Came across this Thread in an idle moment. Read it and was utterly enthralled by Colonel Clifton's story. Can recommend it to anyone with an interest in the trade of "Fighter Pilot" (and what wonderful, salty, aphorisms !)
Was in Class of 42C in the USAAC "Arnold" Scheme, and it is surprising how his Flight School washout rate (50%) chimes with our Class (40%) and we thought that was terrible. I believe the overall "Arnold" washout rate was 43%. We sent 7885 LACs out (we were classed as "Aviation Cadets") and got 4493 pilots back. I was one (these would nearly all end up in Bomber Command, I suppose). On return to the UK I did a Spitfire "Operational Training Unit" (75 hrs on type).
Then, rarin' to go as a Fighter Pilot and put my training to good use, I was posted to India (where there were [then] no Spitfires). Things never change ! and spent the next few years dive bombing the Japs in Burma with the US A31s (Vultee Vengeance). Never flew a Spitfire again for 7 years.
Funny old world.
Danny42C.
Last edited by Danny42C; 9th Aug 2015 at 08:03.
Reason: Typo