Gap Filler Detail

1961 – National Archives of Canada

10-36-80/5(DCEP)

Victoria Island, Ontario

1 August 1961

Mr S G Gamble,
Director
Surveys and Mapping Branch
Dept of Mines and Technical Surveys
Ottawa, Ontario

Re: Strip Topographical Maps
Gap Filler Radar Programme

Dear Sir:

In connection with the Gap Filler Radar Programme, which extends from the Manitoba border to the Atlantic coast, we have made good use of the available 1:50,000 topographical maps in the various forms for the locating of the proposed radar stations, determining the probable radar coverage, designing the site layout, access roads, power lines and communication routes.

We have naturally run into difficulty in areas in Northern Ontario and Quebec where 1:50,000 or 1:40,000 maps are not yet available. In this connection we have four sites where the communication to the prime radar station will have to be partly by radio rather than land lines but whether this method is possible cannot be determined without some idea of the terrain between the site and the nearest telephone exchange. A strip map covering three miles wide on a scale of 1:50,000 with 50 ft contours, with particular emphasis to the high points rather than the low areas, would provide us with the information we require.

The area involved are shown on the attached photostats where, we believe, there is sufficient horizontal and vertical control for the accuracy required for our engineering study:

  1. Gold Rock to Dryden - part of Sheet 52 SW

  2. Eaglet River to Wawa - part of Sheet 41 NW

  3. Batchawana to Sault Ste Marie - part of Sheet 41 NW

  4. Beaver Tower to Langdale - part of Sheet 32 SE,
 As a meeting is being held on Thursday, 3 August, with the telephone representatives, it would be appreciated if your would advise us by noon on Thursday, whether these strip maps could be produced within one to two months' time. Any assistance desired in obtaining priority for supply the diapositives will be given. Our project officer for this work is Mr WR Alexander, local 6-6558

Yours truly,

(JW Griffith)
for Chief of the Air Staff