Interview with Percival Graham Leggett

British student with Hawker Aircraft Ltd in GB, 1937-1939; officer trained with No 1 Initial Training Wing, RAF at Cambridge, GB, 9/1939-3/1940; trained as pilot with No 11 Elementary Flying School, RAF at Perth, No 8 Service Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Montrose and No 5 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Aston Down in GB, 3/1940-9/1940; served as pilot with 245 Sqdn, No 13 Group, Fighter Command, RAF at RAF Aldergrove, GB, 9/1940; served with 46 Sqdn, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 10/1940-12/1940 including Battle of Britain; served with 96 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 12/1940-3/1941; served as instructor with No 56 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 4/1941-6/1941; served with 249 Sqdn, RAF on Malta, 6/1941-4/1942; served with Aden Defence Flight in Aden, 4/1942-10/1942; served with 73 Sqdn, No 244 Wing, Desert Air Force, RAF in North Africa, 10/1942-6/1943; served as instructor with No 73 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt, 1943-1944; served as station adjutant at RAF Kirton Lindsay, GB, 1944-1945; served as adjutant with 8 Sqdn, Far East Air Force, RAF at RAF Minneriya, Ceylon, 8/1945-10/1945; served as station administration officer with RAF Ratmalana, Ceylon, 1945-1946; served with 234 Sqdn, Fighter Command, RAF at RAF Boxted, GB, 1946-1947; served as staff officer with Organisation Branch, Headquarters, Fighter Command at RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore, GB, 1947-1949; commanded 32 Sqdn, Middle East Air Force, RAF in Cyprus and Canal Zone, Egypt, 1950-1953; student at Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell, GB, 1954; served as staff officer with Director General of Royal Air Force Organisation at Air Ministry, London, GB, 1955-1957; served as station commander at RAF Dyce and RAF Ouston, GB, 1957-1959

REEL 1 Background in Wembley, GB, 1921-1937: family; construction of model aircraft; impressions made by Hendon Air Show; air activity over north London; reaction to first flight, 1932. Recollections of period as student with Hawker Aircraft Ltd in GB, 1937-1939: character of factory at Kingston upon Thames; duties in factory; description of biplane fighter cockpits; production runs for foreign governments; adaptations of Hawker Hart; fitting hook to Hawker Audax; aircraft communications; strengthening of Hawker Demon for dive-bombing; fitting hook to naval biplanes; experimental work on prototype Hawker Tornado and Hawker Typhoon; problems gearing two engines together; question of length of time taken to get aircraft from drawing board to operational stage; Sidney Camm's design ethos. REEL 2 Continues: initial impressions of Hawker Hurricane; introduction of retractable undercarriage on Hawker Hurricane; reasons why Hawker Hurricane could not be further enhanced; pay and conditions; trade union activities in factory; range of trades; doping of fabric onto aircraft; introduction of blind flying panel into Hawker Hurricane; armament of aircraft; development of aircraft propellers; company's position in aircraft world; opinion of Sidney Camm; opinion of Hawker Tornado; degree of knowledge of Supermarine Spitfire; attitude towards Supermarine Spitfire; gearing up for war production with new factory at Langley. REEL 3 Continues: memories of the Munich Crisis, 9/1938; interest in aviation literature. Aspect of enlistment as aircraftman with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) in London, GB, 1939: selection interview; parent's attitude to his enlistment; learning Morse Code and Rules of the Air; background of volunteers; mobilisation, 3/9/1939. Aspects of training as NCO with No 1 Initial Training Wing, RAF at Cambridge, 9/1939-3/1940: move to Cambridge; lack of flying training prior to outbreak of war; accommodation in Magdelen College; navigational training; daily routine; use of Link Trainer; memories of Johnnie Johnson and other fellow NCOs; question of obtaining nicknames. Recollections of flying training as NCO with RAF at No 11 Elementary Flying Training School, RAF at Perth, GB, 3/1940-5/1940: arrival at school and start of flying instruction, 3/1940; familiarisation with De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth. REEL 4 Continues: flying aircraft straight and level; climbing and gliding; stalling aircraft; medium turns to right and left; taking off into wind and rate on turns; gliding approach and landing; opinion of De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth; relations with flying instructor Sergeant Vernon; pupils who failed course and allocation of successful pupils to different roles after training; flight with Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) prior to soloing; first solo flight 19/4/1940. REEL 5 Continues: gliding approach and landing; reaction to carrying out first solo; spinning aircraft; spinning in De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth; attitude to spinning; problems with spinning North American