Description
Object description
British NCO served as air mechanic with Royal Naval Air Service Mullion in, GB, 1915-1917; served with 6th Wing Royal Naval Air Service in Italy, 1917-1918
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1895-1915: education; engineering apprenticeship with Vauxhall Motors. Aspects of enlistment as air mechanic in Royal Naval Air Service, London, GB, 11/1915: reasons for enlistment; trade tests; kitting out. Aspects of basic training as air mechanic at Royal Naval Barracks Chatham, GB, 11/1915-2/1916: reception; reaction to trivial disciplinary offences and punishment; reaction to lack of privacy in contrast to factory conditions; period of training stripping engines at Sunbeam Motor Car Coy Ltd Works in Acton, 2/1916. Recollections of period as air mechanic with Royal Naval Air Service at Royal Naval Air Station Mullion, GB, 1916-1917: initial training and work as armourer; course in air compressors; construction of station; lack of flying opportunities; workshop duties overhauling engines; construction, equipment and crew of Coastal Class Airships; difficulty in taking off carrying full load in Coastal Class Airship for sea patrols.
REEL 2 Continues: role in inventing special flare bomb; initial problems with Sunbeam Engine of Coastal Class Airships including forward engine's role in providing air flow for central air ballonet, method of restarting, effects of collapse of central ballonet, subsequent replacement of engines and successful adaptations; problems in landing Coastal Class Airship using trail rope; reaction to first airship flight; relations with civilians; motorcycle trips; conditions of service; daily routine; practical bomb dropping tests; workshop and armourers duties; lack of use of bombs; maintainance of wireless generator engine.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of period as air mechanic with No 6 Wing, Royal Naval Air Service and No 6 Wing, Royal Air Force at Otranto and Taranto, Italy, 1917-1918: train journey on draft to Otranto, 1917 wing's anti-submarine role; aircraft; fitting bomb release gear; cannibalising engines; working methods of documenting state of engines and aircraft; visibility of submarines in Adriatic Sea; failed attempt by Short Type 184 seaplanes to make torpedo raid on ports in Albania including use of motorboat to tow Short Type 184 seaplanes, special torpedo rack, secrecy and failure of mission in bad weather; use of Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter to bomb ports in Albania; story of ditching in sea during flying test; daily routine.
REEL 4 Continues: method of launching seaplanes; problems with Felixstowe F.3 flying boat; tented accommodation; malaria epidemic; rations; lice problem; sea bathing; latrines; story of reception from Italian civilians during visit to isolated village; relations with Italian civilians; stories illustrating reaction to Italian civilians' cruelty towards animals; visits to Italian restaurants and bars.
REEL 5 Continues: relations with Italian civilians; learning Italian; Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops bombing raids; reaction to formation of Royal Air Force, 1/4/1918; relations with officers; move to Taranto, 11/1918; concert party activities; story of pet lizard; reads letter of recommendation from engineer officer, 10/1918; interview following application for commission and desire to transfer to Royal Navy; Armistice Day celebrations at Vauxhall Motors Ltd during leave in GB, 11/11/1918; leisurely return journey back to Italy, 11/1918.
REEL 6 Continues: minimal duties supervising working parties; sports day activities including tug of war with Italian team; amusing story of concert party member dressed in drag; application by Vauxhall Motors Ltd to secure his early release; demobilisation procedure, 2/1919; importance of war service in successful post-war career.