Description
Object description
British NCO served as air mechanic with Royal Naval Air Service in GB and Italy, 1915-1918; served with Royal Air Force in GB, 1918-1919; civilian engineer worked at Supermarine Aviation Works Ltd and Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers) Ltd, Woolston, GB, 1926-1931
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Brightlingsea, GB, 1896-1915: education; apprenticeship as yacht and boat builder, 1910-1915; Boy Scout Movement activities including role acting as coast guards on outbreak of First World War, 4/8/1914; failure of initial attempt to enlist in British Army due to Reserved Occupation (RO) status. Aspects of enlistment and training as air mechanic into Royal Naval Air Service in GB, 1915: reactions of father and works manager to his enlistment; reaction to first name Conrad; passing trade test at Royal Naval Air Service Station Hendon Aerodrome.
REEL 2 Continues: passing trade test; regular status; kitting out at Royal Naval Air Service Station Wormwood Scrubs; reception and basic training at Naval Flying Training School, Sheerness, 1915. Recollections of period as NCO at Royal Naval Air Service Station Felixstowe, GB, 1915-1917: degree of contact with Commander John Porte; uncrating Curtiss Model H Flying Boats sent from US; experimental work on Felixstowe Flying Boats; propeller tests on Curtiss H-12; use of Felixstowe Porte Baby Flying Boat including question of armament and successful launch of Bristol Scout from Felixstowe Porte Baby Flying Boat in flight.
REEL 3 Continues: question of pilots running wheels along shed roofs; fitting E Class submarine with structure to carry Sopwith Schneider Seaplane for raids; captured German submarine; sight of survivors of sinking of HMS Arethusa entering Harwich on destroyer, 11/2/1916; repairing motor boats; question of promotion; amusing story of series of accidents to seaplanes setting off on dawn patrol; effects of Zeppelin raids and makeshift shelter.
REEL 4 Continues: story of failure to shoot down Zeppelin by anti-aircraft defences at Felixstowe; requests for overseas service. Recollections of period with as NCO with Royal Naval Air Service in Italy, 1917-1918: embarkation preparations at Royal Naval Air Service Station Wormwood Scrubs, GB; prior ignorance of airships; voyage out via Paris, France; initial reception from No 6 Wing, Royal Naval Air Service at Taranto, Italy; status under Italian control and consequent rations; dysentery attacks; situation at airship station in Italy; preparation of SS Class Airships and handover to Italians; journey back to GB, 1/1918; story of bringing back propeller.
REEL 5 Continues: recurrent malaria attacks; reaction to formation of RAF, 1/4/1918: question of continuation of naval traditions including rum ration. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Air Force at RAF Cattlewater and RAF Torquay in GB, 1918: rank as acting sergeant; assembling seaplanes; meeting future wife serving with Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF); use of carrier pigeons; successful seaplane test flight as observer; restrictions on meeting female Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) personnel; recall to repair hulls of flying boats at RAF Cattlewater. Aspects of application for and training for commission in Royal Air Force, GB, 1918-1919: initial objections due to status as mechanic; interview with admiral; necessity of taking air test flight; medical; appearing in front of selection commission.
REEL 6 Continues: passing selection committee; nature of tests to determine nerve and suitability for flying at a Medical Board in Hampstead; uniform; attending courses as pilot/observer with Cadet Brigade, RAF; rugby and sporting activities; Armistice celebrations and story of Canadians forcibly freeing Canadian arrested by Military Police in Folkestone, 11/11/1918; role as cadet orderly sergeant and acceptance of offer of permanent commission as second lieutenant; demobilisation of cadets; background to requesting demobilisation and status as honorary second lieutenant. Recollections of period as engineer with Supermarine Aviation Works Ltd and Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers) Ltd, Woolston, GB, 1922-1931: prior difficulty in securing employment, 1919-1921.
REEL 7 Continues: transfer to Inspection Staff under R J Mitchell, 1926; work as inspector preparing Supermarine S.6 seaplanes and converting Supermarine S.5 seaplanes for Schneider Trophy, 1929; importance of Schneider Trophy; relations as inspector with work force; composition of Schneider Trophy team and division of responsibility with Rolls-Royce engine team, 1929; recall for inspection of Supermarine S.5 for first flight by Flight Lieutenant John Boothman at Felixstowe, 1930; role in reconditioning Supermarine S.6 to create Supermarine S.6A and Supermarine, S.6B for Schneider Trophy races, 1931; opinion of R J Mitchell and his innovative role in design.