Dad was stationed at the 71 O.T.U. Carthago from November 1 to December 28, 1942. O.T.U. stands for Operational Training Unit and it seems that Dad was undertaking a fighter pilot course. He was following a Sequence of Instruction that included: battle formation; shadow firing; air to ground firing; squadron formation; oxygen climbs; aerobatics; and dog fighting. You can catch up on earlier entries from his pilot logbook here and here if you’re interested in 71 O.T.U.
From a summary in his logbook, looks like Dad was going up and down in Harvard I and II; Hurricane I and Hurricane IIB; as well as a Tomahawk. Because I’ve never really seen any of these planes, I had to do some research. Go here to read about the Harvard, Hurricane I and IIB planes. But the Tomahawk? No idea. So more research.
I’m not absolutely certain of this (and I know that experts reading this blog will help me out) but seems the Tomahawk was what the British Commonwealth air forces called the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, which was an American single-engine, single-seat attack aircraft.
Dad seemed to be flying a number of different Hurricane and Harvard aircraft according to the aircraft numbers in his logbook. Guess you needed to be able to scramble into any plane when flying off on a mission. Seems he only flew one Tomahawk with the aircraft number AH955.
The Duty column in his logbook refers to a cine gun (and more research for me). Again, I’m not sure but I think these guns were aerial camera guns and started filming when the guns were fired. That’s why you get WWII footage from fighter planes. I find this quite amazing actually and wonder what the focal distance was between the object and the fighter plane and what lenses were used. I suspect they would have used 16mm film.
Below are photos of Dad’s logbook from December 2 to December 23, 1942. The only thing of note seems to be that on December 14, he had to return to base due to an overheating Hurricane. Click on the images to enlarge. You will see the Summary of his fighter pilot training at 71 O.T.U.
On December 28, he completed his fighter pilot course and was then stationed at 22 P.T.C. Almaza, Egypt from January 2 to January 8, 1943. P.T.C. stands for Personnel Transit Centre and he was on his way to No.1 and No 2. A.D.U., then 136 AAD Benghasi. I’m still figuring out what A.D.U. stands for or what 136 AAD Benghasi was i.e. a squadron? Then, on April 6, 1943 he joined the 127 Squadron in St.Jean, Palestine.
Before we get to his logbook entries for the 127 Squadron, Dad starts to make comments about his flying and missions whilst stationed at No.1 and No.2 A.D.U. For me, it’s fascinating to read how Dad had brake pressure problems or he was covering an on-the-ground convoy whilst flying high over the Nubian Desert. The Duty column is really giving me problems though – can’t understand the abbreviations and numbers Dad used. But we can worry about this in the next blog post!
Tomahawk…
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-40_tomahawk.html
It was an earlier version of the P-40 Warhawk or P-40 Kittyhawk.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/AWM_010926_tomahawk.jpg
Your dad was flying the earlier version. The same version as the Flying Tigers in China.
I saw the Flying Tigers in China mentioned today when I was looking at the Tomahawk. Now I have to research them because I have no idea about the Flying Tigers! So much research Pierre
According to his logbook he flew it only once.
He flew mostly Hurricanes
For one hour.
I know! I saw that in the logbook but then wondered if that could be right – one hour? Guess it was just for the practice.
It was one hour allright.
Just in case he had to fly that plane.
To have a feeling of it.
I found another Typhoon pilot. A French-Canadian.
http://www.thememoryproject.com/stories/Veteran-Profile.aspx?itemid=3172&Lang=en-CA
He was in the thick of it. He flew more missions than he had to. Most missions were highly dangerous when you flew Typhoons for close air-ground support.
I wonder why you are showing small bits of the pages and not the whole page. IMG_4407 only shows the left column and not the purpose of the flights, which I would love to know.
John
oh sorry John, I’ll retake the photos. I’m using an iPhone and so taking about three or four to show the whole page. But you’re right – the above shots aren’t showing everything. I’ll rectify this.
At this stage of his logbook, the right hand page isn’t showing much – because Dad was training – that’s why I took photos of the left hand page, which shows the Sequence of Instruction he was following. So there isn’t any talk of purpose of flight.
The next blog post will show the right hand page as Dad starts to talk about purpose of the flights and he makes interesting comments.
Thx for pointing it out to me
I just can’t wait for the next article…
I think I am addicted to this blog.
If I recall correctly, your father hated waiting in line… Am I correct?
Toodles
Totally hated it Pierre! As a kid, I could never understand why he’d refuse to line for buying theatre tickets or tickets for the Easter show. Now I know why!
What I am waiting for is the information about his missions with the Hawker Typhoon. But I can wait. I know you have more on your mind right now and I know you will learn more from someone you are going to meet soon.
Toodles