Nicholetts, Gilbert Edward (Oral history)

British officer served as pilot with 440 Fleet Reconnaissance Flight in GB and aboard HMS Eagle in Mediterranean, 1922-1925; served with Far East Flight and 205 Sqdn, RAF in Far East, 1927-1931; served as adjutant with No 2 Flying Training School, RAF Digby, GB, 1932; served with Fairey Long Range Monoplane Flight in GB, 1933 including record breaking flight from Cranwell to Walvis Bay, South West Africa; served as staff officer with 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 in 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 Lee on Solent; preparations for Mediterranean; inadequacy of Supermarine Seagulls; deck landings; composition of flights aboard HMS Eagle; conversion to Fairey IIIDs; reasons for lack of flying from carrier; relationship with naval personnel. Aspects of period as pilot with Far East Flight 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 Digby, 1932: posting to unit after attending naval observers' course; duties and reaction to posting. Aspects of period with Fairey Long Range Monoplane Flight 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 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 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.