the substance

attracted powdery particles which

eroded bearings and control cables.

Above

A posed photo near

Saudi Arabia’s Najran

on the Rub al Khali with

Mayer (right) discussing

resupply missions with a

Yugoslav army offi cer.

DND VIA GORDON JENKINS

Above right

Mayer frequently

overfl ew the city of Gaza,

northwest of Beersheba.

G MAYER

Right

Living quarters for single

RCAF offi cers in Saudi

Arabia’s Najran were

not luxurious in broiling

desert climate. G MAYER

Below
The RCAF acquired 66 of
the ubiquitous Otter. Many
were given United Nations
colours. VIA MAYER/GORDON
JENKINS