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The first model of a new mobile unit for removing ice and frost from the wings of airlift planes is shown after completion at Furstenfeldbruck Air Force Base. The unit, a jet aircraft engine on a special mount, is placed on a truck with the hot air blast
from the tailpipe directed at ice coated wings of lift planes.
With the jet engines idling at thirty-five percent of capacity,
the hot air blast has a temperature of 156 degrees Fahrenheit forty feet from the end of the tailpipe. This temperature is
considered sufficient to melt the ice from planes as the unit is moved slowly past while aircraft are being loaded.
The original unit was designed and built by M/Sgt. Paul G.
LeBeau of the 36th Fighter wing maintenance section. Six
additional units, now are under construction at Erding Air Force
Depot, have been designed to permit the hot air blast to be
directed downward for removing ice form runways and
taxi strips in addition to use on aircraft.
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