Ayerst, Peter (Oral history)

British pilot served flying Hurricane with 73 Sqdn, RAF in GB and North West Europe 1939-1940; served as instructor on Hurricane with No 6 Operational Training Unit, RAF, GB, 1940; served as instructor with No 7 OTU, RAF, GB, 1940-1941; served as navigation instructor with 58 OTU, RAF, GB, 1941-1942; served as flight commander flying Spitfire Vb with 243 Sqdn, RAF, GB, 1941-1941; served flying Hurricane with 33 Sqdn, 243 Wing, RAF, Egypt, 1942; served as flight commander with 238 Sqdn, RAF in Egpyt, Libya and Tunisia, 1942-1943; served as instructor at No 73 OTU, RAF, Egypt, 1943; served flying Spitfire VII and IX with 124 Sqdn, 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF, GB, 1944-1945; served as test pilot flying Spitfires manufactured by Vickers Armstrong Factory, Castle Bromwich, GB, 1945-1946; served as deputy station commander at Manston, 1946; served as staff officer at Headquarters, 61 Group, RAF, GB, 1949-1952; served flying Vampire V with 16 Sqdn, 83 Group, RAF, Germany, 1953-1954; served commanding 5 Sqdn, 2 Group, RAF, Germany, 1954-1956; served as staff officer at Air Crew Selection Centre and Air Ministry, GB, 1956-1961; served at No 1 School of Technical Training, Halton, GB, 1962-1964; served in various staff roles in GB, 1964-1971; served as administrative officer at Waddisham, GB, 1971-1973

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Westcliffe on Sea, 1920-1938: family background and social circumstances; education and sporting activities at Westcliffe high School, 1931-1936; recreations; work as clerk with export company in London, 1937-1938; story of first flight in Avro biplane; assisting civilian pilot in operating civilian flights from Romford airfield; question of flying lessons; medical and interview on application for short course commission with RAF, 6/1938. Recollections of flying Miles Magister at No 19 Elementary Flying Training School, RAF, Gatwick, 10/1938-12/1938: initial status as pupil pilots; billets in Crawley; familiarisation flights, 6/10/1938; relationship with flying instructors. REEL 2 Continues: ground training including engines and theory of flight; dual instruction flights; operation of controls including joystick, rudder and throttle; cockpit instruments; forced landings; take off and landings practice on 'circuits and bumps'; spinning and recovery; test flights with chief flying instructor; use of Gosport tube; first solo, 21/10/1938; aerobatics including loop and slow roll. REEL 3 Continues: aerobatics including half roll and side-slipping; navigation methods, use of compass and flight plans on cross country flights; story of emergency landing due to fog; flying assessment tests. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine as acting pilot officer during advanced flying training on Harvard at No 12 Flying Training School, RAF, Grantham, 12/1938-8/1939: administrative training as commissioned officer by specialist personnel sent from Uxbridge Depot; role and behaviour expected as officer; uniforms and mess kit; mess accommodation selection for training as fighter pilot; nature of Harvard; training flights and instruction; PT session. REEL 4 Continues: drill; lectures; duties as orderly officer; nature of officers' mess including guest nights, mess games, drinking habits, pay and mess bill; recreational visits to pubs and dance halls in Grantham and Nottingham; church parade; flights in Anson; question of awareness of approach of war; air firing course at Penhas, including air to sea target firing, bombing practice, firing at air towed targets using angled attack and deflection hooting; amusing story of woman artist painting RAF officers in pub. REEL 5 Continues: assessment. Recollections of period as pilot officer flying Hurricane I with 73 and 46 Sqdn, RAF, Digby, 8/1939-9/1939: memories of various friends; background to temporary posting as inexperienced pilot to 46 Sqdn; opinion of Flight Lieutenant Pat Jamieson; nature of Hurricane including armament, harmonisation go guns, cockpit layout, parachute arrangement