Harvard; reasons for concentrating on gliding approaches and landings; sideslipping aircraft; low-level flying over land and water; carrying out steep turns; question of stalling in steep turn; technique for dealing with engine fire; story of having fire in ammunition bay whilst flying on Malta. REEL 6 Continues: abandoning aircraft; restarting engine in flight; restarting engine during mock dogfight; precautionary landings; forced landings; story of forced landing in Hawker Hurricane; nature of aerobatics practiced; completion of elementary flying training and night flying course at RAF Yatesbury, 5/1940; character of night flying training. Recollections of flying training as NCO with RAF at No 8 Service Flying Training School, RAF at RAF Montrose, GB, 6/1940-9/1940: posting to school; character of Miles Master; explanation of term 'pitch'; reasons for restrictions on aerobatics with Miles Masters; cross-country flights. REEL 7 Continues: navigation on cross-country flights; weather problems on cross-country flights; flying accidents and casualties during training; attitude of chief instructors to pupils and instructors misdemeanours; flying experience of instructors; air-to-ground firing exercises; air-to-air firing exercises; percentage of hits on targets; importance of formation flying in training and formations flown; dangers of flying V formation operationally. REEL 8 Continues: importance of relying on instruments on night flights; problems of flying at night; use of glim lights and flare paths to land at night; reasons for pupils failing course; later method of improving night vision with 95 Sqdn, RAF; completion of course. Aspects of period of flying training as NCO with RAF at No 5 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Aston Down, 9/1940: posting to unit; familiarisation with airfield; emergency take off; degree of introduction to Hawker Hurricane; first flight in Hawker Hurricane; prior bombing practice at RAF Montrose; selection interview for fighter operations. REEL 9 Continues: aerobatic exercise in which he looped Hawker Hurricane for first time; opinion of Hawker Hurricane; rolling off the top; instrument flying exercise; top speed of Hawker Hurricane; handling oxygen supply; loss of engine power during mock dogfight and subsequent forced landing; treatment by Home Guard after forced landing; origin of training aircraft; height at which oxygen was used; degree of briefing on air fighting tactics; instructions in air combat; instructors at training unit; pre-war fighter attack tactics; lack of discussion about instructors' experiences in France; social life; civilian attitude to Royal Air Force personnel. REEL 10 Continues: Aspects of operations as pilot with 245 Sqdn, No 13 Group, Fighter Command, RAF at RAF Aldergrove, 9/1940: move to squadron; organisation of squadron; loss of pilot in flying accident. Recollections of operations as pilot with 46 Sqdn, No 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB during Battle of Britain, 9/1940-11/1940: joining squadron at satellite field of RAF North Weald at RAF Stapleford Tawney; billeting with local families; change in German tactics; Royal Air Force policy for use of Hawker Hurricane and patrolling; attack by Messerschmitt Bf 109s on third sortie; reaction to initial air combat; nature of air combat; duration of patrols and fuel consumption; number of patrols flown daily; duration Messerschmitt Bf 109s activity over GB; question of German Air Force attacking civilians; allocation of aircraft; question of personalisation of aircraft; flying clothing worn. REEL 11 Continues: aerial combat in which Messerschmitt Bf 109 latched onto his tail; discovery after combat that he had shot down an aircraft; character of gunsight and harmonisation of guns; German fighter tactics during 10/1940; question of high number of claims made by pilots; visibility through aircraft's hood; opinion of Messerschmitt Bf 109; rugged construction of Hawker Hurricane; allocation of ground crew; pre-flight checks; speed with which aircraft could be scrambled; rigger's pre-flight checks; fitter's running up of engine. REEL 12 Continues: role of armourers; instrument mechanic and wireless mechanic duties; second and third line servicing of aircraft; encouragement of pilots to take an interest in their aircraft; reliance of newer pilots on experience of flight commanders; lack of briefings; squadron members; daily routine and recreational activities; visits to parent's home in Wembley; story of shooting down Italian Air Force Fiat BR.20 Cicogna bomber, 11/11/1940. REEL 13 Continues: following Italian bomber down to crash in forest near Harwich; sight of Italian fighter escort; number of Italian bombers shot down; brief posting to 145 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Tangmere. Recollections of operations as pilot with 96 Sqdn, No 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF in GB, 12/1940-3/1941: posting to Hawker Hurricane night fighter squadron; character of RAF Cranage; memories of squadron commander Squadron Leader