Mann, Conrad Albert (Oral history)

British NCO served as air mechanic with Royal Naval Air Service in GB and Italy, 1915-1918; served with RAF in GB, 1918; civilian inspecting engineer worked at Supermarine Aviation Works in GB supervising construction of Supermarine 5 and Supermarine 6 Seaplanes entered for Schneider Trophy Races, 1926-1931

REEL 1 Background in Brightlingsea, 1896-1915: education; apprenticeship as yacht and boat builder, 1910-1915; Boy Scouts activities including role acting as coast guards on outbreak of war, 4/8/1914; failure of initial attempt to join army due to reserved occupation status. Aspects of recruitment and training as 1st class air mechanic into Royal Naval Air Service in GB, 1915: reactions of father and works manager; reaction to first name Conrad; passing trade test at Hendon. REEL 2 Continues: passing trade test; regular status; kitting out at Wormwood Scrubs; reception and basic training at Naval Training School, Sheerness, 1915. Recollections of period as NCO air mechanic at Felixstowe Royal Naval Air Station, 7/1915-1917: minimal contact with Commander Porte; uncrating Curtiss Flying Boats from US; experimental work on F Flying Boats; propeller tests on Curtiss H12; use of Porte Baby Flying Boat including question of armament and successful launch of Bristol Scout from Porte Baby Flying Boat in flight. REEL 3 Continues: successful launch of Bristol Scout from Porte Baby Flying Boat in flight; question of pilots running wheels along shed roofs; fitting E Class submarine with structure to carry Sopwith Schneiders Seaplanes for raids; captured German submarine; view of survivors of sinking of Arethusa entering Harwich on destroyer; 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 illustrating inflexibility of Felixstowe anti-aircraft defences; requests for overseas service. Recollections of period British Italian Airship Expeditionary Force taking SS Submarine Scout Airships to Italy, 1917-1918: embarkation preparations at Wormwood Scrubs; prior ignorance of airships; voyage out via Paris, France; initial reception from 6 Wing at Taranto; status as being under Italian control and consequent food rations; dysentery attacks; situation at airship station at Grateli; preparation of SS Airships and handover to Italians; journey back to GB, 1/1918; story of bringing back propeller. REEL 5 Continues: story of bringing back propeller; recurrent malaria attacks. Reactions to formation of RAF, 1/4/1918: question of continuation of naval traditions; question of rum ration. Period as NCO air mechanic at Cattwater and Torquay, 1918: rank as acting sergeant; assembling seaplanes; meeting future wife serving with Womens' Auxiliary Air Force; use of carrier pigeons; successful seaplane test flight as observer; restrictions on meeting WAAFs; recall to repair hulls of flying boats at Cattwater. Background to application for and training for commission, 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 Medical Board, Hampstead; uniform; attending courses as pilot/observer with RAF Officers Cadet Brigade; 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, 1922-1931: prior difficulty in securing employment, 1919-1921. REEL 7 Continues: prior difficulty in securing employment, 1919-1921; transfer to Inspection Staff under Reginald Mitchell, 1926; work as inspector preparing Supermarine 6 Seaplanes and converting Supermarine 5 Seaplanes for Schneider Trophy, 1929; importance of Schneider Trophy; relationship as inspector with work horse; composition of Schneider Trophy team and division of responsibility with Rolls Royce engine team, 1929; recall for inspection of S5 Seaplane for first flight by Flight Lieutenant Boothman at Felixstowe, 1930; role in re-conditioning S6 Seaplanes to create S6 A and S6 B for Schneider Trophy, 1931; opinion of Mitchell and his innovative role in design.