and take off procedure; rejoining 73 Sqdn; opinion of various officers including Squadron Leader B. W. Knox; Flight Lieutenants Reggie Lovett, Ian Scoular, Flying Officers Edgar Kain, Ian Brotchic, Halliday, Graham Paul and Sergeants Ken Campbell and Payne. Status of sergeant pilots; opinion of adjutant Flight Lieutenant Hall. REEL 6 Continues: outbreak of war, 3/9/1939. Recollections of initial period in France, 9/1939: voyage out to Le Havre; convent billets; nature of Octeville airfield; practice flights including formation flying, methods of attack, firing into sea and squadron scrambles; awareness of inexperience as pilot; recreational visits to Le Havre; move to Norrent-Frontes airfield; tent accommodation; digging slit trenches. Recollections of period at Rouvres airfield, 10/1939-5/1940: billets; officers' servant; disposition of fighter squadrons; officers' mess in school; flying patrols along French border and first skirmishes with ME109; operations room and inadequate wireless communications; red flag early warning system operated by French troops in front of airfield. REEL 7 Continues: absence of night flying; visits to Maginot Line; local leave in Rheims; story of contact with Dornier 17 whilst on airfield defence duty, 6/11/1939, including take off, abortive pursuit deep over Germany, pursuit by ME109s, successful intervention by French fighters, fuel shortage prior to landing at Nancy, flight back to base, question of serious damage to tail, subsequent press coverage and nickname of 'Decoy'; effects of snow; flying kit and effects of cold; use of oxygen; GB leave, 1/1940; hospitalisation with German measles at Eperney, 1/1940; story of getting drunk on champagne with Flying Officer Edgar Kain. REEL 8 Continues: VIP visitors to unit including Duke of Windsor; press interest in unit; question of increasing German air activity and clashes on patrols; story of interception of Dornier 17 carrying out reconnaissance mission, 6/4/1940; dogfights with ME109s and confirmed kill, 7/4/1940; drinking habits in officers' mess; temporary move to Rheims, 11/1940; return to Rheims, 19/4/1940; dogfight with ME109s and ME110s, 21/4/1940; comparison of ME109 and Hurricane; opinion of ME110 and Dornier 17; question of use of tracer. REEL 9 Continues: ignorance of imminent German offensive, 5/1940; German air raid on Rouvres, 10/5/1940; opinion of Squadron Leader Hank More. Recollections of movements prior to evacuation to GB, 10/5/1940-: move to Rheims, 10/5/1940, including attack of diarrhoea and role supervising evacuation of Rouvres; role locating new airstrip and billets at Troyes; background to being selected for training role in GB; journey to Cherbourg; state of French refugees; evacuation by ship to Southampton, ca 31/5/1940; background to death of Pilot officer Edgar Kain whilst stunting at low level, 4/6/1940. Initial period on return to GB, 6/1940: first impressions on return; reporting to Digby; story of debriefing with Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory and posting to training role; leave. Period as instructor on Hurricane with No 6 Operational Training Unit, RAF, Sutton Bridge, 6/1940-7/1940: nature of training flights; flight in Gloster Gladiator. REEL 10 Continues: opinion of Fairey Battle and story of unofficial landing at Swinderby airfield when under construction, flying in formation in clouds and instrument flying exercises. Recollections of period as instructor with No 7 OTU, RAF, Hawarden, 7/1940-6/1941: background to formations of unit; makeshift buildings and tent accommodation; move into billets at Hawarden Castle; nature of Spitfire I including handling characteristics, take off, landing and problems with wind up undercarriage; training pupils on Miles Magister and Spitfire; question of relevance of patrol tactics employed in France and effects of early radar warning; firing on range; question of adequacy of training; relationship with pupils including Paddy Finucane, Paddy Barthrop and Johnnie Johnson. REEL 11 Continues: opinion of US volunteer pilots under training including