Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II
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Spooky helmet...
Well, Cliff,
Thanks for the pic, and I will now take your word for it being beyond practical use. However, I cannot see you burying it - it saw you through a lot.
So, suggestion: place it on a mannequin head, carefully apply liquid leather conditioner, and after it has softened the leather again, carefully sew up the tears.
Good for another sixty-five years of viewing at least...
Cheers!
Dave
Thanks for the pic, and I will now take your word for it being beyond practical use. However, I cannot see you burying it - it saw you through a lot.
So, suggestion: place it on a mannequin head, carefully apply liquid leather conditioner, and after it has softened the leather again, carefully sew up the tears.
Good for another sixty-five years of viewing at least...
Cheers!
Dave
Cliff, if you buried your flying helmet it would come back to haunt you. 
PS. You can have these spooky 1955 issue goggle glasses if you need to update your flying gear.
PS. You can have these spooky 1955 issue goggle glasses if you need to update your flying gear.
Last edited by brakedwell; 19th Jul 2009 at 10:46. Reason: added spooky!
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MkVIII goggle glasses
Hi Brakedwell,
Those look like MkVIII lenses!
If you have a pair of goggles that need that type of glass replacing, then would you believe that the lenses from the Stadium 'MkVIII' goggles are exactly the same pattern and can be fitted to RAF ones? The goggles can be found on the net on a classic car site - forget which, but Google should find it.
Cheers,
Dave
Those look like MkVIII lenses!
If you have a pair of goggles that need that type of glass replacing, then would you believe that the lenses from the Stadium 'MkVIII' goggles are exactly the same pattern and can be fitted to RAF ones? The goggles can be found on the net on a classic car site - forget which, but Google should find it.
Cheers,
Dave
That's Life!!
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'Allo, 'Allo but don't recall that episode !
As to where I've been..........just viewing the progress, haven't felt the need for any input until the helmet appeared. Reminded me of EFT days in the Chipmunk when we wore Mk 1 'bone-domes' with grey inner linings and silver outer shell!
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All allo
Thanks for the reminder but can't say that I remember the remark. I am pleased that you are reminded of the Chipmunk days. I was in the era of the cloth American Helmets with the flying goggles only allowed to be worn above the eyes when you had soloed. I think that the early American films such as "Hell's Angels", "The Dawn Patrol" etc. were the forerunners of that mode.
Keep up the "inputs" . They are the lifeblood of a successful Forum and are, often, the stimulii of very interesting topics for others to join in. All the best, Regle.
Keep up the "inputs" . They are the lifeblood of a successful Forum and are, often, the stimulii of very interesting topics for others to join in. All the best, Regle.
That's Life!!
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I found this.....
in the hangar at Sligo. Tracked it down in my logbook and had flown it at Church Fenton.
in the hangar at Sligo. Tracked it down in my logbook and had flown it at Church Fenton.
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DH Chipmunk
April 2nd, 3rd., and the 4th. 1952, I flew Chipmunks WB753, 755 & 757 whilst I was doing some RAFVR flying during my last month of Instructing at Rochester for Short Bros. That was the only time that I ever flew them but I always remember them as beautiful little aeroplanes but then, De Havilland never made anything but beautiful looking aeroplanes
Changing the subject "Sailor Vee" .Is it my Navigation or do you really live in the Sahara ? That's where my , admittedly dicey, Atlas places you ! REg.
Changing the subject "Sailor Vee" .Is it my Navigation or do you really live in the Sahara ? That's where my , admittedly dicey, Atlas places you ! REg.
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somewhere in Oman
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Another Continental adventure
At Rochester , it was very convenient to be a member of the RAF Volunteer Reserve as it meant that you could put in the requisite flying hours on the Tiger Moths, Chipmunks etc. that were available and thus receive the £85 p.a. that went with it. Not a fortune , I know, but worth a lot more then...early 1950's. I was also still dodging searchlights at 85 m.p.h. in the Rapides that also earned a few coppers but had it's disadvantages in coming back late to a fog bound airfield. Once, after returning from one of these exercises, I could only see the lampost at the corner of the airfield sticking out of the thick fog that enveloped it. I used this to land but could not see to taxi so had to leave the Rapide and managed to grope my way to the tower. I was there early next morning to taxi it in and also to gather buckets of the wonderful tasty mushrooms that were so prolific. The trouble was that our Chief, Tom Chambers, had an arrangement with a local Farmer who used to pay him for the season's crop and you had to be there extremely early to gather a lovely supper of huge mushrooms before he got there .
