Nicholetts, Gilbert Edward (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight, RAF in GB and aboard HMS Eagle in Mediterranean, 1922-1925; served with Far East Flight, RAF and 205 Sqdn, RAF in Far East, 1927-1931; served as adjutant with No 2 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Digby, GB, 1932; served with Fairey Long Range Monoplane Flight, RAF in GB, 1933 including record breaking flight from Cranwell to Walvis Bay, South West Africa; served as staff officer with No 23 Group, RAF at Grantham, GB, 1934; attended RAF Staff College, Camberley, GB, 1935; served as staff officer with RAF Headquarters in Iraq, 1936-1938 and with Directorate of Organisation at Air Ministry, London, GB, 1938-1939

REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1920-1922: naval education prior to enlistment in RAF, 1920; training at RAF College Cranwell; attending flying boat conversion course at RAF Calshot, 1922; popularity of flying boat duties. Aspects of period as pilot with 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight, RAF in GB and aboard HMS Eagle in Mediterranean, 1922-1925: posting to unit at RAF Lee-on-Solent; preparations for Mediterranean; inadequacy of Supermarine Seagull; deck landings; composition of flights aboard HMS Eagle; conversion to Fairey IIID; reasons for lack of flying from aircraft carrier; relations with naval personnel. Aspects of period as pilot with Far East Flight, RAF and 205 Sqdn, RAF in Singapore, Malaya, 1927-1931: formation of flight in GB, 1926; selection for tour in Supermarine Southampton Flying Boats with Far East Flight, 1927; renaming of unit to 205 Sqdn in Singapore, 1928. REEL 2 Continues: return to GB to join 209 Sqdn, RAF, 1931. Aspects of period as adjutant with No 2 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Digby, GB, 1932: posting to unit after attending naval observers' course; duties and reaction to posting. Aspects of period with Fairey Long Range Monoplane Flight, RAF in GB and on world recording breaking flight from RAF Cranwell to Walis Bay Austrialia, 1933: background to posting, 1/1933; preparations for record attempt including pre-conditions; character of Fairey Long Range Monoplane; equipment and navigation; account of record breaking flight from RAF Cranwell to Walvis Bay, South Western Africa, 1933. Aspects of period as staff officer with No 23 Group, RAF at Grantham, GB, 1934: role of group including Birkenhead Mobilisation Scheme. Aspects of period as student at RAF Staff College, Andover, GB, 1935: nature of course; visit to Polish Air Force in Poland. Aspects of period as staff officer with RAF Headquarters, Iraq, 1936-1938: posting to RAF Hinaidi; planning duties. REEL 3 Continues: transfer to Habbaniyah. Aspects of period as staff officer with Directorate of Organisation, Air Ministry, London, GB, 1938-1939: duties; mobilisation plans. Reflections of service as officer with RAF, 1920-1939: officers' lifestyle; effects of financial restrictions on RAF; officer clothing; attitudes of Cranwell trained, short service and First World War officers; flying aircraft during interwar period.