Richard 'Boozy' Kellett and other pilots; move to RAF Squires Gate near Blackpool to cover raids on Liverpool; problems of spotting German aircraft at night; character of ground-to-air control; operating at night; attempts to improve pilot's night vision; later story of seeing exhaust of Martin Baltimore at night over North Africa; German use of Lorenz navigational beam. REEL 14 Continues: navigating at night; method of finding RAF Cranage; daily routine; social recreation in Blackpool; re-equipping with Boulton Paul Defiant, 2/1941; incident of Polish rear gunner wanting to continue pursuit of German bomber over Irish Sea. Aspects of period as instructor with No 56 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge, GB, 4/1941-6/1941: posting to unit, 1/4/1941; role training new pilots in operational procedures; character of gunnery training on ranges; location of cine-camera in aircraft; need to train Commonwealth pilots in bad weather flying; change in training ethos between 1940 and 1941; leaving unit, 4/6/1941. Aspects of voyage aboard HMS Furious and HMS Ark Royal from GB to Malta via Gibraltar, 6/1941: embarking aboard HMS Furious at Glasgow; briefing on board; occupying flying operations cubicle. REEL 15 Continues: conditions on board; arrival in Gibraltar, 26/6/1941; transfer of Hawker Hurricanes between HMS Furious and HMS Ark Royal at Gibraltar; briefing for flight from HMS Ark Royal to Malta; instructions for flying from flight deck; taking off from aircraft carrier; attitude to flying over water; uncomfortable nature of flight; initial impressions of Malta; landing at RAF Ta Kali. Recollections of operations as pilot with 249 Sqdn, RAF on Malta, 6/1941-4/1942: posting to squadron; impressions of Squadron Leader Robert 'Butch' Barton; other members of squadron; shift system; nature of combat over Malta in mid-1941; opinion of Italian Air Force opposition and tactics; introduction of Macci MC.200 Saetta by Italian Air Force; fraternisation with Maltese civilians; character of RAF Ta Kali; lack of urgency in building protective shelter for aircraft; RAF air activity from Malta; bombing attack on Gela Airfield on Sicily, Italy. REEL 16 Continues: degree of threat from Italian Air Force; reputation of Adrian Warburton; flying clothing worn; problems using of goggles; winter clothing worn; accommodation for pilots; story of German Air Force attack on pilots' accommodation in hotel, 3/1942; wealthy Maltese civilians building of underground living space; degree of contact with Maltese; character of Maltese buses; Italian Air Force bombing of the harbour; formation of Malta Night Fighting Unit. REEL 17 Continues: daily routine during 1941; scrambling to encounter Italian Air Force; use of herringbone formation; types of operations flown; anti-aircraft fire over Valetta Harbour; return of German Air Force, 12/1941; shooting down of Macci MC.200 Saetta near coast of Sicily, Italy, 17/7/1941; Italian Air Force tactics over Malta; comparison between Hawker Hurricane and Macci MC.200 Saetta; use of Vaux Air Filter; problems of dust on take off on Malta and in North Africa; story of close encounter with Flying Officer Robert 'Tommy' Thompson a member of the Malta Night Fighting Unit, night 6/10/1941-7/10/1941; speed of pilot reaction. REEL 18 Continues: first German Air Force attack on RAF Ta Kali; character of anti-aircraft fire on Malta; anti-aircraft defences at RAF Ta Kali; taking cover in slit trench during raid; shelters on airfield; lack of blast pens; effect of bomb blast on Malta and in North Africa; repair of airfield; arrival of fifteen Supermarine Spitfires on island, 4/1942; flying time from German airfields on Sicily, Italy to Malta; operating from RAF Luqa; forced landing at RAF Luqa after engine failure, 23/2/1942; damage to aircraft during forced landing; opinion of Hawker Hurricane. REEL 19 Continues: scrambling from RAF Luqa to meet initial threat from German Air Force, 12/1941; bailing out of Hawker Hurricane (DG 615) after shooting down by Messerschmitt Bf 109, 21/12/1941; hospitalisation for wounds; German Air Force tactics; problems assessing degree of success against German Air Force; opinion of Messerschmitt Bf 109E and Messerschmitt Bf 109F; opinion of Junkers Ju 88; opinion of German fighter pilots; markings of German aircraft; RAF camouflage patterns; memories of fellow pilots in squadron including Flying Officer Cecil 'Pissy' Davis; activities in crew room including censoring letters. REEL 20 Continues: question of censorship of officers' mail; use of Form 700 and allocation of ground crew; reasons why his aircraft wasn't serviced during occasion when he forced landed; allocation of aircraft; question of individual aircraft handling characteristics; aircraft inspections and servicing aircraft; problems landing on waterlogged airfields; bar culture in Valetta; daytime recreational activities; night-time recreational activities; alcoholic drinks favoured by pilots; drinks and rations available on airfield; self-contained nature of squadron. REEL 21 Continues: casualties