The airfield, at Rochester , drops away to the west and there is a deep valley along which the M2 now runs, just before the bridge which spans the Medway. Once when coming in to land, just before lunch on the 3rd. May 1951, in an Oxford with my two Naval Lieutenants having finished their Instrument lesson, I was approaching to land from the West Malling direction, had my wheels and flaps down and was coming to the valley when both engines cut out. I just had enough time to stick the nose down , dive into the valley and gain enough speed to pull up over the ridge and flop the Oxbox down on to the grass. My wheels had already been lowered for the landing ! Two very quiet and shaken Naval Pilots had lunch with me that day. Blocked fuel lines were found to have cut off the cross feed to both engines but I felt for the Captain who put his plane down on the Hudson when I read about it more recently. You don't have time to think and that is where experience saves you.
Whilst I was still at Rochester my Mother and Father decide to make a coach tour on the Continent. Not liking sea travel they asked me if it would be possible to fly them to Dunkirk where they would meet the coach. Shorts had a single engined Proctor which they hired out to the staff at cost so together with my Wife, Dora, we set off. I had written to the authorities at the small aerodrome of Mardyck, near Dunkirk, telling them when I would be arriving. I had not received any reply but, nevertheless, we flew off to Lympne to clear Customs and Passport Control. When we got there I found that I had left the briefcase with the "ship's papers" and our passports at Rochester so I had to go back there and collect them before presenting myself to my not very impressed Mother and my more tolerant Father and my not very surprised at all, Wife.
Thank goodness, we had a lovely flight across the Channel. I flew low and it was the first time that I had flown with Dora as a passsenger and it was lovely to have her sitting next to me as we flew to France. When we got to Dunkirk we could not raise anyone on the Radio and Mardyck looked deserted.. It was a grass aerodrome so I put down as near to the Control Tower as possible. There was not a soul in sight anywhere. Eventually a lone figure on a bicycle appeared on the horizon. When he got to us he made us understand that we were to wait there for the Gendarmerie. Thre was a howling wind and we sat for what seemed like hours and, eventually a sinister looking black gangsterlike Citroen arrived and discharged four big Gendarmes. Nobody, but nobody spoke a word of English but papers were demanded,Passports were examined...nay, scrutinised and immediately confiscated but , the Radio Licence bore the Royal Seal and obviously impressed them immensely. All this was performed ouside the plane with the papers held down in the cold wind on the wing of the plane with my Mother trying to dictate matters by speaking English about x number of Decibels louder than anyone else. The man with the bicycle had disappeared but turned up again about twenty minutes later closely followed by yet another sinister black Citroen which turned out to be a taxi.. We all crowded into this and the whole cortege swept into Dunkirk to what turned out to be the Police Station . There we, at last, managed to get the Chief of Police to understand that we were merely seeing my parents off on a tour and the ship was due in about two hours... Eventually it was decided that we could stay as long as we kept the taxi driver with us so we went to the docks where we were told that the ship was two hours late. My Father, who was always the worrying sort, wanted to sit there on the dock until the ship appeared but my Mother, as usual, got her own way and suggested that we had something to eat. All of us, taxi driver included, had a very good lunch together and ., eventually met the ship and put my relieved parents on the coach.. On the way back to the airfield we passed the taxidriver's home. His wife ran out shouting that she had a message for us to fly to Lille and clear Customs there before returning to Lympne, in England. I was now in a quandary, Because of my return to Rochester I had not enough fuel to fly to Lille, then on to Lympne and then to Rochester. I had not enough money to buy fuel and credit cards were unheard of in those early days of the '50's. Taking my courage in both hands, I took off from the deserted airfield , thanking the good old Proctor which fired first time on the battery, and flew straight back to Lympne where I went up to the Tower and explained , to the best of my ability, what had happened. The Controller was most helpful. " We can contact the Customs at Calais direct on VHF and explain" he said. He did so and I asked him to apologise to French Customs. I shall never forget the answer that came back " Monsieur, you cannot apologise to French Customs.
