Heavy Conversion Unit schedules!
Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2013 6:06 pm
I always enjoy my visits (with Richard PAFG) to the National Archives, you never know quite what treasures you're going to unearth! Last Thursday's revelation was something that I really hadn't thought much about before and that is the complexity of cramming in the training for aircrew - the inexorable sausage machine. I looked at the period when "my" crew were at Swinderby (1660 HCU), which was also associated with nearby Wigsley and Winthorpe HCUs. I've posted a couple of pages which reflect the difficulties, trial and tribulations, call them what you will, in managing the flying programme on a daily basis.
The aircraft, Stirlings of course, are referenced by their HCU and code letter, e.g. 1660's R, sometimes with a line above. Various exercises are referred to, for instance Ex 13 is Cross Country High Level Bombing (XCHLB).
The handwriting isn't great but it's worth persevering in order to understand a typical night's flying programme at HCUs. The Base Commander by the way is W/Cdr Rollo Kingsford-Smith.
The aircraft, Stirlings of course, are referenced by their HCU and code letter, e.g. 1660's R, sometimes with a line above. Various exercises are referred to, for instance Ex 13 is Cross Country High Level Bombing (XCHLB).
The handwriting isn't great but it's worth persevering in order to understand a typical night's flying programme at HCUs. The Base Commander by the way is W/Cdr Rollo Kingsford-Smith.