In those days, with no T7 - how did you undertake conversion to the Hunter?
The OCU was a bit less formal than its modern counterparts, Since the Hunter F1 was fairly restricted in endurance what it could do (2100 lbs fuel, no gun firing) the first half of the OCU was flown on VampireT11 and FB5, just as our FTS had been. When it was time to fly the Hunter, our first flight included a supervised start, after which we were (literally) on our own. When all the checks including the take-off vital actions were complete before taxying, I can still remember the staff pilot patting me on the bonedome and shouting “Remember you’ve got 30 minutes of fuel to learn how to land the thing”
Prior to the flight we were supposed to have completed a written test on the aircraft systems and have this certificate pasted into our log book:-
No. 233(F) O.C.U. - R,A.F. PEMBREY
PILOT'S PRE-SOLO CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE
1. Certified that I have received ground instruction on the
following subjects and that I fully understand the use of each
service on the Hunter F.1:-
(a) Avon engine Mk. 115
(b) Power Control system
(c) Hydraulic system (including wheel brakes)
(d) Electrical system (including R./T)
e) Fuel system
(f) Oxygen system
2. I certify that I have completed the Hunter questionnaire
in writing. I have also been checked out in the Hunter instr-
uctional cockpit and I am fully conversant with:-
(a) Vital actions
(b) Action in the event of emergencies
(c) Re-light procedure
(d) Procedure for abandoning aircraft
3. I possess an amended copy of Hunter F,1 Pilot's Notes and
I understand that I am not to fly without carrying them on me,
I also possess a copy of "Hints on Flying the Hunter F.1".
Date 10th July 1956 ...............................
Pilot's Signature
Certified that this pilots pre-solo Certificate of
Competence is correct and has been pasted into his flying log-
book, His questionnaire (serial no. 9) has been filed.
Date.10.7.56 .............................
O.C. "B" 'Flight
The 10th July, however, was the first day back at work after the mid-course long weekend. In mid afternoon my Flight Commander found me in the hangar, trying to learn where things were in the cockpit. He’d noticed it was my birthday and thought that my first Hunter trip would be a nice present.
In the rush, no-one noticed that this administration had been overlooked, so it was completed as a post flight procedure the following day, with a flexible attitude to the recorded date. He was right, though, it was one of the most memorable presents I ever had.