Geoff joins a Comm Flight
F/Sgt Geoff started with 229 Group Comm Flight, Palam July 1st 1944. His last flight with them was on Sept. 7th 1945, so 14 months service in all.
For the first four months not much of interest occurs. He solos the Anson on July 2nd and the Percival Proctor on July 3rd. He flies “the milk run” Palam – Lahore – Palam in an Anson on July 5th and again on July 28th, in between are six or so Air Tests in both Anson and Proctor. Then from July 29 to Sept 14 he does not fly at all. I think that this may be because of the Monsoon deluge, Delhi receives most of it's annual rainfall in July and August. On the other hand he might have been ill (Delhi Belly)? I just don't know - the log book cannot tell me all.
Sept. 14 he is 2nd pilot in an Anson out of Lahore - after 40 mins. they return to Lahore and force land (no reason given). Sept 30th he logs an Air Test and Check Flight in the Fairchild Argus (Radial Engined version) followed by some circuits and local flying with one of their Indian A/Cs aboard.
Oct 2 he flies an Anson Palam - Lahore - Gujrat With “crew” as pax. Next day he takes them back to Palam, again via Lahore. This was the last time he flies an Anson until 1946. Oct 12th he gives a Squadron Leader 30 mins dual instruction in the Argus. Then on Oct. 30th he is introduced to the Beech 18 Expediter which seems to replace the Ansons from this time on.
In November things get busy and Geoff flies 17 days this month. (More like the pace he was used to with 21 FC). His passengers were: Nov. 14th A Major General, Palam - Sarsawa - Palam. Nov. 17th A L/Col, Palam - Lahore - Chaklala nightstop. Nov. 18th (Same L/Col) Chaklala - Peshawar nightstop. Nov.19th (A different L/Col) Peshawar - Basal - Risalpur - Peshawar nightstop. Nov. 20th (Same L/Col) Peshawar - Chaklala nightstop. 21st Nov. A Major, Chaklala - Lahore - Palam. Nov 28/29/30 he flies a civilian, a Mr Aichele, (presumably a Civil Service Nabob) Palam - Lahore - Gujrat - Chaklala nightstop. Chaklala - Basal - Chaklala nightstop. Chaklala - Gujrat – Lahore – Palam
Summary for November 1944 : Expediter (2nd pilot) 4.45. Proctor 1.45. Argus 36.00.
Ian B-B