Weeks later , I received a letter from the M.C. A. ( Ministry of Civil Aviation ), asking me , most civilly as befited their name, to explain "without prejudice" why I had been to France, landed at an unmanned aerodrome, left two unknown persons there without clearing Immigration and Customs and had then left without clearance, without clearing Customs or Emigration. I duly replied and never heard another word from them. Months later, I had a letter from Mardyck saying that they were sorry that they had missed me but he, their only Air Traffic Controller, had been on "conge" (holiday) but had heard that I had been over and hoped that we had "enjoyed our visit. " I always wondered who the lone figure on the bicycle was and was told by people who know about these things that he would have been the "garde de champetre". Literally Guardian of the fields (locality). This position is still in existence and is, literally a paid official whose business it is to know everything about the locality in which he lives and to aid the Police, local Officials and Doctors etc. in everything that he sees and hears.. A sort of Official "Nosey Parker". I had a later experience that showed me how efficiently they work but that is another story.
The airfield, at Rochester , drops away to the west and there is a deep valley along which the M2 now runs, just before the bridge which spans the Medway. Once when coming in to land, just before lunch on the 3rd. May 1951, in an Oxford with my two Naval Lieutenants having finished their Instrument lesson, I was approaching to land from the West Malling direction, had my wheels and flaps down and was coming to the valley when both engines cut out. I just had enough time to stick the nose down , dive into the valley and gain enough speed to pull up over the ridge and flop the Oxbox down on to the grass. My wheels had already been lowered for the landing ! Two very quiet and shaken Naval Pilots had lunch with me that day. Blocked fuel lines were found to have cut off the cross feed to both engines but I felt for the Captain who put his plane down on the Hudson when I read about it more recently. You don't have time to think and that is where experience saves you.
Whilst I was still at Rochester my Mother and Father decide to make a coach tour on the Continent. Not liking sea travel they asked me if it would be possible to fly them to Dunkirk where they would meet the coach. Shorts had a single engined Proctor which they hired out to the staff at cost so together with my Wife, Dora, we set off. I had written to the authorities at the small aerodrome of Mardyck, near Dunkirk, telling them when I would be arriving. I had not received any reply but, nevertheless, we flew off to Lympne to clear Customs and Passport Control. When we got there I found that I had left the briefcase with the "ship's papers" and our passports at Rochester so I had to go back there and collect them before presenting myself to my not very impressed Mother and my more tolerant Father and my not very surprised at all, Wife.
Thank goodness, we had a lovely flight across the Channel. I flew low and it was the first time that I had flown with Dora as a passsenger and it was lovely to have her sitting next to me as we flew to France. When we got to Dunkirk we could not raise anyone on the Radio and Mardyck looked deserted.. It was a grass aerodrome so I put down as near to the Control Tower as possible. There was not a soul in sight anywhere. Eventually a lone figure on a bicycle appeared on the horizon. When he got to us he made us understand that we were to wait there for the Gendarmerie. Thre was a howling wind and we sat for what seemed like hours and, eventually a sinister looking black gangsterlike Citroen arrived and discharged four big Gendarmes. Nobody, but nobody spoke a word of English but papers were demanded,Passports were examined...nay, scrutinised and immediately confiscated but , the Radio Licence bore the Royal Seal and obviously impressed them immensely. All this was performed ouside the plane with the papers held down in the cold wind on the wing of the plane with my Mother trying to dictate matters by speaking English about x number of Decibels louder than anyone else. The man with the bicycle had disappeared but turned up again about twenty minutes later closely followed by yet another sinister black Citroen which turned out to be a taxi.. We all crowded into this and the whole cortege swept into Dunkirk to what turned out to be the Police Station . There we, at last, managed to get the Chief of Police to understand that we were merely seeing my parents off on a tour and the ship was due in about two hours... Eventually it was decided that we could stay as long as we kept the taxi driver with us so we went to the docks where we were told that the ship was two hours late. My Father, who was always the worrying sort, wanted to sit there on the dock until the ship appeared but my Mother, as usual, got her own way and suggested that we had something to eat. All of us, taxi driver included, had a very good lunch together and ., eventually met the ship and put my relieved parents on the coach.. On the way back to the airfield we passed the taxidriver's home. His wife ran out shouting that she had a message for us to fly to Lille and clear Customs there before returning to Lympne, in England. I was now in a quandary, Because of my return to Rochester I had not enough fuel to fly to Lille, then on to Lympne and then to Rochester. I had not enough money to buy fuel and credit cards were unheard of in those early days of the '50's. Taking my courage in both hands, I took off from the deserted airfield , thanking the good old Proctor which fired first time on the battery, and flew straight back to Lympne where I went up to the Tower and explained , to the best of my ability, what had happened. The Controller was most helpful. " We can contact the Customs at Calais direct on VHF and explain" he said. He did so and I asked him to apologise to French Customs. I shall never forget the answer that came back " Monsieur, you cannot apologise to French Customs.
