Description
Object description
British aircraftman trained with RAF in GB, 1941; trained as pilot and flying instructor with US Army Air Force under Arnold Scheme in US, 1941-1943; officer served as flying instructor with RAF in GB, 1943-1945
Content description
REEL 1: Background in Surrey, GB, 1922-1939: family; education; employment with Lloyd's Bank; reaction to outbreak of war, 9/1939; bomb damage to bank; use of Anderson shelter; memories of rationing and blackout; description of role as junior clerk in bank; reason for enlisting with RAF. Aspects of training with RAF in GB, 1941: induction at St John's Wood, London, 6/1941; issued with uniform and kit; posted to No 4 Initial Training Wing, RAF Paignton 7-8/1941; description of basic training; story of being selected for training on Arnold Scheme; description of voyage to US via Canada, 9-10/1941; opinion of accommodation and food; problem of seasickness; billeted in Toronto. Recollections of training with US Army Air Corps in US, 10/1941-3/1943: posted to Maxwell Field, Alabama, 10/1941; ground school; reaction to West Point discipline and question of 'hazing' recruits; problem of heat; drill; daily routine and duties.
REEL 2 Continues: memory of physical training; opinion of American officers; rank of leading aircraftman; leisure time; pay; question of American neutrality and wearing civilian clothes; comparison of living conditions in GB and US; posted to Darr Field, Albany, for primary training, 11/1941; accommodation; discipline; demerit system; description of PT 17 training aircraft; flying clothes; problem of communication; story of first solo flight; description of flying training and aerobatics; problem of air sickness; ground school; opinion of instructors; flying tests and drop-out rate; memory of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, 7/Dec/1941; increased security on base following Pearl Harbour; social life; religious beliefs; posted to Gunter Field, Montgomery, for basic flying training, 1/1942; description of flying training on BT 13.
REEL 3 Continues: daily routine; ground school; living conditions; description of night flying training; use of navigational beacons; opinion of instruction in flying by instruments; posted to Maxwell Field for advanced flying training, 4/1942; description of flying training on AT 6; problem of landing; weather conditions; formation and low flying exercises; living conditions; daily routine; cross country exercises; story of being commissioned; posted to Gunter Field as instructor on BT 13, 5/1942; description of role as instructor; appointed Assistant Flight Commander; question of responsibility; posted back to GB, 3/1943. Aspects of period with RAF in GB, 1943-1945: further training as instructor on Oxford.
REEL 4 Continues: instructional methods; memory of Wing Commander Thompson; technique of stopping and starting engine in flight; comparison of flying in GB and US; attitude to role as instructor. Reflections on period of service with RAF. Post-war life and employment in US.