Description
Object description
British officer served with 74 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1939-1941 including Battle of Britain, 1940; served as test pilot in US, 1942; served with 602 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1942-1943; commanded 118 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1944; commanded 286 Wing, RAF in Italy, 1944-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Leeds, 1919-1937: family; education; interest in steam locomotives. Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1938-1939: selection procedure and medical, 9/1938; pattern of flying training; familiarisation flight with instructor; soloing; sitting examination; physical training; adjusting to service life. Recollections of period as pilot with 74 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1939-1940: reception on arrival at RAF Hornchurch; officer who committed suicide after contracting VD; appointment as squadron adjutant.
REEL 2 Continues: degree of authority of squadron adjutant; problems of keeping Supermarine Spitfire in formation; flight to Paris, France for Bastille Day, 8/1939; visit to embassy party in Paris; role of orderley officer; batman; personality clash between Irish officers in squadron; arrest for accidental attack on Hawker Hurricanes during Battle of Barking Creek, 9/1939; outcome of his court martial and Adolph 'Sailor' Malan's reaction to incident; incident of giving advice to Malan about malfunctioning undercarriage; loss of inexperienced pilots; operating over Dunkirk; second hand story of pilot escaping from France; reaction to squadron losses.
REEL 3 Continues: presence of clocks in Supermarine Spitfire; question of inaccuracy of publications especially with the spelling of his name; character of Supermarine Spitfire Mk II; opinion of Supermarine Spitfire Mk V; attitude to his squadron being given Supermarine Spitfire Mk V and Mk VIs; incident of German agent being captured; operating from RAF Castletown.
REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of period as test pilot in US, 1942: voyage from GB to US; duties in US; character of return voyage to GB. Aspects of operations as pilot with 602 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1942-1943: appointment to squadron; amusing story of encounter with Adolph 'Sailor' Malan. Aspects of period commanding 118 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1943-1944: posting to RAF Coltishall; attitude of station commander to presence of squadron on airfield; visit by King George VI; role escorting US bombers.
REEL 5 Continues: move to RAF Tangmere; refusal to fly with Supermarine Spitfire Mk V when Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX issued to Polish squadron; use of presurised cabined Supermarine Spitfire; period in Ireland. Aspects of operations as commanding 286 Wing, RAF in Italy, 1944-1945: posting to wing, 1/1944; relations with station commander; composition of wing; refuelling aircraft; return to GB; story of flying fighter aircraft at US base.
REEL 6 Continues: story of attending party at airbase. Aspects of period as officer with RAF in GB, 1945: character of RAF Castletown on return to GB; pay; discipline of pilots; relations with Adolph 'Sailor' Malan.