During the Second World War, British pilots were fighting more than the German Messerschmitts.
They were also fighting against the weathermore specifically, with fog.
Fog was responsible for a large number of losses of RAF aircraft returning from bombing missions over Germany.
With bombing raids involving several hundred aircraft, a significant number of bombers were lost to fog this way.
Fog has always been and continue to be a serious hazard in aviation.
Fog leads to poor visibility, and visibility is crucial for making a safe landing.
In 1934, Houghton demonstrated that fog could be removed appreciably by spraying the air with calcium chloride.
Besides, calcium chloride is corrosive against the aluminum-alloy bodies of airplanes.
Houghtons research in fog dissipation, however, didnt go to waste.
It morphed into a new research field called cloud physics, which explores atmospheric condensation and precipitation.
The weapon that bore out of it was called FIDOFog Investigation Dispersal Operations".
Before long large-scale FIDO systems were routinely clearing the air to a height ofseveral hundred feet.
The glow of the burners could be seen from a hundred kilometers away.
The FIDO revolutionized the war.
FIDO pumps at RAF Graveley May 1945