Weeks later , I received a letter from the M.C. A. ( Ministry of Civil Aviation ), asking me , most civilly as befited their name, to explain "without prejudice" why I had been to France, landed at an unmanned aerodrome, left two unknown persons there without clearing Immigration and Customs and had then left without clearance, without clearing Customs or Emigration. I duly replied and never heard another word from them. Months later, I had a letter from Mardyck saying that they were sorry that they had missed me but he, their only Air Traffic Controller, had been on "conge" (holiday) but had heard that I had been over and hoped that we had "enjoyed our visit. " I always wondered who the lone figure on the bicycle was and was told by people who know about these things that he would have been the "garde de champetre". Literally Guardian of the fields (locality). This position is still in existence and is, literally a paid official whose business it is to know everything about the locality in which he lives and to aid the Police, local Officials and Doctors etc. in everything that he sees and hears.. A sort of Official "Nosey Parker". I had a later experience that showed me how efficiently they work but that is another story.
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Flying to France in the 'good' old days
Hi regle,
In due course we may discover an aviation experience you have not yet had...
Yonks ago, I read about a Brit pilot heading for France (1920/30s I recall) and arriving roughly overhead the aerodrome at night. He knew he was in the right place but there were simply no lights showing. He circled for twenty minutes and eventually the lights came on. The controller (total airfield staff - one) explained that he could hear the aircraft overhead, but he was finishing his evening meal, and monsieur could not possibly object to that, could he...?
A nice little booklet, the Imperial Airways Pilot's Handbook for 1924 has a few gems about the carriage of various items of freight. If gold bullion was being carried, the pilot was provided with a pistol. A lot of loyalty expected in those days...
At a guess, you might have flown the Chippie before it had the anti-spin strakes. If you did, did you happen to notice any big difference?
Cheers,
Dave
In due course we may discover an aviation experience you have not yet had...
Yonks ago, I read about a Brit pilot heading for France (1920/30s I recall) and arriving roughly overhead the aerodrome at night. He knew he was in the right place but there were simply no lights showing. He circled for twenty minutes and eventually the lights came on. The controller (total airfield staff - one) explained that he could hear the aircraft overhead, but he was finishing his evening meal, and monsieur could not possibly object to that, could he...?
A nice little booklet, the Imperial Airways Pilot's Handbook for 1924 has a few gems about the carriage of various items of freight. If gold bullion was being carried, the pilot was provided with a pistol. A lot of loyalty expected in those days...
At a guess, you might have flown the Chippie before it had the anti-spin strakes. If you did, did you happen to notice any big difference?
Cheers,
Dave
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Dave Goosequill
I never had to use my parachute other than sit on it, Thank Goodness and I never made a landing that I could'nt walk (or run ) away from although, like the Battle of Waterloo, a close run thing a few times.
I only flew the Chipmunk over a period of three days and never, never tried a spin ! Why stick your neck out ? Reg P.S. Things are bound to happen when you've spent nearly three years airborne . ( I would'nt change a minute of it.)
I only flew the Chipmunk over a period of three days and never, never tried a spin ! Why stick your neck out ? Reg P.S. Things are bound to happen when you've spent nearly three years airborne . ( I would'nt change a minute of it.)
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I have been fully occupied changing my broadband supplier, phone and T.V from B.T to Sky and my time has been taken up writing threatening emails and phone calls . Still no sign of going off and on line.. Trouble obtaining M.A.C No, and transferring .Had the item below saved in M.S Word for a few days,. and intended to add final days at ‘heavy con’ buy decided to post now.
