May 05, 1953 - British Official Photograph (Air Ministry) Crown Copyright Reserved. FLYING OVER THE...

May 05, 1953 - British Official Photograph (Air Ministry) Crown Copyright Reserved. FLYING OVER THE NORTH POLE: Two Hastings aircraft of the Royal Air Force Flying College at Manby, Lines., have just returned with these photographs taken by an Air Ministry photographer on fly over and near the North Pole. Each aircraft circled the Geographical Pole on two 11-hour fights 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 navigational work over featureless areas, where magnetic compasse are unreliable, using special techniques. Captained by Squadron leader H.D. Archer, D.F.C. and Flight Lieutenant H.W. Firmin, D.F.C., the aircraft carried two staff navigators and five students, with other air and ground crew. British Official Photo Shows: Pack ice and open water between Devon Island, in the North-West Territory of Canada, and North Western Greenland.