RCAF vehicles in domestic service

[maple_leaf_eh]

My father's uncle James Earl Findlay (1911 - 1991) was a Merlin engine mechanic in 410 Cougar Squadron during the war. I note that his headstone says he was a Cpl, but he never mentioned that. I do remember asking him about his service and how he got around on the airfield. Did he have a Jeep? No he laughed. He had a bicycle with a basket for his tool bag.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

My father's uncle James Earl Findlay (1911 - 1991) was a Merlin engine mechanic in 410 Cougar Squadron during the war. I note that his headstone says he was a Cpl, but he never mentioned that. I do remember asking him about his service and how he got around on the airfield. Did he have a Jeep? No he laughed. He had a bicycle with a basket for his tool bag.

Ah yes, the venerable bicycle, the most underestimated and forgotten military vehicle....

Could not even find a photo of bicycles used by the RCAF in Canada, so here's one to illustrate their use:

"Pilots of the 353rd “Thunderbolts” fighter group leave a briefing, passing bicycles propped against adjacent buildings. IWM FRE 366"
pic33.jpg
Via: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/set-of-wheels