Paula R.A.F in Oklahoma in Facebook
Or gen from Oklahoma 19/07/09
Paula K. Denson
Paula K. Denson
It would be fun if you could go. It is open to others so perhaps another year? Lots of places I still want to go. I am going to a RAF in Oklahoma book signing tomorrow at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. It should be fun. I enjoy seeing the planes and it helps me sell books. Out of 1000, I am now down to about 100. Guess I will have to write another. Ha.
Yesterday at 1:59am
What's New
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Royal Air Force Day in Oklahoma - Saturday, July 18 (Tulsa Air and Space Museum)
Royal Air Force Day in Oklahoma is dedicated to the young British troops who trained in the skies over Oklahoma during World War II. There is an unconfirmed quote attributed to Winston Churchill that says, "The Battle of Britain was won in the skies of Oklahoma." True or not, it speaks to the thousands of young men who trained in Oklahoma. Flying from bases in Miami and Ponca City they learned to fly first, the PT-19 primary trainers or PT-17, and then they moved up to the BT-13 and the AT-6 advanced trainers. Once the cadets earned their wings, they returned to England to help win the war. Some of the young men lost their lives in training accidents and are buried in Oklahoma cemeteries. Their graves are tended to this day by Oklahomans who honor them for making the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom.
FROM TULSA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM.
Planned are several activities to play tribute to these World War II British cadets.
Beginning at 10:00 AM
Military vehicles on display
Book Signing
Paula K. Denson of Ponca City, author of The Royal Air Force in Oklahoma: Lives, Love and Courage of the British Aircrews Trained in Oklahoma During World War II.
Aircraft on display (weather permitting)
AT-6 10:15 AM arrival
BT-13 10:20 AM arrival
Aircraft will depart at approximately 4:00 PM. (Schedule is subject to change.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Brakedwell for offer of lenses, but I do have some of the type already mentioned Stadium MK V111.
REG I watched T.V program , excellent.
Paula R.A.F in Oklahoma in Facebook
Or gen from Oklahoma 19/07/09
Paula K. Denson
Paula K. Denson
It would be fun if you could go. It is open to others so perhaps another year? Lots of places I still want to go. I am going to a RAF in Oklahoma book signing tomorrow at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. It should be fun. I enjoy seeing the planes and it helps me sell books. Out of 1000, I am now down to about 100. Guess I will have to write another. Ha.
Yesterday at 1:59am
What's New
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Royal Air Force Day in Oklahoma - Saturday, July 18 (Tulsa Air and Space Museum)
Royal Air Force Day in Oklahoma is dedicated to the young British troops who trained in the skies over Oklahoma during World War II. There is an unconfirmed quote attributed to Winston Churchill that says, "The Battle of Britain was won in the skies of Oklahoma." True or not, it speaks to the thousands of young men who trained in Oklahoma. Flying from bases in Miami and Ponca City they learned to fly first, the PT-19 primary trainers or PT-17, and then they moved up to the BT-13 and the AT-6 advanced trainers. Once the cadets earned their wings, they returned to England to help win the war. Some of the young men lost their lives in training accidents and are buried in Oklahoma cemeteries. Their graves are tended to this day by Oklahomans who honor them for making the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom.
FROM TULSA AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM.
Planned are several activities to play tribute to these World War II British cadets.
Beginning at 10:00 AM
Military vehicles on display
Book Signing
Paula K. Denson of Ponca City, author of The Royal Air Force in Oklahoma: Lives, Love and Courage of the British Aircrews Trained in Oklahoma During World War II.
Aircraft on display (weather permitting)
AT-6 10:15 AM arrival
BT-13 10:20 AM arrival
Aircraft will depart at approximately 4:00 PM. (Schedule is subject to change.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Brakedwell for offer of lenses, but I do have some of the type already mentioned Stadium MK V111.
REG I watched T.V program , excellent.
... ia there something you're not telling us?????
Paula K. Denson of Ponca City, author of The Royal Air Force in Oklahoma: Lives, Loves and Courage of the British Aircrews Trained in Oklahoma During World War II.
For those who missed Reg's performance, it is still available on "Catch-Up" until tomorrow, so I suggest you all do so (and record it too!) so you can see Mr "Dapper" in all his glory (must have taken the make up department a while!!).
For those who can, the Bleriot 100th Anniversary flight commemoration is 24th and 25th (that's this Friday/Sat coming), with 4 Bleriot replicas (one original) and sundry other microlights heading for The Duke of Wellington playing fields (that's the School in Dover, NOT Waterloo!!). The Dover webasite has full details, so you can check whats on and when.
