Wood, Austen (IWM interview)

British NCO pilot trained on Tiger Moth and Hotspur Glider with Glider Pilot Regt in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Ashton under Lyne, 1926-1944: family background and social circumstances; education; interest in aviation; outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; training activities with Air Training Corps, 1942-1943, including lectures, summer camps, first flights and gliding lessons; air raid shelter; blackout; question of German air raids; food rationing; introduction of female teachers at school; work as assistant auditor, 1944; background to volunteering for RAF air crew, 1943-1944, including attending selection board at Padgate, acceptance for training as wireless operator/gunner, attending selection board at Cosford, attending selection board at Scarborough, ultimate rejection and discharge from deferred service, 12/1944; call up for army, 12/1944. Period at Primary Training Unit, Alexandria Barracks, Bromhill, 12/1944-1/1945: kitting out. REEL 2 Continues: accommodation; nature of basic training. Period of continuation training with King's Liverpool Regt, Formby, 1/1945-5/1945: relationship with NCOs and ORs; weapons training on ranges; gas chamber test; route marches; VE Day. 8/5/1945; volunteering for Glider Pilot Regt and passing selection board. Recollections of period training with Glider Pilot Regt Depot, Fargo Camp, Larkhill, 7/1945-11/1945: grass parade ground; PT; infantry training and initiative tests; flight in Hadrian glider; weapons training; drill; Recollections of training to fly Tiger Moth with No 22 Elementary Flying Training School, Mandalls Airfield, Cambridge, 12/1945-3/1946: ground training including airmanship, navigation, signals and theory of flight; dual control instruction including taxiing and taking off. REEL 3 Continues: dual control instruction including climbing and trimming aircraft, aircraft controls and instruments, progression of training and method of landing using gliding approach; dispute with instructor; aerobatics including loops, stall turns, spinning, side-slipping, stall approach and flick rolls; formation flying; instrument flying under hood; passing final chief flying instructor test, 26/3/1946; opinion of Tiger Moth. REEL 4 Recollections of flying Hotspur glider with No 1 Glider Training School, RAF, Croughton, 4/1946-5/1946: use of bicycles; pattern of training; nature of Hotspur including controls and instruments; opinion of instructor; nature of typical glider flight towed by Miles Master including pre-flight checks, attachment of tow rope, take off procedure, high and low tow positions, circuits, casting off tow and landing technique; first solo, 17/4/1946; navigational flights in Oxford; award of wings as 2nd pilot and promotion to sergeant. Period as 2nd pilot on Hansa glider at Heavy Glider Conversion Unit, Elsham Wolds, 5/1946-6/1946: teaming up with 1st pilot; opinion of Horsa; end of flying duties. Various postings prior to demobilisation, 1/1947. Post-war career: career as auctioneer and valuer; membership of Glider Pilot Regt Assoc, Air Crew Assoc and Vintage Glider Club.