Gaining An R.A.F Pilots Brevet In WW II

[Icare9]

The American Legion branch (#30) in Albany, Georgia is named after a Walter H Burt.
Walter H. Burt Post 30, 2916, Gillionville Rd. Albany, GA 31721
Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected]

and it is a marvellous tribute to all those who aspired to gain their wings, (physical and metaphysical in many cases).

[JDCAVE]

Hi: I am new to this forum, and am glad to see my colleague Cliffnemo from the lancasterforum on board here. Also interested to see "Fred" who may have been at Fairoaks at the same time as my father. F/Lt. HHM Cave was an instructor at Fairoaks (Rank of P/O and then F/O), 1942-1943. Dad later became a pilot on Lancasters with 419 Squadron, completing a tour, September 1944-March 1945.

Dad and colleagues at Fairoaks.



Jim

[pbeach]

Kings Flight - RAF

Within my Grandfathers record with the RAF, I have as one of his "movements"
a posting to HM The Kings Flight in 1948. I know what the Kings Flight is, but
can anyone explain to me how such a posting would come about, and whether it
was considered to be an honour, or not.

Regards
Paul

[fredjhh]

The King's Flight

pbeach
The King's Flight was formed before WW2 for King Edward VIII and was kept on by George VI. I don't know if it was continued during the war but it was later The Queen's Flight. I believe the Queen had to authorise every use of the aircraft, which included helicopters, and was also used by Cabinet Ministers. It would have been an honour to be appointed to the Flight, and the Ground Crew usually stayed until they retired from the RAF.
The Air Commodore, who was the Captain of the Queen's Flight, said the Ground Crew willingly worked all hours to make sure aircraft were in tip-top condition. If an aircraft, or helicopter, landed one man was always waiting with a paint pot and brush to touch up any spots.
For long flights the Queen usually used rented civil aircraft, or VC10s from 101 Squadron. The VC10 conversion to Royal furnishings could be carried out within 24 hours.
I had a conducted tour of the Flight at RAF Benson, just before it was moved from the RAF to civil contractors ( I believe Belgians! ) at RAF Northolt.
Fred

[Fareastdriver]

IIRC the Queens Flight de Havilland Herons had to withdrawn from service because they were so heavily polished that the fuselage skins became unacceptably thin. After that they were all painted all over.

[debsholl]

hello

hi i am married to martin hollis who is ralph hollis nephew my son came across your post it seems you may have a picture of ralph and pam and any stories would be nice to hear my email is [email protected]

[tarantonight]

Have to agree with Post 2144 above. Before you know it, time has whizzed by. Just shows our interest and gratitude for this period in history.

TN.

[rmventuri]

Hcu 1663

Fred, do you remember any of the following pilots (instructors?) from Rufforth; F/O Clack (DFM), Sgt James, F/O Raymond, Sgt Stimson? I wonder if any are still alive.

I believe Clack was KIA in the Nuremberg raid 30/31 March '44 - his 2nd tour - must have been instructing between tours.

[Wig Wag]

I have already posted this on the Military Forum

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...haymarket.html

but this play is excellent because it appeals to any Military aircrew. There were plenty of RAF types in the audience and it's a terrific salute to Bomber Command pilots.

[saraholton]

Bobbie Munns

Horsham St Faith 1942. I have been trying to find something of my mothers life during the war. I have a photograph of her which says "RAF HSF 19.3.1942 "Taken during practice gas attack. " Now against all real hope I have been trying to track anyone else that may have be stationed there at the same time. My mum was born in 1923 so would have been around 19 - although she told us she worked with the man that developed radar - so I am not sure if she may have been transferred. perhaps when the USAAF arrived at Horsham St Faith. If you would not mind I would very much like to send you a photograph to see if you can remember her - you never know! you can contact me on [email protected]

[Viola]

such an interesting thread

I've been absolutely fascinated by the recollections on this thread.

It's a pity it slipped back several pages.

[Fareastdriver]

The reason the momentum slackened on this thread was because of Posts 2022/23

[Molemot]

Looking back (as I had forgotten the subject matter of the posts you referenced) it seems that that particular subject was dealt with in the next few posts...there follows 6 pages of further fascinating reminiscences. I can see no apparent link between these two posts and the reduction of activity on this thread; it seems to me that all it needs is a few more qualified contributors....

[Union Jack]

I believe that a more realistic reason for the reduction of activity on this fascinating thread is Post 1892, which posted the sad news of the wonderful Regle's departure to a higher flight level. It would therefore be great to hear more from Cliff, who started the thread as well as other distinguished contributors such as Fred.

Yours in hopeful anticipation

Jack

[Fareastdriver]

People who fight in wars in any capacity know that their, and the actions of their colleagues, may not be squeaky clean in the heat of battle. If any of them write down their experiences as truthfully as they can remember they are not going to bother if their actions or those of the colleagues are immediatley slagged off or criticised because they are not technically legal.

The Germans may have looked after the cows in occupied countries; pity about the people.

[kookabat]

On a slightly happier note, the weekend just gone was rather significant in Canberra, Australia. It was the now-annual Bomber Command Commemoration Day. A meet & greet function in the shadow of G for George, a 460 Sqn Lancaster at the Australian War Memorial, kicked things off on Saturday night, then there was a ceremony on the Sunday morning and a lunch afterwards. Perhaps 250 people were at the lunch, 40 or so were veterans. Wandering around the tables talking to so many fascinating people was an experience, I can tell you.

Following the service on the Sunday morning, all Bomber Command veterans present assembled for a remarkable group photograph. I count 50 in this photo:


Events like this help ensure that the heroes of Bomber Command are remembered.

Adam

[canuck98k]

Another clue is that my own mid-upper Gunner, Roy Burch, was also a Canadian and in the R.C.A.F. and would certainly know your Uncle as a fellow member of the Sgt's Mess. Once again, unfortunately, he was the only member of my crew to volunteer to stay on after I had finished my tour and was shot down and killed in March of 1944.

The mid upper gunner was slightly wounded by the initial burst of fire. He was very lucky because he had, like a lot of the gunners were wont to do, taken out the armour plating that was placed just before his face in order to have better visibility, and I had noticed this in my preflight and told him to replace it. The German's first burst of fire had hit squarely on the plating and Roy, the Canadian mid upper, had received a splinter in his shoulder but it was a very slight wound.

Amazing thread.

Roy Burch was my great uncle. If anyone has any more information about this topic, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

Thank You.

[November4]

Slightly off topic as it relates to the First War....

Just had the latest newsletter from the RAF Museum - in that, it says that some private collections of photos from the First war have been posted on flickr. Amongst the images is an album showing RFC pilots being trained in America during the First war. Must admit that this was news to me.

A group from 80 CTS, Texas 9th March 1918

[Union Jack]

In Memoriam - Captain Reg Levy DFC

Remembering with the greatest admiration Captain Reg Levy DFC who, having contributed so enormously to this outstanding thread, took off on his last flight on 1 August 2010.

Jack

[Madbob]

Regle

Seconded, Jack. I never had the chance to meet Reg but we PM'd each other and felt I got to know him a bit. He must have been a great pilot to fly with. So self-effacing and modest about all of his achievements and always ready to listen to others.

Gone but not forgotten.

RIP Reg.

MB