Recollections of Training as Flight Engineer with ATA in GB, 1942: background to volunteering for ATA selection process for Flight Engineers reporting to ATA White Waltham, 1942 Training on HP Halifax at RAF Thuxton degree of knowledge of 4-Engined Aircraft Training as Flight Engineer provision of handling Manual. Reel 1: – Aspects of period as Aero-Engine Fitter with Air Ministry, 1939-42: death of father in WW1 Employment with Air Ministry reaction to Declaration of WW2, 3rd September 1939 posting to RAF Cosford, Duties as Aero-Engine Fitter at Cosford. Lionel Hopton Dimery, ATA Flight Engineer, No.14 FPP Ringway (Oral History) In this interview, Ken talks about what life was like as a Flight Engineer. Interview with Ken Duddell, he was a Flight Engineer on the Avro Lancaster Bombers flying out of RAF Elsham Wold during WW2. Ten little Pilot Boys have gone into Obscurity,įor paying no attention to that vital word, ‘ Security‘.Īll the little Pilot Boys are wiped clean off the Map.īecause some people will not learn to shut their Bloody Trap. She showed his letters to her Friends, then there were None. One little Pilot Boy, his mother’s favourite Son: Two little Pilot Boys, eager for some Fun: The news was passed across to France, then there were Two. Three little Pilot Boys, one talked about a ‘Do’:

Sent a postcard to his home, then there were Three.

One discussed it much too loud, then there were Four.įour little Pilot Boys, one posted Oversea. One showed off to a new-found friend, then there were Five.įive little Pilot Boys, discussing Fighter lore: Six little Pilot Boys, in a West- End “Dive”: He talked too much when he was tight, then there were Six Seven little Pilot Boys, one thought his drinks he’d mix: The Line was an open one and then there were Seven. The girl was paid by Germany and then there were Eight.Įight little Pilot Boys, one used a ‘phone to Devon: Nine little Pilot Boys, one had a heavy Date: Ten little Pilot Boys, one shot a fancy Line:įifth Columnists were listening and then there were Nine. On the Dash in front of him were many Dials & Switches, which included the essential Flying Instruments Air Speed Indicator, Artificial Horizon, Turn & Bank Indicator and Rate of Climb/Descent Indicator among them, while the Throttle Levers & Propeller Speed Controls were mounted on a Central Console where they could be reached by both the Pilot & the Flight Engineer. Low to the Pilot’s left was the Compass, but to allow him to Steer without constantly having to glance inside the Cockpit, a Compass Repeater was mounted on the Centre Strut of the divided Windshield. At his feet were the Rudder Pedals, which were used for Flat Turns to either side. The Column moved backwards & forwards to control the elevators in the tail, causing the Aircraft to Climb or Dive, while the Yoke moved like a car Steering Wheel, controlling the Ailerons in the Wings to make the Aircraft Bank to left or right. Straight in front of the Pilot was the Control Column, topped with a Wheel type Yoke. Behind his Head was the only piece of Armour Plating that a Lancaster carried, a 4mm thick sheet of Armour, the top part of which could be folded down. There was a direct-vision Panel on either side of the Windshield, and in the Canopy Roof was an Escape Hatch, for use in a Crash-landing or Ditching. Up front, his seat on a Raised Floor section to the Left of the Main Cabin, he had a good all-round view through the framed Canopy, albeit slightly restricted to the Rear & to Starboard. Regardless of Rank, the P ilot was Captain and always in Command of the Aircraft. They generally spent many of their off-duty hours together as well as the 1st day or 2 of Leave. Most felt that their crew was one of the best in Bomber Command. This camaraderie was crucial to maintaining morale and efficiency in the Air. However, they quickly bonded together to form a very special, tightly-knit group. Invariably all were very young, a man of 25 would likely be referred to as the “ Old Man” or “ Grandpa.” They were of different Ranks, came from all walks of life, and often from more that one Country. This book was signed by the Flight Leader each month and by the Commanding Officer of the Squadron or the various Trade Leaders at the end of the Tour (eg: a Bomb Aimer’s Log would be signed by the Bombing Leader, the Gunner’s by the Gunnery Leader etc.).Ī Lancaster Crew numbered 7 – the Pilot, Flight Engineer, Navigator, Wireless (Radio) Operator, Bomb Aimer/Front Gunner, Mid-upper Gunner & Rear Gunner. Flying Log: every Crew Member was required to keep a Flying Logbook of every Flight he took including Air Tests, Transport, Training & Operational Flying.

Lancaster bomber crew names