Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
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Ah-ha! Beat you, Sprog! 1965 
They bought me out in 1994 after an interestingly varied career.
They bought me out in 1994 after an interestingly varied career.
Old Sad Story (exchange of telegrams): - Danny
Which inevitably reminds me of my elderly friend, George, and his story of one of the young men who joined up for National Service at the same time as him. He allegedly wrote home to his mother after his first week after joining the Royal Artillery at Woolwich, with the opening words:
"Dear Mum, It's a bastard...." only to receive a few days letter from his mother starting, " Dear Son, So are you....."
Jack
Which inevitably reminds me of my elderly friend, George, and his story of one of the young men who joined up for National Service at the same time as him. He allegedly wrote home to his mother after his first week after joining the Royal Artillery at Woolwich, with the opening words:
"Dear Mum, It's a bastard...." only to receive a few days letter from his mother starting, " Dear Son, So are you....."
Jack
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Jack,
Which inevitably brings me to the (true) fact that (in 1951, at least), it was cheaper to buy out an airman than a trained police dog.
Walter,
Bit puzzled by the "Dart" (couldn't be a typo for "Fart" by any chance ?) Our transatlantic cousins didn't take the plunge till after WWII.
Danny.
Which inevitably brings me to the (true) fact that (in 1951, at least), it was cheaper to buy out an airman than a trained police dog.
Walter,
Bit puzzled by the "Dart" (couldn't be a typo for "Fart" by any chance ?) Our transatlantic cousins didn't take the plunge till after WWII.
Danny.
In the 1960's it was cheaper to train a new V bomber rear crew than it was to modify the aircraft so that they had ejector seats.
(actually, it was a myth. The structural changes required were impossible)
(actually, it was a myth. The structural changes required were impossible)
I'm sure I read that Martin-Baker came up with a scheme for one of the V bombers which involved the centre crew man ejecting first and then the other two seats tilting and ejecting sequentially through the same hole.
IIRC it was dropped because of the expected limited service life of the aircraft.
IIRC it was dropped because of the expected limited service life of the aircraft.
Bit puzzled by the "Dart" (couldn't be a typo for "Fart" by any chance ?) - Danny
Walter means us, Danny! Whilst I understand your allusion, it's an Antipodean expression for the "Old Country", and possibly an oblique reference to the river at my alma mater.
Jack
Walter means us, Danny! Whilst I understand your allusion, it's an Antipodean expression for the "Old Country", and possibly an oblique reference to the river at my alma mater.
Jack
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kghjfg (your #8462),
On behalf of all the WWII (and other) contributors: Thank you sir !
As this, the "Best of All Threads" has run into the doldrums, and the supply of "Old Hairies" seems to have dried up, might I suggest that the simple deletion of ("in WWII") from the title might attract new "Gainers" and even more "Avid Readers ?" I for one would like to hear of the trials and tribulations of our younger brethren as they tread that same stony path as their grandfathers did to reach the same treasured double wing.
What do you think, chaps (and chapesses) ?
Danny42C.
...I am sure that many others read this thread avidly without anything to add, as I do. So I just wanted to say "Thankyou" for the thread, because otherwise us avid readers are invisible!...
As this, the "Best of All Threads" has run into the doldrums, and the supply of "Old Hairies" seems to have dried up, might I suggest that the simple deletion of ("in WWII") from the title might attract new "Gainers" and even more "Avid Readers ?" I for one would like to hear of the trials and tribulations of our younger brethren as they tread that same stony path as their grandfathers did to reach the same treasured double wing.
What do you think, chaps (and chapesses) ?
Danny42C.
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Change of title?
Sounds a good idea, Danny - I for one long ago ran out of my WW2 experiences (the interesting ones anyway), so anything to keep this thread going makes sense!
harrym
harrym
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I did have a vague thought about starting a Thread about ATC in the 60's, and then gave myself a stern talking-to.
What do you think, chaps (and chapesses)? - Danny
I believe that it was Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland, who said, "When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change."
However, if change is indeed deemed necessary, perhaps "Gaining an RAF Pilot's Brevet from WWII onwards" would have the desired effect, possibly *gulp* even substituting "Aircrew" or "Flying" for "Pilot's" in view of the broader church by whom the wonderful input has been generated, and to whom this splendid thread has appealed. For many good reasons, I really do feel that it is most important to retain "WWII".
Dons dark blue coat and heads for the gangway.....
Jack
I believe that it was Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland, who said, "When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change."
However, if change is indeed deemed necessary, perhaps "Gaining an RAF Pilot's Brevet from WWII onwards" would have the desired effect, possibly *gulp* even substituting "Aircrew" or "Flying" for "Pilot's" in view of the broader church by whom the wonderful input has been generated, and to whom this splendid thread has appealed. For many good reasons, I really do feel that it is most important to retain "WWII".
Dons dark blue coat and heads for the gangway.....
Jack
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MPN11,
Now I'll give you another paternal talking-to, my young friend - GET WRITING ! (It is no answer that I've rambled through 17 years of ATC and covered the ground already). Mine was nearly all routine Tower work, whereas you 'fought the good fight' as a troglodyte in Area Control, and then went on to higher things where you had an overview of the whole sorry mess.
It's later than you think !
Danny.
...and then gave myself a stern talking-to...
It's later than you think !
Danny.
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Jack,
In general, I would agree with you and with the noble Lord. But in this instance it has always surprised me that so very few of the post-war generations of military pilots have put their training stories (and these must be legion !) down here in detail (preferably 'warts 'n all'). It strikes me that the "in WWII" may have had an "off-putting" effect.
Now we old boys are not an exclusive club: we were merely the ones who were of an age to come in when the scrap-iron was flying about wholesale; it was an accident of birth and nothing more. And there have been many "little wars" since in which our successors have performed as bravely and done as well as ever we did (and as we knew they would). It is they whom I hope will take up the baton from us, and so keep Cliff's (RIP) wonderful Thread alive.
Yes, very good point, Jack. "Flying", I think. And we must always bear in mind PPRuNe's:
Again, I leave the question open.
Stay aboard, Jack !
Danny.
...I believe that it was Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland, who said, "When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change...."
Now we old boys are not an exclusive club: we were merely the ones who were of an age to come in when the scrap-iron was flying about wholesale; it was an accident of birth and nothing more. And there have been many "little wars" since in which our successors have performed as bravely and done as well as ever we did (and as we knew they would). It is they whom I hope will take up the baton from us, and so keep Cliff's (RIP) wonderful Thread alive.
..."Aircrew" or "Flying" for "Pilot's"..
...Military Aviation A forum for the professionals who fly military hardware. Also for the backroom boys and girls who support the flying and maintain the equipment, and without whom nothing would ever leave the ground. All armies, navies and air forces of the world equally welcome here...
Stay aboard, Jack !
Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 26th Apr 2016 at 20:26. Reason: Out, damned dot !
