May 05, 1953 - Flying Over The North Pole: Two Hastings aircraft of the Royal...

May 05, 1953 - Flying Over The North Pole: Two Hastings aircraft of the Royal Air Force Flying College at Manby, Lines., have just returned with these photograph taken by an Air Ministry photographer on flights over and near the North Pole. Each aircraft circled the Geographical Pole on two 11-hour flights from the Royal Canadian Air Force base at Resolute Bay, which lies within the Arctic Circle (position: 74 degrees 50 minutes North, 95 degrees West). The flights, which involved flying 10,115 miles, gave practical training in high-altitude navigation over featureless areas, where magnetic compasse are unreliable, using special techniques. Captained by Squadron Leader H.D. Archer, D.F.C., and Flight Lieut. R.W. Firmin, D.F.C., the aircraft which carried two staff navigators and five students, with other air and ground crew. Photo shows Back from the North Pole, a Hastings is guided in to the refueling point by an airman of the R.C.A.F.