Interview with Robert Joseph Tunstall

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Description

Object description

British officer served as engineering officer with Fleet Air Arm in North Africa, Middle East, GB and Trinidad, 1941-1945; served as engineering officer with Fleet Air Arm attached to Royal Australian Navy in Korean War, 1950-1951

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Stepney, London, GB, 1919-1939: family; education. Recollections of period as engineer officer with Fleet Air Arm in North Africa, Middle East, GB and Trinidad, 1941-1945: posting to North Africa as engineer; recovery of Fairey Albacore from front line; test flying aircraft in Lebanon; problems returning to GB, 1943; dropping agent behind Axis lines in desert; postings in GB, 1943-1945; duties closing down HMS Goshawk, Royal Naval Air Station, Piarco, Trinidad; pattern of career, 1946-1965. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of enlistment and training with Royal Navy in GB, 1939-1940: background to joining Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 1939; early interest in aviation; selection procedure; Mrs Tunstall description of his pay limitations; flying kit worn; adjusting to service life; incident of discipline at HMS St Vincent, Gosport; fate of fellow recruits; experiences during Korean War. REEL 3 Continues: pattern of flying training; background to allocation as engineering officer with Fleet Air Arm in North Africa, 1941-1943, including encounter with German Air Force fighter aircraft during flight near Tobruk, Libya; amusing story of instructor's comments during training; training accident; story of recovering Fairey Albacore aircraft in North Africa; Mrs Tunstall's description of marriage at HMS Jackdaw, Royal Naval Air Station Crail, 1940; deck landings. REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of period as engineer officer with Fleet Air Arm in North Africa, 1941-1943: arrival in Egypt, 5/1941; allocation to test flying duties; return to GB, 1943; effect of putting paraffin on Fairey Swordfish wings; investigation into engine failure problem with Fairey Albacore; desert conditions; initial impressions of Egypt; meeting with fellow cadets in Egypt; behaviour of Australians in North Africa; support received from 5th Indian Infantry Div. Aspects of period as officer with Fleet Air Arm, 1945-1950: story of closing down HMS Goshawk, Royal Naval Air Station, Piarco, Trinidad, 1945. REEL 5 Continues: sight of aftermath of atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan; roles on recruitment on maintenance duties; watch- keeping duties on board destroyer. Aspects of attachment to Royal Australian Navy during Korean War, 1950-1951: background to drafting to Australia; repair to battle damaged aircraft aboard HMAS Sydney; contrast of maintenance duties during Second World War and Korean War; effects of operating aircraft in cold weather during Korean War; clothing worn; opinion of General Bernard Montgomery in North Africa. REEL 6 Continues: incident when aircraft filled with smoke. Aspects of various postings with Fleet Air Arm in GB, 1951-1965: pattern of career; planning duties in Plymouth, 1961-1962; duties at Ministry of Defence in London, 1963-1964; opinion of aircraft carrier debate, 1960s; civilian career on leaving Royal Navy.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), Second World War (content), 1945-1989 (content), Second World War (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
King, Fiona (Recorder)
Tunstall, Robert Joseph (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2007-07-31
Dimensions: whole: Duration 180, Number Of Items 6
Catalogue number: 29959

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Interview with Robert Joseph Tunstall

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