Andy Mamedoff, Red Tobin and Vernon Keough; operational patrols over Liverpool and Manchester to counter German air raids; story of shooting down Heinkel III over Sealand, 14/8/1940; flights in Fairey Battle to Hendon, London including visits to nightclubs and effects of German bombing; memories of Squadron Leader Ira Jones including recreational visits to Chester and question of relevance of his experience as a First World War ace; opinion of Flight Lieutenant Peter Powell and amusing story of Gladstone bust; question of use of aviation fuel in cars; attending parachute course and role as parachute officer; story of being charged with speeding whilst drunk and subsequent fine. REEL 12 Continues: story of car accident and subsequent concussion. Period at RAF Hospital, Babbacombe, 7/1941-8/1941: concussion symptoms; state of burns patients; recreational visits to Torquay. Period attached to station headquarters, Tangmere, 8/1941-9/1941: opinion of Wing Commander Douglas Bader; story of being shot at by guard following visit to Brighton. Period on course at No 2 School of Air Navigation, RAF, Cranage, 9/1941-10/1941: nature of course; practice flights in Anson. Period as navigation instructor with 58 OTU, RAF, Grangemouth, 11/1941-6/1942: role various flights and state of health; recreational visits to Edinburgh;. Recollections of period as flight commander flying Spitfire Vb with 243 Sqdn, RAF, Ouston, 6/1941-7/1941: formation of unit; opinion of Spitfire Vb; training flights; opinion of Squadron Leader Alan Johnson. REEL 13 Continues: opinion of Flight Lieutenant John Lyons; attending combined operations instructors beach landing course; reaction to leaving unit on posting to North Africa. Voyage aboard Narkunda to Freetown, Sierra Leone, 7/1942-8/1942: route in convoy; conditions. Period at RAF Transit Camp, Lagos, Nigeria, 8/1942: conditions during coastal voyage; hospitality of British civilians. Flight in Dakota to Cairo, Egypt, 9/1942. Recollections of period flying hurricane with 33 Sqdn, 243 Wing, RAF, Landing Grounds 154 and 172, El Alamein area, 9/1942-11/1942: nature of airfield; tent accommodation in dugouts; food rations; water supply; washing and shaving; latrines; prior acclimatisation to climate in Cairo; sandstorms; opinion of Hurricane IIc including adaptations for desert conditions and flying with hoods open; flying kit. REEL 14 Continues: tactical reconnaissance flight over El Alamein area, 5/10/1942; nature of desert flying and anti-Stuka patrols; account of mass ground strafing attack on Dhaba airfield, 9/10/1942, including effects of rain in grounding ME 109s, approach from sea, firing at tents and Fiesler Storch, attack by ME 109s and flight back over Quatterra Depression, casualties, nature of German anti-aircraft fire and subsequent search for missing Hurricanes, 10/10/1942; tactical reconnaissance flights; move to LG 172, 23/10/1942; patrols above advancing army an nature of dogfights with ME 109 and Macchi 202, 24/10/1942; review of various patrols, 24/10/1942-19/10/1942. Recollections of period as flight commander of A Flight, 238 Sqdn, RAF in Egpyt, Libya and Tunisia, 11/1942-12/1943: joining unit at LG 172; opinion of Squadron Leader Roy Marples; role as flight commander; role of ground crew and flight sergeant. REEL 15 Continues: opinion of Captain Tom Philips; relationship with officers; review of various patrols, 1/11/1942-3/11/1942; account of being forced down behind German lines during mission, 4/11/1942, including scramble procedure to intercept Stukas, dogfight with ME 109s, damage from German AA fire, forced landing in Quattera Depression, taking cover from German fire, rescue by Australian jeep; danger from minefield around crash site, staying with Australians, being reported missing and membership of 'Late Arrivals Club' and reception on rejoining unit; escape kit carried; flights to bring back beer cans from Alexandria; recreational visits to Alexandria including bath, visits to nightclubs and story of fight; move to forward landing strip; patrols covering convoys arriving at Mersa