Description
Object description
British officer trained as pilot with No 4 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt, 6/1928-3/1929; served with 8 Sqdn, RAF in Aden Protectorate, 4/1929-11/1930; attended flying instructors course at Central Flying School, RAF at RAF Wittering in GB, 1/1931-3/1931; served as flying instructor with No 2 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Digby on detachment with Cambridge University Air Squadron at RAF Duxford, GB, 1931-1932; served as as flying instructor with Station Flight, RAF Duxford, GB, 1933-1934
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1904-1928: family; education; first flight in aircraft, 1920; unsuccessful application for short service commission in Royal Air Force; reaction of parents to his application to join Royal Air Force; employment with estate agents in Basingstoke and Portsmouth; reputation of Royal Air Force in 1920s; employment in London; social life. Aspects of enlistment and training as pilot with Royal Air Force in GB and No 4 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt, 5/1928-3/1929: selection for short service commission with Royal Air Force, 25/5/1928; posting to No 4 Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt, 6/1928; recieving wings, 3/1929.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of period as pilot with 8 Sqdn, RAF in Aden Protectorate, 4/1929-11/1930: purchase of uniform and kit; description of uniform; pith helmet; civilian clothes; tropical uniform; attitude to training and discipline; officers' messing arrangement; story of passing port in wrong direction; memories of station commander Squadron Leader Harry 'Reggie' Smart; story of punitive duties as orderly officer; description of flying training with Avro 504K; opinion of flying instructors; further flying training on Airco DH.9A; visit to Palestine; ground training.
REEL 3 Continues: daily flying and ground training schedule; sporting activities; problem of navigating over desert. Aspects of period attending flying instructor course at Central Flying School, RAF at RAF Wittering in GB, 1/1931-3/1931: attitude to rank in Royal Air Force; use of dual controls; comparison of flying in Middle East and GB.
REEL 4 Continues: opinion of own flying skills; description of training as flying instructor. Aspects of period as flying instructor with 2nd Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Digby on detachment as instructor with Cambridge University Air Squadron at RAF Duxford, GB, 1931-1932: opinion of Avro 504N and Armstrong Whitworth Atlas; attitude to teaching university students; question of persuading students to join Royal Air Force; attitude to service with Royal Air Force
REEL 5 Continues: later story of receiving permanent commission with Royal Air Force, 1/6/1936; morale in Royal Air Force during 1930s; origin of Lord Trenchard's nickname 'Boom'. Aspects of period as flying instructor with Station Flight at RAF Duxford, GB, 1933-1934: duties as flying instructor and lecturer with Cambridge University Air Squadron; accommodation; problem of 'finger trouble' during flying; daily routine; turnover of students; flying hours; memories of Flight Lieutenant Harry Broadhurst; opinion of value of aerobatics; pre-testing aircraft prior to flying lessons; method of teaching aerobatics to students
REEL 6 Continues: formation flying; description of 'falling leaf' manoeuvre; standard training programme for university students and Royal Air Force personnel; story of allowing Douglas Bader to take controls of Armstrong Whitworth Atlas during refresher flying lesson, 7/3/1933; further flights with Douglas Bader; reaction of commanding officer to flights; opinion of Douglas Bader's ability as pilot; opinion of film 'Reach for the Sky' (1956); further comments on character of Douglas Bader.
