The coldest I've ever experienced was minus 8 at RAAF Base at East Sale Victoria.....on the Airstrip at 2am in the early hours of the morning watching foxes chasing bunny rabbits thru' the heavy mist.
I had no traction on the Airstrip ... the RAAF Combie Van would just sit and spin the back wheels on the ' icey ' Runway.
I had to very gently ease the throttle down and slowly to get going ....I went down to the ' piano keys ' at the other end of the Airstrip and got stuck on some ' ice ' covered grass while turning around to go back.
Had to call the ' Service Police ' to tow me back to the Guard House.
I was given the ' please explain ' treatment by the MP's .....I was instructed to check the F-111C's ( on detachment ) every hour on the hour, as it was my turn to come on duty.
The other ' Lad's ' almost had the same predicament as me..... they said next time don't go off the runway... turn around on the strip , not the grass.
This was about 1974 ...
Lesson learnt
