Flight Training,So Rhodesia

lancashirelass · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Flight Training,So Rhodesia

alieneyes · Group Captain

These links should give you a lot of background a little bit of flavour:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Commonwealth_Air_Training_Plan#Southern_Rhodesia

http://www.rhodesia.nl/Aviation/airtrain.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/50/a6478950.shtml

lancashirelass · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Ailieneyes,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I will give those sites a whirl.

ME453 · Flight Lieutenant

My father trained as a pilot in S Rhodesia and was kept out there as a flying instructor, much to his disappointment. I have recently updated my website www.ordinarycrew.co.uk to show a lot more information about the stations and the aircraft they flew. You'll find it under "An RAFVR's Tale" including several photographs and descriptions. Get back to me if you need more.
Max

-- Edited by ME453 on Saturday 7th of November 2009 11:00:24 AM

lancashirelass · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello Max,

    I will go to your site the first chance that I get. I am really looking forward to perusing it. I have a pretty busy schedule today so it will have to be later. What years was your father teaching there ?

    My niece has my brother Bert's diary which I know has entries about his time at training school in So Rhodesia. Unfortunately I can't get her to show it to me. Say's she "can't find it" It is so frustrating as she wasn't even born when Bert was killed so never even knew him. I don't even know how she got possession of it. I have told to just take a copy of it for me.

   My brother met a young lady while he was there and I know that he had plans to go back if he survived the war and get married. I would love to read his thoughts on that and much more....Ah well!! That's life!

   Thank you for replying.

   Kindest regards,

   Margaret

ME453 · Flight Lieutenant

Dad started his training in early 43, everybody had to do their ITW at Hillside - basically learning how to march etc etc, they were then sent to different EFTSs (Elementary Flying Training Schools) to learn the basics of flying in Tiger Moths. Progression was then to a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) flying more complex aircraft, perhaps a twin-engined Anson or a single-engined Harvard. Dad was at 28 EFTS Mt Hampden and 20 SFTS Cranborne. He then went to 31 FIS (Flying Instructors' School) at Norton. He ended his career at 24 Navigation, Bombing and Gunnery School at Moffat.
Always happy to help Margaret.
Regards
Max

lancashirelass · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello Max,

   I have just had a look at your Dad's diary. How wonderful to have his experience in his own words. It reminds me just how much I am missing by not seeing my brother's diary.   Bert was always an excellent student and spoke several languages fluently. Prior to volunteering for the RAF he was serving in the Grenedier Guards, and had to repay them quite a sum of money to be released in order to join the RAF. His biggest desire was to become a pilot. He was an avid photographer, as your father appeared to be, and I'm sure would have had some wonderful pictures. Sadly I just don't know what happened to all of his personal belongings.

   Regards,

   Margaret