Reg will probably be signing autographs - for charity!!! No, I just made that up!!
Hope the weather holds.
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Make up ?????? Not B****y Likeky
I care9... The dates for the Bleriot celebration are Saturday the 25th. and Sunday the 26th. It should be good and the forecast for the weather is a sunny weekend. The Red Arrows and their French equivalent are due plus some 300 microlights (French , British and Belgian pilots ) coming over and also a genuine Bleriot IX monoplane not a replica is , winds permitting, going to reenact the celebrated flight ( but not the original landing, I hope. ) All this plus other shows and a whole array of French, Italian ( I am told ) and British shops along the Marine Parade should make for a very good couple of days. I shall not be signing anything ! And I swear by all that I hold dear that no makeup was even considered. There were mutterings of nothing could be done to improve on what nature had inflicted ! Best regards. Reg. PS If you must , the "Catch Up" programme is available for three weeks, not three days.
Last edited by regle; 23rd Jul 2009 at 11:12.
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Thought this thread needs to get back on the front page!
Reg I see the Swedish guy got his Bleriot across the Channel.
Reg I used your TV appearance as a guinea pig to try out my new Sky+ machine to record so you are preserved for posterity
Cliffnemo Where are you?
Reg I see the Swedish guy got his Bleriot across the Channel.
Reg I used your TV appearance as a guinea pig to try out my new Sky+ machine to record so you are preserved for posterity
Cliffnemo Where are you?
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Odds And Ends
Stop press .
After many threatening emails and phone calls.(and Offcom say no more than five days.) after two weeks I received my M.A.C Number, and informed changeover date will be August the third.
Gypsy.
Great to hear from you again. I have also just had my new Sky + H.D box and H.D television installed, and very pleased with it. Still waiting for Broadband change.
Don’t quite understand the question. Herewith possible answers.
Location? - Liverpool or La La Land.
Where have I been the last few days? - Battling with Sky and B.T
ICARE ,
I think ‘Loves ‘ refers to our love of the A.T.6, of solo aerobatics., and most of our instructors .Far be it from me to have anything to do with the beautiful ladies of Ponca City, but back to more serious matters., such as training at Bottesford.
GOOSEQUILL.
There were two different stores systems in the R.A.F, system A, and system B. System B was used by stores in war zones. Under system A, modelled on a system used by Woolworths pre war, each stock sheet was issued by a senior officer numbered, date stamped, and would be very difficult to remove or alter,- in war zones stock sheets were unsigned, so complete records could be removed and replaced with a better looking copy. Any ‘Store bashers’ out there to confirm or dispute?
Our next flight after our trip to the Scilly Isles was to practice high level bombing, all on MK1 & MK 111 Lancasters This was carried at our bombing range at Alkborough, situated at the side of the river Trent, South of its confluence with the Humber. This took two hours so I would guess this would include returning to our airfield to ‘bomb up’ again more than once. The following days we had two hours exercise 12 (Landing into wind) . Two hours on the Link Trainer. Two hours fifteen minutes high level bombing and fighter affiliation . One hour instrument flying. One hour navigation , course flying.. Five hours twenty minutes a cross country and high level bombing . This was followed by a trip to Tours, of six hours twenty five minutes. Which I think would be a diversion raid dropping ‘Windows’ Most readers will know about the use of ‘Windows’ , but for those who do not, Strips of sliver paper were folded and packed in large bundles which when dropped from an aircraft, unfolded and floated down to earth, each strip would appear on German radar as an aircraft, and hopefully confuse the operators. The F/E removed the binding from each pack before dropping it down the flare shoot by his right foot. I think this must have been a diversion raid, as on return we had to divert to Dishforth due to bad vis at Bottesford and landed together with hundreds of other aircraft.. Think I may have said previously that this happened at Hemswell but my log book says , Bottesford. Sorry. Another cross country flight of five hours fifty minutes, which also included high level bombing , and training on H2S. One more high level bombing exercise , giving a total of fifty four hours, after which we were posted to Hemswell.
