Hi guys
You might remember me posting something about fighter squadrons in France, 1940, for a novel I’m working on.
Well, after much soul-searching I’ve decided to scrap that section and concentrate on the Battle of Britain – I have far more material on the subject, anyway. Plus, I don’t want any similarities drawn between my book and a much more well-known (to us, at least) novel on that era (Piece of Cake).
Anyways, enough waffling.
What kind of training would pilots have had during the later stages of the battle? I know the training syllabus was cut down, but what did it entail? And what kind of experience are we talking beforehand? Fresh new recruits, or soloed pilots?
Any help, as ever, will be appreciated.
By: mmitch - 30th August 2003 at 11:02
In Geoffrey Wellum’s book ‘First Light’ he is posted to 92 squadron. In answer to the adjutant and S/Q Roger Bushell’s questions. He gives the following details.
169 hours total flying time, 95 solo.
Did not finish final course on Harvards.
Has not seen a Spitfire, let alone flown one!
After a check ride in a Magister he gets his first flight in a Spitfire
a couple of days after the squadron lost four pilots on their first day in battle over Dunkirk.
Oh yes and he was just 18 years and 10 months old.
mmitch.
By: coanda - 29th August 2003 at 19:49
this is a spitfire/hurricane,
This is a set of the relevant pilots notes,
Read pilots notes,
fly aircraft
dont crash.
coanda
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August 29, 2003 at 8:45 am