Gap Filler Detail

1953 – Gap Filler Proposal – National Archives of Canada


SITE BROCHURE

 

Appendix "A" to Minutes
of Conference. Pinetree
Project Office. 23 Jul 53

M-104, Wiarton, Ont.

A low level gap filler providing surveillance to the north between C-4 and P-61. Should be located to close northwest, southeast, low level gap over Lake Huron. Will not be equipped at A/G, but will have HF backup. Station will report to P-61 and will cross-tell to P-61 only. Manning will be approximately 4 and 73.

 

M-107, Sultan, Ont.

Direction center on inner perimeter. To provide surveillance between C-9, P-66, and M-119. Will be equipped with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to P-66, M-119, C-9 and C-10. Manning will be approximately 15 and 164.

 

M-108, Mattawa, Ont.

Direction center providing surveillance between C-3, C-8, C-9 and C-10. Will be equipped with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to C-3, C-4, C-8, C-9 and C-10. Manning will be approximately 19 and 166.

 

M-119, Fire River, Ont.

Direction center on outer perimeter. To provide surveillance to the north between C-10, M-120, and C-14. Will have A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to M-107, M-120, C-10 and C-14. Manning will be approximately 17 and 176.

 

M-120, Peninsula, Ont.

Direction center on outer perimeter. To provide surveillance between P-16, M-109, M-119, C-14 and C-15. Will be provided with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to P-16, M-119, C-14, and C-15. Manning will be approximately 15 and 162.

 

SM-152, Nakusp, BC

Direction center on outer perimeter. To provide surveillance to the northeast between P-60 and SM-153. Coverage over airways desirable; will be possible corridor reporting point. Will be equipped with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to P-6, P-11, P-60, and SM-153. Manning will be approximately 21 and 185.

 

SM-153, Kamloops, BC

Direction center on outer perimeter. To provide surveillance to the north between SM-152 and SM-154. Coverage over airways desirable; will be possible corridor reporting point. Will be equipped with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to P-6, P-46, SM-152 and SM-154. Manning will be approximately 21 and 185.

 

SM-154, Birken, BC

Direction center on outer perimeter. To provide surveillance to the north between SM-153 and C-35. Will be equipped with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to control center and cross-tell to P-46, SM-153, C-19 and C-35. Manning will be approximately 20 and 171.

 

M-102, Cape Sable, NS

Surveillance station outside double perimeter. To provide surveillance from approximately 60 degrees to 300 degrees; will provide northern anchor by AEW line. Will be equipped with A/G and HF backup. Station will report to P-13 and cross-tell to P-13 and C-11. Manning will be approximately 4 and 173.

 

This document was obtained from the National Archives of Canada for use on the Pinetree Line web site in August 1998.

There are a few points that are worthy of additional comment as follows:

1 - The document is dated 23 July 1953, obviously at a time when construction for most of the Pinetree Line radar stations was well under way, but also at a time when there was a great deal of uncertainty pertaining to what the "final product" would actually end up being.

2 - M-104 at Wiarton is identified as a low level gap filler, while the other 8 locations are identified as direction centers or surveillance stations. Of interest is that only 2 of the 8 actually ended up as operational Pinetree Line radar stations. (SM-153 at Kamloops, and M-102 at Barrington).