I have just found a map headed Antwerp, and thought I would reproduce it below as it shows a track penciled in but with no course, so must have been used for map reading by a previous user. As it possibly shows the route an aircraft took to tow gliders to or drop parachutists at, Arnhem, I thought it might be of interest to some people. The penciled line may be faint (below), but it shows a track outward bound over Malines, to a T.P near Leende, then N.E over Helmond, to a T.P at Pannerden and N.W to a T.P at Hoissen just South of Arnhem. Would this be the place where the Gliders were released ?. The track then shows they return in a straight line over Hertogenbosch, and North of Antwerp.. ( I must be a kleptomaniac)
Don't forfget control + on Vista will enlarge pic.
<a href="http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj248/cliffordleach/?action=view¤t=FINALARNHEMMAP246.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj248/cliffordleach/th_FINALARNHEMMAP246.jpg" border="0" alt="ARNHEM MAP" ></a>
I have to prepare my Beach Buggy now for the International show at R.A.F Woodvale., next Sunday. One item of great interest to the public is a Rolls Royce Merlin engine which is periodically started and run , but certainly not ‘Put through the gate’ My grandson thinks the noise is ‘wicked’, think that is the equivalent of ‘wizzo’.
After many threatening emails and phone calls.(and Offcom say no more than five days.) after two weeks I received my M.A.C Number, and informed changeover date will be August the third.
Gypsy.
Great to hear from you again. I have also just had my new Sky + H.D box and H.D television installed, and very pleased with it. Still waiting for Broadband change.
Cliffnemo Where are you?
Location? - Liverpool or La La Land.
Where have I been the last few days? - Battling with Sky and B.T
ICARE ,
I think ‘Loves ‘ refers to our love of the A.T.6, of solo aerobatics., and most of our instructors .Far be it from me to have anything to do with the beautiful ladies of Ponca City, but back to more serious matters., such as training at Bottesford.
GOOSEQUILL.
There were two different stores systems in the R.A.F, system A, and system B. System B was used by stores in war zones. Under system A, modelled on a system used by Woolworths pre war, each stock sheet was issued by a senior officer numbered, date stamped, and would be very difficult to remove or alter,- in war zones stock sheets were unsigned, so complete records could be removed and replaced with a better looking copy. Any ‘Store bashers’ out there to confirm or dispute?
Our next flight after our trip to the Scilly Isles was to practice high level bombing, all on MK1 & MK 111 Lancasters This was carried at our bombing range at Alkborough, situated at the side of the river Trent, South of its confluence with the Humber. This took two hours so I would guess this would include returning to our airfield to ‘bomb up’ again more than once. The following days we had two hours exercise 12 (Landing into wind) . Two hours on the Link Trainer. Two hours fifteen minutes high level bombing and fighter affiliation . One hour instrument flying. One hour navigation , course flying.. Five hours twenty minutes a cross country and high level bombing . This was followed by a trip to Tours, of six hours twenty five minutes. Which I think would be a diversion raid dropping ‘Windows’ Most readers will know about the use of ‘Windows’ , but for those who do not, Strips of sliver paper were folded and packed in large bundles which when dropped from an aircraft, unfolded and floated down to earth, each strip would appear on German radar as an aircraft, and hopefully confuse the operators. The F/E removed the binding from each pack before dropping it down the flare shoot by his right foot. I think this must have been a diversion raid, as on return we had to divert to Dishforth due to bad vis at Bottesford and landed together with hundreds of other aircraft.. Think I may have said previously that this happened at Hemswell but my log book says , Bottesford. Sorry. Another cross country flight of five hours fifty minutes, which also included high level bombing , and training on H2S. One more high level bombing exercise , giving a total of fifty four hours, after which we were posted to Hemswell.
I have just found a map headed Antwerp, and thought I would reproduce it below as it shows a track penciled in but with no course, so must have been used for map reading by a previous user. As it possibly shows the route an aircraft took to tow gliders to or drop parachutists at, Arnhem, I thought it might be of interest to some people. The penciled line may be faint (below), but it shows a track outward bound over Malines, to a T.P near Leende, then N.E over Helmond, to a T.P at Pannerden and N.W to a T.P at Hoissen just South of Arnhem. Would this be the place where the Gliders were released ?. The track then shows they return in a straight line over Hertogenbosch, and North of Antwerp.. ( I must be a kleptomaniac)
Don't forfget control + on Vista will enlarge pic.
