Fg Off Wales' Wings
Red On, Green On
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mstjbrown- http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server?show=nav.6056&tab=2 quotes RW pilot training takes 23 months post-BRNC, and Obs 18 months. FW = 33 months. Not including holds, of course.
Wings are awarded at 12 months for RW (P) and seven for O, and I think 15 for FW (P), I believe.
Wings are awarded at 12 months for RW (P) and seven for O, and I think 15 for FW (P), I believe.
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any officer in the armed forces is expected to think about the impact of his or her decisions, so yes they should bloody consider it unless they're irretrievably stupid
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F.o Wales
Herewith garbled version of my efforts to obtain my wings during the 39/45 war.
numerous visits to recruiting office with hundreds of other hopeful future spitfire pilots. Finally accepted for consideration.(Didn't finish up on Spits)
Three days at R.A.F Padgate for exams including maths, geometry. etc. Tests for colour blindness . Tunnel vision, night vision ,physical fitness etc.etc.
A few weeks later accepted as pilot U/T to be informed tbat as i was in a reserved occupation the R.A.F would endevour to obtain my release from the ministry of labour. In the meanwhile to join the A.T.C to learn signals. basic navigation.
Six months later received letter I was now in the R.A.F VR on deferred service as an A.C 2 and given a silver V.R lapel badge.
Three months later instructed to report to Lords cricket ground where I remained in a "luxury flat" for a month .classes in maths, basic navigation . aircraft recognition, drill, P.T. swimming and life saving plus ?
Six months at Torquay I.T.W previous subjects plus morse- radio and aldis- ,navigation, dinghy practice in the harbour, five mile cross country runs. clay pidgeon and deflection shooting, armanents (strip our machine guns in the dark and name all parts) engines, aerodynamics. hydraulics. Classes held in any vacant premises, miles apart, uphill and downhill at 140 paces to the minute, and arms up to shoulder level Passed out L.A.C
One month at Marshalls flying school,had to solo on tiger moth in under ten hours to qualify for further pilot training. Passed and posted to R.A.F Heaton Park A.C.RC for one month ,with usual training subjects
PHEW. wonder if any one is interested, it's hard going.
This is my first attempt at this sort of thing and I may be flogging a dead horse so will submit this to see what happens. If there is interest, I will try to describe my career via Nova Scotia, Oklahoma. Gulf of Mexico and finally to 150 Sqdn Hemswell. I might even tell the story of being retained on a court of enquiry pending court martial for low flying over a ladies college near Harrogate.
CLIFF.
NILS BASTARDO CARBORUNDUM
numerous visits to recruiting office with hundreds of other hopeful future spitfire pilots. Finally accepted for consideration.(Didn't finish up on Spits)
Three days at R.A.F Padgate for exams including maths, geometry. etc. Tests for colour blindness . Tunnel vision, night vision ,physical fitness etc.etc.
A few weeks later accepted as pilot U/T to be informed tbat as i was in a reserved occupation the R.A.F would endevour to obtain my release from the ministry of labour. In the meanwhile to join the A.T.C to learn signals. basic navigation.
Six months later received letter I was now in the R.A.F VR on deferred service as an A.C 2 and given a silver V.R lapel badge.
Three months later instructed to report to Lords cricket ground where I remained in a "luxury flat" for a month .classes in maths, basic navigation . aircraft recognition, drill, P.T. swimming and life saving plus ?
Six months at Torquay I.T.W previous subjects plus morse- radio and aldis- ,navigation, dinghy practice in the harbour, five mile cross country runs. clay pidgeon and deflection shooting, armanents (strip our machine guns in the dark and name all parts) engines, aerodynamics. hydraulics. Classes held in any vacant premises, miles apart, uphill and downhill at 140 paces to the minute, and arms up to shoulder level Passed out L.A.C
One month at Marshalls flying school,had to solo on tiger moth in under ten hours to qualify for further pilot training. Passed and posted to R.A.F Heaton Park A.C.RC for one month ,with usual training subjects
PHEW. wonder if any one is interested, it's hard going.
This is my first attempt at this sort of thing and I may be flogging a dead horse so will submit this to see what happens. If there is interest, I will try to describe my career via Nova Scotia, Oklahoma. Gulf of Mexico and finally to 150 Sqdn Hemswell. I might even tell the story of being retained on a court of enquiry pending court martial for low flying over a ladies college near Harrogate.
CLIFF.
NILS BASTARDO CARBORUNDUM
Cunning Artificer
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Read "First Light" by Geoff Wellum. Only 18 and a bit and still at gunnery school when he was taken off the course and sent to join 92 Squadron at Northolt to fly Spitfires. His 'Wings' were real enough - sphincter gripping Battle of Britain combat within 18 months of captaining the school first 11 cricket team.
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Cliff, can I suggest you re-post your original post as a new thread with an appropriate title? Maybe 'GAINING AN RAF PILOT'S BREVET IN 194X'?
I think a lot of people here will be interested to read your recollections. I know I will.
I think a lot of people here will be interested to read your recollections. I know I will.
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Reply to welcome suggestion
Many thanks for encouraging replies.
To exscibbler I am now living in Liverpool
To 7X7 I will certainly try and start a new post, but it will take a little effort as I saved number 1 somewhere on my computer, and am still a little "flak happy". My grandson will find it. Incidentally I took him inside the Halifax at the Yorkshire air museum, when he was surprised there were no carpets and nice seats. Any one interested in wartime aircraft should visit the Halifax bomber Elvington (google it). The Halifax rebuilding was supervised by my old school friend, ex R.A.F apprentice(1938), ex Rhodesian trained pilot etc. Saw him last week in Yorkshire.
Now going to find out how to start a new thread
Regards Cliff.
There are old pilots, and bold pilots , but no old bold pilots
To exscibbler I am now living in Liverpool
To 7X7 I will certainly try and start a new post, but it will take a little effort as I saved number 1 somewhere on my computer, and am still a little "flak happy". My grandson will find it. Incidentally I took him inside the Halifax at the Yorkshire air museum, when he was surprised there were no carpets and nice seats. Any one interested in wartime aircraft should visit the Halifax bomber Elvington (google it). The Halifax rebuilding was supervised by my old school friend, ex R.A.F apprentice(1938), ex Rhodesian trained pilot etc. Saw him last week in Yorkshire.
Now going to find out how to start a new thread
Regards Cliff.
There are old pilots, and bold pilots , but no old bold pilots