Ian Blair gave an excellent presentation to Air-Britain Stansted Branch last week about his time in the RAF.
In summary he started off at 16 as an armourer and moved on to become weapons officer flying operations in Iraq and North Africa (Bleheim 1s). During his ops in Egypt he saved his aircraft and crew after the pilot was killed, for which he recieved the DFM.
Having shown the aptitute to fly he was put forward for multi-engined pilot training (in various places in Southern Africa) before returning to the UK. On allocation to a squadron, (106 in South Wales I think) he found it was a Spitfire Squadron, where he opted to stay and after some additional training (on Masters) he stayed on Spitfires for the rest of his time in the RAF.
He served at various places as in the South mainly in a tactical (ground attack/bomber escorts) role leading up to D-Day. The incident in Shetland took place when his squadron was posted there for R & R.
A fine, modest gentlemen who experiences were most interesting to listen to and it was a pleasure to have met him.
Phil
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