Matruh harbour; move to isolated forward landing strip LG125 behind German lines, 13/11/1942; ground strafing Germans retreating along coastal road; question of relocating LG125 on return from missions. REEL 16 Continues: ground strafing raids; successful attacks on airfield; discover of LG 125 by German reconnaissance aircraft and consequent evacuation; move to El Adem airfield, 17/11/1942; escorting transport aircraft delivering petrol to army, 20/11/1942; flight to bring back beer from Aboukir; story of visit to Tobruk bar; move to Martula, 26/11/1942; opinion of Squadron Leader Homer Cochrane; ingrowing toenail operation, 11/12/1942; role commanding flight ferrying Hurricanes to Tebessa, Algeria, 11/12/1942-26/12/1942, including background to replacing Spitfires grounded by wet weather, story at Takali, Malta, severe weather problems and flight back in Hudson to Constantine. REEL 17 Continues: visiting bars in Constantine; rejoining unit, 27/12/1942. Period at Gamil, Port Said, Egypt, 1/1943-4/1943: flying in sandstorm; background to rest period; prior reconnaissance; shipping escort duties and training flights; recreational visits to Pot Said; relationship with Greek woman; night flying practice and airfield lights. Recollections of period as instructor at No 73 OTU, RAF, Abu Sweir, 4/1943-7/1943: reactions and promotion to squadron leader; role training Turkish pilots; flying Harvad, Kittyhawk and Tomahawk; opinion of Squadron Leader Neville Duke; question of personal status as 'ace'. Period with No 1 Air Delivery Unit, RAF, Takoradi, Gold Coast, 8/1943-9/1943: flight out in Airspeed Ensign; air test on Spitfire; storms and overnight stops during flight in Spitfire back to Egypt. REEL 18 Flight and overnight stops in flying boat to Vaalbank Dam, Johannesburg, South Africa, 9/1943. Recollections of period attending instructors' course flying Tiger Moth at No 62 Air School, RAF, Bloemfontaine, South Africa, 10/1943-2/1944: prior period staying with South African civilians in Johannesburg; learning scripts used by instructor illustrated by procedure on take off; effects of base altitude of flying; practising forced landings; story of fight with German sympathising Afrikaaner at party in Johannesburg; background to requesting active service posting; story of staying in hotel in Durban. Voyage aboard New Amsterdam to GB, 3/1944: sailing unaccompanied by escort; hospitality of Duhc officers; route. Recollections of operations flying Spitfire VII and IX with 124 Sqdn, 11 Group, Fighter Command, RAF, Bradwell, Detling, Westhamprett and Manston, 3/1944-2/1945: financial support of unit by Maharajah of Baroda; reception from Squadron Leader Tommy Balmforth. REEL 19 Continues: nature of Spitfire VII adapted for high altitude role; unit role intercepting German high altitude photographic reconnaissance patrols; patrols in pairs controlled by radar and story of shooting down ME 109 off North Foreland, 12/6/1944; question of D Day deception plans in Channel ports area; high altitude patrol over Normandy, France, 6/6/1944; role as senior flight commander with 'B' Flight; memories of various officer and NCO pilots; hut accommodation; various states of readiness, standby and standing patrols system; low level ground strafing sweep over Brussels, Belgium, 11/6/1944; story of shooting down ME 109 off North Foreland, 12/6/1944; close escort of Dakotas flying to Normandy, 19/6/1944; escorting Lancaster raiding V1 site, 28/6/1944; attitude to German AA fire; escorting flight by George VI in Dakota over GB, 28/6/1944; escorting bombers during air raid on Villers Bocage, 30/6/1944; reduction in high altitude patrols; review of various operations, 7/1944. REEL 20 Continues: nature of Spitfire IX; move to Detling, 26/6/1944; detachment to carry our radar calibrating flights for mobile radar station based at Maupertus, Cherbourg, France, 7/1944; return to Detling, 31/7/1944; move to Westhamprett, 9/8/1944; officers mess in Shopwyke House; review of various escort and ground army cooperation strafing operations, 8/1944-9/1944; missions