Flying diary

Flying diary

Accounts of flying formation on 2 February 1941, cross country in a Wellington 3 March 1941, night flying om 4 March, cross country and night flying 5 March.

Two page handwritten document

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YMackieGA855966v1

Sunday 2 Feb 1941

70 minutes formation flying in 6405 with Hodge in 6399. Tightest Formation flying so far. We dived over St Albans & then finally, over base. Recovered my confidence to a great extent. Evening, saw ‘The Baroness & the Butterfly’ in company with Pereira, Hodge, Smith, Crouchen & Orton. Wm Powell starred in the film.

3 March 41, Monday

Wakened by Esnouf at 1am. Told a wimpey had just landed. Wakened again at 4am by an S.P. with Brewerton to X Flight crewroom. details as usual an hour behind time. Then cloud and mist. At 6 am told everything off. Taxied 6399 across to ‘W’ Flight at 7.30. At other side, when swinging a/c around, rear nav-light struck heap of tarred road material. Took a/c back to no. 2 hangar. Did some formation flying with Millet in the afternoon.

4 March. Tuesday

Day off but detailed for Sibson for night flying. Flew there with Sgt Millar and Sgt Grain. Mist came down once I had done one circuit. Went out to Elton, a nearby village; not to the Haycock as we usually do. Got back about 11pm. Still misty. Slept reasonably warmly under 6 damp, mud-caked blankets. Up at

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8. Back at Cranfield by 10.

Wednesday. 5 March 41

Within half an hour of landing from Sibson, was sent off on no.5 cross-country with Pereira. Landed 3pm. Shower and shave. Detailed for night-flying. At 8pm did 3 circuits dual, then told to go solo. Suspense was increased by the aircraft having to have a fresh battery fitted. made a botch of my first approach, finishing up at 300’ at right angles, for God’s sake, to the runway. Didn’t panic. Made a second circuit and a good landing.