View Full Version : Pilot experience, Battle of Britain
RabbitLeader
23rd Oct 2003, 20:00
A question came up regarding the experience of the main character in the novel I'm writing about the Battle of Britain.
He is sent to a Spitfire squadron with no hours on Spits whatsoever.
Would that be possible, or indeed likely? :confused:
I'm pretty sure, but confirmation would be a nice thing! :D
treadigraph
23rd Oct 2003, 20:07
Reading "Fly For Your Life", Robert Stanford Tuck was posted to command a Hurri Sqn (257?) with no experience on Hurricanes... but then again he had plenty on Spitfires, Gladiators, Gauntlets, etc...
The author of 'First Light', Geoffrey Wellum, was 18 years 10 months old when posted to 92 Sqn Spitfires with no Spitfire Hours at all. He was the second pilot to be posted at that point. It's a good read too.
Hope this helps
James
Tiger_ Moth
28th Oct 2003, 23:36
I think it was pretty common, at least at the start of the war for pilots to receive their training on their operational type only when they actually got to their squadron. The same thing is true of Roald Dahl who was posted to a Gladiator squadron after training without having flown Gladiators.