escorting withdrawal of daytime bombing raids on Ruhr area, Germany, 9/1944, including German AA fire and story of Lancaster exploding; mission to escort aircraft returning from Arnhem landings, 17/9/1944; effects of bad weather during patrols escorting supply drops over Arnhem, 17/9/1944-24/9/1944; move to Manston, 25/9/1944; background to award of DFC. REEL 21 Continues: first impression of Meteor jet; escorting George VI to Eindhoven, Netherlands, 10/10/1944; absence of fatigue; question of success in escorting daytime bombing raids over Germany and Netherlands; question of move to France; story of meeting future wife and her refusal to marry operational pilot, 12/1944; practicing dive bombing; background to end of tour and operational flying. Recollections of period as test pilot flying Spitfires manufactured by Vickers Armstrong Factory, Castle Bromwich, 2/1945-3/1946: initial impressions of factory; rigorous ground crew checks prior to first flight of each new Spitfire; test flights in each Spitfire IX including notes taken and faults identified. REEL 22 Continues: memories of Chief Test Pilot Alex Henshaw including review of flying career, aerobatic display abilities and flying DH Rapide; story of test flight as 2nd pilot to Alex Henshaw in new Lancaster in training flight to learn role of test pilot in carrying out test programme and recording results; opinion of test pilots; daily routine; preparations of Spitfire test reports and acceptance for service. REEL 23 Continues: test flights in Spitfire IX, XII, XVI and XVIII; nature of Spitfire XXII; story of comparison of Spitfire XXII and Meteor jet during visit to 124 Squadron, RAF at Molesworth, 2/10/1945; stories of incidents of engine failure flying Spitfire XXII; marriage and accommodation; social life; VE Day, 8/5/1945; detachment to assist in Spitfire testing at High Post; opinion of Chief Test Pilot Jeffrey Quill; winding down of Spitfire factory prior to closure, 7/1946. Period awaiting posting at Headquarters, H Group, Fighter Command, RAF, Uxbridge, 2/1946-3/1946. Period as deputy station commander at Manston, 3/1946-7/1946: non-operational status of station. REEL 24 Continues: background to decision to leave RAF to become publican. Period as publican in Canterbury, 1946-1949: shortage of beer; acclimatisation to civilian lifestyle; daily routine. Recollections of period with RAF Volunteer Reserve, Rochester, 1947-1949: flying commitments as reserve officer; background to application to rejoin RAF and acceptance as flight lieutenant, 1949. Recollections of administrative role as staff officer at Headquarters, 61 Group, RAF, Kenley, 12/1949-10/1952: role dealing with RAF officers' postings; informal flying experiences; memories of Squadron Leader AL Deere; story of first flight in Meteor T7 Trainer. Period attending refresher course flying Harvard at No 22 Flying Training School, RAF, Syerstone, 11/1952-4/1953: swift acclimatisation to flying; instrument flying. Attending course at on Meteor at No 210 Advanced Flying School, RAF, Tarrant Rushton, 6/1953: introductory dual and solo flights in Meteor VII; first solo on Meteor III, including controls, instruments, take off routine, flying at high altitudes and landing. REEL 25 Period converting to flying Vampire at No 229 Operational Conversion Unit, RAF, Chivenor, 6/1953: initial flights in Vampire TII Trainer; characteristics of Vampire V; review of operational training flights programme; question of age; comparison of Vampire and meteor. Recollections of period flying Vampire V with 16 Sqdn, 83 Group, RAF and Butzweilerhof and Celle, Germany, 9/1953-12/1954: joining unit at temporary station at Butzweilerhof during runway extension to Celle; reception and appointment as flight commander; opinion of Squadron Leader Deck de Burgh; review of training flights including use of drop fuel tanks and armament; story of flight in bad visibility conditions to Celle, 31/10/1953; relationship with officer; married quarters; daughter's education; nature of officers' mess including guest nights, mess games and drinking