RAAF Meteorological Service
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Weather Factor in Warfare
Chapter 2: Establishing and Developing the RAAF Directorate of Met. Services (D.Met.S)
Chapter 3: Recruiting and Training of Personnel
Chapter 4: Meteorology in Aviation
Chapter 5: The Met. Retreating
Chapter 6: The Met. Advancing
Chapter 7: The Met With the Army and the Navy
Chapter 8: Divisional Offices of the Bureau of Meteorology During the War
Chapter 9: Research and Instrumental Development
Research
Instrumental Development
Chapter 10: The End, Aftermath, and Beyond
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
References
Index
Search
Help
Contact us
Research (continued)
Dr Mellor described how Wing-Commander Treloar studied in detail a matter of particular interest to aviation—namely precipitation static. When an aircraft flew through certain types of cloud—notably cumulonimbus—it became electrically charged. This charge seriously interfered with the reception of radio signals from the aircraft. With the aid of accurate cloud descriptions and the circumstances under which they were likely to be encountered, pilots were able to mitigate the trouble simply by avoiding flying into such clouds.[89]Squadron-Leader W. Gibbs spoke to me about the challenge of tropical meteorology:
'It gave me the opportunity to carry out research work, the fascination of which never diminishes. The beauty of the work of the meteorologist is that there are so many unexplained features of the atmosphere that forecasting and providing climatological advice present a stimulating challenge to anyone with an enquiring mind.' [90]
Gibbs went on to describe how he proposed, and was given, the responsibility of editing the RAAF Tropical Weather Research Bulletin when he was stationed at Brisbane. Bulletin No. 1 was issued on 1 May 1944, and the last, No. 15, in April 1947. The whole of the typing, reproduction of diagrams, assembly and mailing was done by the meteorological section of RAAF Command in Brisbane. This staff was all RAAF personnel and included members of the WRAAAF. The RAAF Tropical Weather Research Bulletin served as a medium for the exchange of ideas between tropical forecasters in the war zone, and also for conveying this knowledge to other parts of the world. It was recognised by the Air Ministry in London as one of the two most outstanding contributions to meteorology up to this time. [91]
People in Bright Sparcs - Gibbs, William James (Bill); Treloar, Harry Mayne
 |
Bureau of Meteorology |  |
© Online Edition Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre and Bureau of Meteorology 2001
Published by Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher
http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/fam/0320.html