amongst Hawker Hurricane pilots; German Air Force targeting of pilots' mess, 3/1942; attitude of Italians and Germans to progressing war; air-sea facilities available; understanding that German air sea rescue floatplanes would not be attacked; extension of three month tour on Malta; leaving Malta for Egypt by Short Sunderland Flying Boat, 4/1942; situation in Egypt on arrival from Malta; attitude to leaving Malta; hospitalisation for problems with sinusitis. Aspects of period as pilot with Aden Defence Flight, RAF in Aden Protectorate, 4/1942-10/1942: posting to Aden Protectorate; role defending Aden Protectorate from potential Vichy French threat; climate; playing bridge; effect of air conditions on aircraft; treatment received for sinus problem; recreational activities; transporting Vultee V-11-GB aircraft for Turkish Air Force from Aden Protectorate to Palestine via Egypt. REEL 22 Continues: return flight. Recollections of operations as pilot with 73 Sqdn, No 244 Wing, Desert Air Force, RAF in North Africa, 10/1942-6/1943: request to fly Supermarine Spitfires and background to posting to Hawker Hurricane night fighter unit; reception at squadron; familiar nature of personnel serving in Royal Air Force commands; nature of postings within Royal Air Force; attack on airstrip by Italian Air Force; living in tented accommodation; shaving in desert; flying clothing and footwear worn; role of Army Liaison Officer; artillery barrage at start of Battle of El Alamein, 23/10/1942; start of night operations over El Alamein battle line; shooting down parachute flare; night navigation in desert; problems with sandstorm during landing; sight from air of artillery barrage at start of Battle of El Alamein, 23/10/1942; lack of German opposition. REEL 23 Continues: duration of sorties; prior recollection of duration of long distance flight from HMS Ark Royal to Malta; use of long range tanks; chasing Junkers Ju 88 with long range tanks in Tunisia; ground-to-air control in desert with Hawker Hurricanes; character of night interdiction operations; attack on suspected German supply dump; method of attacking ground targets at night; unit casualties; messing facilities on airstrips; daily routine; visit by Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) party; rations; alcohol supply including acquiring vat of Italian wine. REEL 24 Continues: life in the desert; aerial activity; airstrip defence; amusing arrival of formation of United States Army Air Force North American B-25 Mitchells on desert airstrip and subsequent entertainment, 1/1943; state of North African coastal towns; location of Castel Benito Airfield, Libya; visit to Tripoli, Libya; exploring wrecked Axis aircraft; occasion of landing on airfield under artillery fire; operating aircraft from desert airstrips including threat of landmines; aircraft maintenance in desert; use of cannons. REEL 25 Continues: damage caused by cannon shell; opinion of Africa Korps capabilities; attitude to using Hawker Hurricane by 1943 and re-equipping with Supermarine Spitfire; character of Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB including armament; flying with canopy open in Hawker Hurricane; visibility in Supermarine Spitfire; performance of Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB; process of converting to Supermarine Spitfire; cockpit layout; change in role to day fighter squadron; use of finger four formation; question of adoption of unofficial formations in air; preparations for attack on Pantelleria Island, Italy; posting to No 73 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt. REEL 26 Continues: Aspects of period as instructor at No 73 Operational Training Unit, RAF at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt, 6/1943-3/1944: interview with Squadron Leader John Grandy; origins of students; impressions of Squadron Leader Neville Duke; daily training routine; accident in which pupil was killed during collision on runway; investigation into accident; recreational activities; use of Fairchild Argus as runabout; relations with Egyptians; leaving Egypt, 3/1944; flight aboard Douglas DC-4 from Egypt to GB; initial impressions on arrival in GB. Aspects of period training as assistant station adjutant at RAF Northolt, GB, 1944: policy of resting pilots; attitude of pilots to taking administrative posts; character of RAF Northolt; attending course at School of Administration; role of station adjutants and administrative tasks; disciplinary matters. REEL 27 Continues: Aspects of period as station adjutant at RAF Kirton in Lindsey, GB, 1944-1945: lack of disciplinary problems; incident of forgery and NCO who was court martialled for theft; nature of airfield; reaction to end war in Europe, 8/5/1945; character of station commander Group Captain John Hawtrey; arrangement of family affairs on overseas posting. Aspects of period as adjutant to 8 Sqdn, Far East Air Force, RAF at RAF Minneriya, Ceylon, 8/1945-10/1945: voyage from GB to India including reaction to hearing of dropping of atomic bombs on Japan whilst in transit at Bombay, India, 