This may be well-known , but it’s new to me. I had always thought that Wellington operations in WW2 were single pilot, with a five-man crew. Indeed some of the flights that I have researched clearly mention that as a fact.
However, I was recently discussing this with the son of a WW2 navigator on Wellingtons, who informed me that operational flights were with six crew, including two pilots. I have been reading some ORBs he sent me from Kew and indeed there are details of two pilots in most, if not all, the operations.
I also saw this in a forum: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/20694-crew-positions-in-a-wellington/
Quote: I think if you look at the Wellington crewing it could comprise of 5 or 6 and the latter was the reason for the Air Ministry to review the need to have two pilots.The other point was that there was two grades related to gunnery and the wireless operating functions.The Observer designation was a multirole responsibility who clearly had too a high workload to fit into the requirements of the 4 engined heavies.
Taking the 6 man crew.
Pilot.
Second Pilot.This crew member would be a pilot of less experience than the pilot (captain).The inclusion of the second pilot enabled a graduating pilot to gain experience of operations.But some aircraft carried a second pilot on the Wellington as part of the 6 man crew structure.This situation would have some bearing on the review by the Air Ministry of the need to have a second pilot and hence run the risk of the loss of two pilots if the aircraft was lost.
I should like to know if most operations were with two pilots, and, if so, was a second set of controls fitted? It must have been quite a squeeze to get someone sitting next to the captain!
I recall that at least one of the Lincolns of 7 Squadron that I was lucky enough to get some trips in as an ATC cadet had dual controls, but that most were single pilot.
Thanks for any information.
By: l.garey - 30th March 2016 at 05:31
Thanks for the further information.
By: Graham Boak - 29th March 2016 at 20:47
The early Halifaxes, from March 1941, were single pilot, as far as I know. Dual controls were an option, having been in the original (ie same as the Manchester) specification for two pilots in a total crew of four.
By: bazv - 29th March 2016 at 20:41
Also and perhaps especially early war with coastal command – although there were 2 pilots onboard – the 2nd pilot would also be the navigator,as there was a shortage of long range navs at that time.
By: Mike meteor - 29th March 2016 at 18:26
Standard practice on Wellingtons, Whitleys, Manchesters and Stirlings was for two pilots, hence the dual controls. Later, (mid 1942 I think?),in order to ‘economise’ on pilot casualties, the 2nd pilot was replaced by a Flight Engineer.
By: l.garey - 29th March 2016 at 17:25
Thanks for the picture, Dr S. Thanks Graham for the information. So, I presume that even if a second pilot was carried on Wellington operations, he would not have had dual controls. Would he even have a right hand seat? I have been looking at the ORBs for 75 Squadron for 1940-1941 and just about every flight was 6-man: captain, second pilot, WO, Nav and two gunners.
By: Graham Boak - 29th March 2016 at 17:10
It was normal to have dual controls as an option on the heavy bombers, but usually only in training units. Bomber missions were described as normally being single pilot, and crews are described that way. However it was common practice to occasionally have a second pilot along on a mission, either a new squadron member being taken along to gain experience, or a senior man checking out what it was like. The second posting is about a Coastal Command unit, with generally longer missions requiring constant lookout. These were recognised as more tiring so a second pilot would be carried.
By: Dr Strangelove - 29th March 2016 at 16:45
My Dad was in a crew of 6 on Wellingtons, the second pilot was called Stan Lock on his crew, I think he started out as a Flight Engineer. Oddly enough they went down to a crew of 5 when the Coastal Command Wellingtons versions had the front turret deleted , so their nose gunner (Andy Wade) was posted out to a Marauder squadron.
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March 29, 2016 at 4:02 pm