habits. REEL 26 Continues: practice flights; background to introduction of structured flying programme and servicing schedule during Squadron Leader Dick de Burgh's absence on leave; celebrations on promotion to squadron leader, 1/1954. Recollections of period commanding 5 Sqdn, 2 Group, RAF at Wunsdorf and Fassberg, Germany, 1/1954-3/1956: prior interview with Air Vice Marshal Hollings-Potts over state of unit; role as squadron leader; nature of Venom I and IV; meeting with pilots; introduction of structured flying programme and servicing schedule; improvements to unit morale and squadron song; introduction of simultaneous cartridge take offs; live firing practice on Sylt ranges at air towed drogues or ground targets and role of pilot attack instructors; memories of flight commanders; social life and officers' mess; practice sorties acting as 'enemy' to test readiness of GB air defences. REEL 27 Continues: ceremonies on award of squadron standard, 4/1954; increasing tension involving Soviet incursions into air space and consequent move to Fassberg, 10/1955; border patrols; problems in landing without crossing into East German air space; improvements to unit during period of command. Recollections of period as selection officer and staff officer at Air Crew Selection Centre, RAF, Hornchurch, 3/1956-7/1958: nature of command tests to judge candidates leadership potential; interviews; role acting as staff officer to Air Commodore Teddy Corberley; flights in Chipmunk. Period as staff officer responsible for aircrew policy at M3, Selection, Air Ministry, Adastral House, London, 7/1954-12/1961. Recollections of period commanding No 1 Sqdn, No 3 Wing, No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF, Halton, 1/1962-5/1964: organisation of unit and opinion of boy recruits; treatment of boy recruits and their acclimatisation to RAF lifestyle; bagpipe band; drill; story illustrating importance of sympathetic approach to boy recruits; role giving air experience flights in Chipmunk for boy recruits. REEL 28 Continues: role getting speakers for Royal Aeronautical Society meetings; enjoyment of posting and married quarters. Period as staff officer at Joint Warfare Establishment, Old Sarum, 5/1964-9/1966: role assisting commandants; tri-service and multi-national nature of courses; view of TSR2 air tests; social life. Period as advisor to chairman of Military Agency for Standardisation <MAS>, NATO, Belgrave Square, London, 9/1966-8/1968: technical working parties illustrated by work on standardisation of oil and lubricants; travelling across Europe. Recollections of period as air support officer, Headquarters, 5 (Air Portable) Brigade, Tidworth Camp, 8/1968-10/1971: liaison role; attending exercises on Salisbury Plain and relationship with Brigadier Edwin Bramall in arranging air support from 38 Group, RAF; attachment as ASO to NATO mobile force exercises in Denmark, Greece and Norway; acting as escort to Soviet generals and Prince Michael of Kent during exercise. REEL 29 Continues: acting as escort to Soviet generals and Prince Michael of Kent during exercise; story of attending party hosted by Brigadier Edwin Brammall and question of RAF personnel flying when drunk. Recollections of period as administrative officer and deputy station commander at Waddisham, 10/1971-6/1973: administrative role; flight in Lightening (T) V; nature of Lightning; relationship with station commanders; Lightning runway accident; quick reaction force role of Lightning; question of early retirement to take business opportunity; last flight in Lightning, 26/4/1973; reactions to leaving RAF. Post-service career: initial work developing chartered surveyor business in Europe; work for property developers and engineering firms utilising links with Iran; presence during Iranian revolution, 11/1979; background to establishment and expansion of asbestos analysis business. REEL 30 Continues: question of value of RAF experience in business; membership of Air Crew Assoc, RAF Club, Spitfire Society, Royal Aeronautical Society, Air League; question of status as 'ace'.