Q&A ยท 38:59-39:20

How carrier forces handled aircraft icing

Carrier crews used practical de-icing methods such as heated water and physical scraping when aircraft accumulated ice.

Question

How did naval air forces solve airframe icing on carrier aircraft?

Short answer

They used methods including hot water and manual scraping, with the exact practice varying by service and circumstance.

Notes

Hot water and scraping are the practical de-icing methods named in the answer. Different services used different approaches. Protecting aircraft and pilots from the cold for as long as possible was another part of keeping carrier aviation operating.