<a href="http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj248/cliffordleach/?action=view¤t=FINALARNHEMMAP246.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj248/cliffordleach/th_FINALARNHEMMAP246.jpg" border="0" alt="ARNHEM MAP" ></a>
I have to prepare my Beach Buggy now for the International show at R.A.F Woodvale., next Sunday. One item of great interest to the public is a Rolls Royce Merlin engine which is periodically started and run , but certainly not ‘Put through the gate’ My grandson thinks the noise is ‘wicked’, think that is the equivalent of ‘wizzo’.
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The tumult and the shouting dies...
The Captains and the Kings depart" .... and leaves the world to silence and to me....... For World read Dover. The Bleriot Weekend had to be seen to be believed.... P & O's Computer crashed early the first morning and the resultant traffic jam "Gridlocked" the entire Town and it's surroundings as far back as Folkestone and Canterbury. When it recovered the weekend was a great success despite the seething Michael Carson, being and I quote him "stitched up by the French" by being refused permission to take off in his genuine Bleriot XI as being "too dangerous with the present winds" whilst permitting two French pilots, of course, to go with two replicas. Nevertheless there were various displays of Sky diving, launch rescues A wonderful display of grace and beauty from a Spitfire but , Alas , only a very brief but spectacular "Fly Past" By the Red Arrows and, I hate to say this but , an even better one from the following "Patrouille De France" ( Formation even tighter !). They came over the Castle where the Guests were assembling for one of the finest meals and evenings that I have experienced. The Steaks were the most tender that I had ever tasted, and I have eaten the fabulous "Kyoto" ones where the cattle are "beer massaged" daily by the Japanese Farmers, . They came from the nearby Alkham Valley and I now have the name of the Butcher ! There must have been over two hundred guests assembled in a most remarkable and beautiful Marquee on the lawn of the "Look out Post" jutting out of the cliff top in front of Dover Castle.
The guests included the Bleriot family with whom I aired my French and was very warmly received, Dignitaries from the Royal Aero Club, Representatives of France, Italy ,and from Dover, the (Lady") Mayor who was the unfortunate recipient of the Guest Speaker's (Gyles Brandreth) rather over the top , remarks concerning her proximity to the President of Italy's Ambassador who was sitting quite close to her and telling her how lucky that she was . She bore his remarks with great dignity and was treated to a resounding round of applause after the speeches were over. Gyle's speech was very witty and completely over the heads of the many nice Americans scattered around the room but I think that he rather got carried away with his own exuberance and went a little too far.....!
The evening culminated with a display of fireworks from the Harbour that lay below us and took me straight back to Berlin, The Ruhr (Happy Valley) ! I was fortunate in having Cliff Spink and his charming Wife as companions and we spent the whole time reminiscing and I could not believe that he was some thirty years or so younger than me . He was supposed to bring his own personal Spitfire over but told me that the tail wheel fell off or was punctured before take off. If I have strayed from the "Thread", Forgive me but I would not have been present to relate this to you if I had not "gained my brevet in WWII" Reg le Thank you "The Gypsy" for "posterising" me , in the Sky, so to speak.
The guests included the Bleriot family with whom I aired my French and was very warmly received, Dignitaries from the Royal Aero Club, Representatives of France, Italy ,and from Dover, the (Lady") Mayor who was the unfortunate recipient of the Guest Speaker's (Gyles Brandreth) rather over the top , remarks concerning her proximity to the President of Italy's Ambassador who was sitting quite close to her and telling her how lucky that she was . She bore his remarks with great dignity and was treated to a resounding round of applause after the speeches were over. Gyle's speech was very witty and completely over the heads of the many nice Americans scattered around the room but I think that he rather got carried away with his own exuberance and went a little too far.....!
The evening culminated with a display of fireworks from the Harbour that lay below us and took me straight back to Berlin, The Ruhr (Happy Valley) ! I was fortunate in having Cliff Spink and his charming Wife as companions and we spent the whole time reminiscing and I could not believe that he was some thirty years or so younger than me . He was supposed to bring his own personal Spitfire over but told me that the tail wheel fell off or was punctured before take off. If I have strayed from the "Thread", Forgive me but I would not have been present to relate this to you if I had not "gained my brevet in WWII" Reg le Thank you "The Gypsy" for "posterising" me , in the Sky, so to speak.
