Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum

I am just re-visiting this subject and have done more research into the early training programme. However, I am still short of information on when Fitter (FE) were introduced into the Stirling crews. No 35 Squadron (Halifax) had them as early as 1941 and 1940 documents suggest that they were to be i...

Keith I would recommend that you follow Max's advice and obtain a copy of his service record. The rules for applying and the application forms can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records If you apply as next of kin you will get far more information. Go...

Thanks Ian; every snippet of information helps. I have no knowledge regarding the Stirling squadrons, so I don't know how common the use of a qualified Fitter / Mechanic as a Flight Engineer was during 1940 / 1941 / 1942, nor whether training was purely "on the job" experience. I will keep...

Thanks Richard As you say, FE Training was formalised in 1942, with the first course at St Athan starting on 30th May. The length of the first few courses (which were for qualified Fitters) was reduced from six weeks to three / four weeks. I am sure that No. 35 Squadron was not the only squadron ope...

As part of my aircrew training research, I am in the process of researching early flight engineer training and I have extracted the following from information I have recorded on the RAFCommands Forum http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?19927-Flight-Engineer-training-WWII ----------------...

Just for completeness, my understanding (and I am no expert!) is that the AN-M series were American bombs used by the RAF. Examples of the ones used by the RAF were: AN-M64 (General Purpose, 500lb) AN-M65 (General Purpose, 1000lb) AN-M58 (Semi-Armour Piercing, 500lb) AN-M59 (Semi-Armour Piercing, 10...

James

Is the pdf still available online, as last time I looked (having lost my version) it had been taken offline due to concerns about its usage in the modern day world.

[UPDATE: Just found a version at http://www.lexpev.nl/downloads/britishe ... ce1946.pdf]

Regards

Pete

I believe that was one of the standard Lancaster bomb loads consisting of 11 x 1000lb AN-M series bombs and 4 x 500lb GP (General Purpose) bombs.

I may be able to provide further details tomorrow, although I am sure others will chip in in the mean time.

Regards

Pete

The exercises I have for 5 Lancaster Finishing School are: 1. Dual circuits and landings [DAY] 2. Solo circuits and landings [DAY] 3. Fighter Tactics (including evasion, corkscrews, diving turns and fighter affiliation) [DAY] 4. Cross Country and high level bombing [DAY] 5. Dual circuits and landing...

Just to add that the standard routine was for the crew to fly dual with an instructor followed by solo; I am assuming that the number of pilots shown reflected whether it was a dual or solo exercise.

Regards

Pete