70 years of Atmospheric research flying timeline ... - Met Office

Meteorological Research Flight, the science of atmospheric measurement from aircraftwas still in its infancy, one problem faced by the scientists of MRF was measuringtemperature from its Mosquito aircraft.Measuring air temperature from an aircraft moving at speeds of up to 366 mph and ataltitudes up to 40,000ft presents a range of challenges, as bringing the air into a samplevolume reduces its speed relative to the aircraft and causes its thermodynamicproperties to change. Thermodynamic theory can be used to calculate kinetic heatingcorrections for this problem, however the application of this theory to such high speedand low pressure conditions was relatively new, so the MRF worked with its wing of highspeed, high altitude Mosquito aircraft to examine and improve the corrections applied totemperature measurements from aircraft.This work was vital to much of the research that followed, as temperature is a keyatmospheric parameter, and is used in conjunction with measurements from a widerange of instruments to help improve our understanding of the atmosphere. In additionreliable temperature measurements by commercial aircraft allow the crew to understandthe difference between the atmosphere they are flying in and a standard atmosphereand hence understand fuel burn and performance criteria of their aircraft. It is anessential part of aircraft safety to this day.Spitfire Mk2 P8021, and Bostons BZ315, BZ362, BZ262, AL480 and AL481 all left thisyear.1945Hudson wrecked when undercarriage collapsed on landing and Flying Fortress retired.Hudson and Flying Fortress together.1946Two Halifax Mk6 (ST796 & AT817) and a Mosquito PR34 (RG248) arrived.1946HAF renamed Meteorological Research Flight (MRF).1946“Condensation Trails” paper published by Brewer in Weather© Crown copyright 20124