The co-pilot was Bill Houldsworth; he joined the RAF in 1943 as a WOpAG flying Ansons, Whitleys, Wellingtons, Stirlings, Halifaxes and Lancasters before reroling to pilot in 1951. He subsequently flew Lancasters, Neptunes, Hastings and Shackletons (MR and AEW).
As an aircraft mad 8 year old in 1980 collecting autographs at airshows, I met Bill Houldsworth at St Mawgan IAD, where he was flying PA474. I remember my Dad telling me that he had been wartime aircrew on Lancs. Still have his autograph at home along with someone called Mike something - I think he was the Flt Eng at the time.
I know it is over 30 years ago now, but hard to believe that wartime aircrew were still actively serving & flying in the RAF at that time!
