Brown, Cyril Bob (Oral history)

British NCO served as pilot with 245 Sqdn, No 13 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in Northern Ireland, 10/1940-11/1940 including Battle of Britain; served with 253 Sqdn, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 11/1940-10/1941; officer served as pilot with 616 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 10/1941-5/1942; served with 532 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 9/1942-1/1943; served as test pilot with Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down, GB, 1943-1946

REEL 1 Background in Southend-on-Sea, GB, 1921-1939: family; education. Aspects of enlistment and training as NCO with Royal Air Force in GB, 1939-1940: joining Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1/1939; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; reputation of German Air Force, 1939; opinion of Royal Air Force flying and tactical training. Recollections of operations as pilot with 245 Sqdn, No 13 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in Northern Ireland, 10/1940-11/1940: posting to squadron at RAF Aldergrove, 4/10/1940; status of squadron; flying experience gained including night flying. Recollections of operations as pilot with 253 Sqdn, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 11/1940-10/1941: posting to squadron at RAF Kenley, 11/1940; inconclusive nature of aerial combat after Battle of Britain; prior recollection of squadron morale in 245 Sqdn; attitude of civilians in Belfast towards war; opinion of Hawker Hurricane; squadron rule that pilots wear Sidcot Suit as fire precaution; question of importance of Battle of Britain at time; transfer from RAF Aldergrove to 253 Sqdn at RAF Kenley, 11/1940; initial impressions of squadron on arrival at RAF Kenley. REEL 2 Continues: character of 253 Sqdn; presence of Czech and French members of squadron, 11/1940; nature of squadron relationships; attempt of station commander to tighten up discipline at RAF Leconfield, 1/1941; tactic of using 'weaver' to protect squadron; change in Fighter Command strategy, 1/1941; policy of using bombers as bait to encourage German fighters; attitude towards fighter sweeps over France, 1/1942-2/1942. Recollections of operations as pilot with 616 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 10/1941-5/1942: attitude to operating Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB; character of station commander Group Captain Basil Embry; wounding in eye whilst attacking Dornier Do 17 over Leicester, 25/5/1942; quality of medical treatment received in Rauceby Hospital, Sleaford. REEL 3 Continues: casualties from 1000 bomber raid in Rauceby Hospital, 5/1942; recovery from wounds; problems of flying with one eye and transfer to night fighters; success against Focke-Wulf 190 over Pas-de-Calais, France, 5/1942. Aspects of operations as pilot with 532 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 9/1942-1/1943: work on night interceptions using Hawker Hurricane and Douglas Havoc Turbinlite combination; reasons why system was not productive; prior recollections of attempts to intercept German Baedecker raids on Norwich and York, 4/1942; attitude towards Baedecker raids; counter-tactics employed against German Baedecker Raids; reasons for applying for test pilot work, late 1942. Recollections of period as test pilot with Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down in GB, 1943-1946: role testing aircraft for Allied tactical air forces; cannon and rocket testing; characteristics of Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and Hawker Typhoon; effect of thin wings of Hawker Tempest causing gun firing problems. REEL 4 Continues: testing Tallboy and Grand Slam bombs, 1943-1944; impressions of flying early version of Gloster Meteor, 1943. Reflections of service with Royal Air Force during Second World War, 1939-1945: lack of contact with Lack of Moral Fibre (LMF) cases; reaction of pilots in Fighter Command about being rested after tour of duty; attitude of public to Royal Air Force during Second World War.