Interview with Edward Wilson Whitley

British apprentice trained at No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF at RAF Halton in GB, 1937-1939; air fitter served with 819 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Illustrious in GB coastal waters, Bermuda and Mediterranean, 1/1940-1/1941; served with 830 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm on Malta, 1/1941-9/1942; various appointments as petty officer and officer with Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1942-1972

REEL 1 Background in Holmfirth, GB, 1921-1937: family circumstances; education; early interest in aviation. Recollections of period as apprentice at No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF at RAF Halton, 1937-1939: decision to enlist in Royal Air Force, 1937; selection examination; pattern of workshop work; work on aircraft canvas; rigging aircraft; sheet metal work; daily routine; nature of accommodation; discipline and reasons for removal of apprentices; emphasis on sporting activities; playing in band; uniform worn by apprentices; origins of apprentices; completing course; nature of education recieved; transferring to Royal Navy, 1939; naval uniform worn; visit by senior German Air Force officer; passing out of school as qualified air fitter, 12/1939; responsibilities of air fitters and other members of an aircrafts ground crew. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as air fitter with 819 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm in GB and aboard HMS Illustrious in GB, Bermuda and Mediterranean, 1/1940-1/1941: drafting to squadron at HMS Peregrine, Royal Naval Air Station Ford, GB, 1940; deck landing trials on HMS Illustrious; squadrons embarked aboard aircraft carrier; damage to ship during work up at Bermuda; working on Fairey Swordfish aircraft; promotion to leading air fitter; accommodation on board; problems of maintenance aboard aircraft carrier; character of fire screens; moving aircraft and damage that could occur; dangers of working on flight deck; daily routine; incident of fatigue; method of pinning wings back on Fairey Swordfish; early operations in Mediterranean; relations with aircrew; preparing aircraft for Taranto Raid, Italy, 11/11/1940; rapid repairs to damaged aircraft; degree of contact from aircrew after Taranto Raid, Italy, 11/11/1940-12/11/1940; damage to some aircraft; problems locking aircraft pin during raid on Bengazi, Libya. REEL 3 Continues: German Air Force attacks on the ship off Pantelleria Island, Italy, 10/1/1941; hits on the ship; attempts to reach action station in hangar; situation in hangar; starting hangar spray system to put out fires; sight of damaged flight deck; role passing ammunition; bailing out water from listing ship; clearing up after raid; arrival in Malta; leaving the aircraft carrier on Malta, 24/1/1941. Recollections of operations as leading air fitter with 830 Naval Air Sqdn, Fleet Air Arm on Malta, 1/1941-9/1942: character of squadron; initial conditions at RAF Hal Far; modifying Fairey Swordfish; role of squadron including transporting agents; maintaining Vickers Wellingtons; billetting with Maltese and ration shortages; nature of Axis air raids; relations with Maltese civilians; use of aircraft pens; sight of German Air Force aircraft being shot down; aiding anti-aircraft crew; anti-aircraft defences. REEL 4 Continues: efforts to obtain rapid turn round of aircraft from airfield, 1942; amusing story of rediscovery of lost Bristol Blenheim; replacement of aircraft losses; memories of arrival of Operation Pedestal convoy, 8/1942; physical condition on leaving Malta by Consolidated Liberator aircraft. Aspects of period as petty officer with Fleet Air Arm and aboard HMS Holm Sound in GB and Far East, 1942-1945: attending conversion course to artificer at RAF Hednesford; duties aboard HMS Holm Sound in Far East, 1945; instructional duties at Henstridge, 1943-1945; promotion to petty officer. Recollections of various appointments as officer with Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1946-1972: commissioning 1948; memories of Lieutenant Commander Peter Twiss during Fairey Gannet trials at HMS Gannet, Royal Naval Air Station, Eglinton, 1949; pattern of career, 1951-1957; closure of HMS Merlin, Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle; duties as engineer officer aboard HMS Murray; duties with Admiralty; relations between Admiralty and commercial suppliers. REEL 5 Continues: posting as Air Engineering Officer with Royal Naval Test Sqdn; introduction courses to the Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 and Rolls-Royce Spey Engine; nature of experimental trials of Blackburn Buccaneer S.1; decision to carry out hot weather trials in United States of America; equipment and spares carried by support team; character of deck trials; description of the Blackburn Buccaneer S.1; versatility of the Blackburn Buccaneer S.1; air activity at Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, Boscombe Down; duties as Forward Planning Officer at Fleetlands; preparing to hovercraft for military service in Falkland Islands; surveying hovercraft in the Falkland Islands; work as servicing manger with Royal Aircraft Establishment Bedford after retirement from Royal Navy, 1972-1982; retirement after service at Royal Aircraft Establishment West Freugh, 1987.