8/1945; train journey across India on route to Ceylon; arrival in Columbo. REEL 28 Continues: arrival at RAF Minneriya; state of airfield; role of squadron; story of flight in Consolidated Liberator across Indian Ocean to Malaya in poor weather conditions; opinion of Consolidated Liberator; use of autopilot; facilities on board aircraft; recreational activities; aircraft paint scheme; winding up of squadron, 10/1945. Aspects of period as station administration officer at RAF Ratmalana, Ceylon, 1945-1946: role of airfield; attitude of station commander; duties disposing of hutted accommodation and RAF equipment; demobilisation of station personnel. REEL 29 Continues: winding up station; road accident on route to airfield; voyage aboard HMT Capetown Castle from India to GB, 1946; reasons for taking extended commission on return to GB. Recollections of period as pilot with 234 Sqdn, Fighter Command at RAF Boxted, GB, 1946-1947: joining unit; familiarisation with Gloster Meteor; cockpit layout of Gloster Meteor; visibility from cockpit; first take off; aircraft handling; landing in jet aircraft; use of tricycle undercarriage; landing speed; story of occasion when he flew aircraft from grass strip during air display at Marshall of Cambridge. REEL 30 Continues: organisation of squadron activities; story of incident that occurred to commanding officer in Malta; brief posting to 245 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Horsham St Faith; background to posting to Headquarters, Fighter Command, RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore; formation flying; role as day interception squadron against Soviet threat; armament of Gloster Meteor; limitations of Gloster Meteor against MiG fighters; atmosphere in squadron. Aspects of period as administrative officer at Organisation Branch, Headquarters Fighter Command, RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore, 1947-1949: character of married accommodation; duties organising deployment of squadrons; general movement of command's units to eastern half of the country. REEL 31 Continues: Recollections of period commanding 32 Sqdn, RAF in Cyprus and Canal Zone in Egypt, 1950-1953: background to taking command of squadron; planning squadron goodwill tour of Turkey; postponement of tour after loss of aircraft carrying British air attaché; character of goodwill tour; impressions of Turkish Air Force; proposed active service role of unit in Middle East; duties of squadron commander; air gunnery practice; aircraft speed; character of squadron aerobatic team. REEL 32 Continues: keeping up flying practice prior to posting; character of De Havilland DH.110 Vampire including armament; opinion of Red Arrows display team; De Havilland DH.100 Vampire's power and layout; squadron interception exercise in GB; question of locating jet squadrons on Cyprus and Malta; reaction of Cypriot civilians to initial appearance of jet aircraft; background to move to Canal Zone in Egypt; duties in Canal Zone; instillation of homing beacon in Troodos Mountains, Cyprus; ground-to-air control; interception exercises with Avro Lincoln bombers; personal method of attacking aircraft; range of De Havilland DH.100 Vampire; state of readiness; exercising against US Navy's Seventh Fleet. REEL 33 Continues: mission to reconnoitre airfields on the reinforcement route in Africa from Egypt down to South Africa followed by execution of proving flight; engine problems during proving flight near River Nile; hearing news of posting to Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell, GB, 11/1953; flying clothing worn; political situation in Canal Zone; evacuation of families from married quarters; precautions taken during trips into Suez and during manfestations of unrest. Aspects of period as student at Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell, GB, 1954: opinion of time at college; aims of syllabus. Aspects of period as staff officer with Director General of Royal Air Force Organisation in Air Ministry, London, GB, 1955-1957: wearing of civilian clothes; duties. REEL 34 Continues: memories of trips to Hendon Air Display in 1930s; flying Avro Anson; memories of Director General Air Vice Marshal Richard Jordan; duties; lack of pressure on air force with world wide commitments; life style in Surrey. Recollections of period as station commander at RAF Dyce, GB, 1958-1959: prior recollections of station; story of transporting car from Cyprus to GB, 1953; Royal Auxiliary Air Force units inhabiting airfield; duties meeting Very Important Persons (VIPs) including Duke of Edinburgh; attitude to posting; character of airfield; reaction to disbandment of Royal Auxiliary Air Force; question of value for money of Royal Auxiliary Air Force; encounter with Leslie Caron at theatre in Edinburgh and highland dancing exploits with Gordon Highlanders; winding down of station and posting to RAF Ouston. REEL 35 Continues: nature of posting and taking voluntary retirement, 1959; attitude to having served with the Royal Air Force, 1939-1959; return to civilian life after 1959.