The early ball bearing runs - crew details
The early ball bearing runs used Armstrong Whitley civilianised bombers. That simply meant that all the armaments and unnecessary guns and turrets had been removed. In May 1942, an Armstrong Whitley with crew of four left Whitchurch Airfield, Bristol for Leuchars R.A.F. Station. There was daily briefing at Leuchars Meteorolgical Office to be told if we could and for the Captain to decide if we would fly to Stockholm that night. The crew was Junior Captain Gilbert Rae, B.O.A.C, Second Officer, Joe Coney, RAF seconded, Navigator William Coombes, RAF seconded, Wireless Operator, Jimmy Payne, B.O.A.C. Junior captains had only two and a half rings. Gilbert Rae was soon upgraded to three whole rings.
After a few return flights a second Whitley under Ian Goalen, Wireless Operator Eric Bristow and 2 other seconded RAF personnel, a second pilot and a navigator, Peter Ludgate joined the little group. We continued until
November/December and then recalled to Bristol.