5 November 1936

Dear Mother:

I am starting this letter today and will finish it in a day or two. First I shall put ink in my pen. This morning I put in 25 minutes dual and half an hour solo flying.

This afternoon he didn't even check me out. He said take WU up for three quarters of an hour and practise steep turns and landings. I was tucked in and F/O Wilson spun my prop and I taxied out.

I pushed my plane up to 5000 feet and then practised steep turns to the right and left. At 5000 feet even England is terrifically cold and soon my hands, face etc. lost most of their feeling. I had left my silk gloves, grease etc. behind - it was so warm on the ground.

It was late in the afternoon and the setting sun was going slowly down, splashing red flames across the sky and touching up the ground mists like daubs of paint. (Pardon my enthusiasm but this game makes me poetic.)

The Superintendent of Reserve Flight Lieutenant Kiepenberger had lunch with us today. He is here to check on our flying ability. - Each of us has to take him up and do our stuff - Each of us has to have 5 hours solo before this test and I am not far from that - I think I should be OK. Three-point landings for three days in succession - I hope it lasts. One of our chaps was suspended today - I feel awfully sorry for him - it must be a terrible shock. K sleep like a log every night - this life seems to suit me. The high altitudes make one very sleepy and drowsy. Tonight is also dining-in night, and I suppose the S.O.R. will dine with us.

Steep turns are a lot of fun. You put on full engine and gently ease plane into turn and allow bank to go on increasing until your wing is nearly vertical - and at the same time pull back stick into your tummy. The plane rips around in a tight turn and centrifugal force jambs you in the bottom of the cockpit and you seem to spin on your ear.

Nov. 6.

Today was good for flying and I put in 50 minutes dual and one hour ten minutes solo. I practised side slips, steep turns, climbing turns, glides, etc. and generally enjoyed myself. Flying Officer Wilson wasn't here today so I did dual under F/O Maxwell. Street, another of our men, was eased out today. The Superintendent of Reserve went up with him and they did three landings, all of which were nay so good so goodbye Street. Aird went yesterday. Four others haven't gone solo yet. Enclosed is a picture of my machine - I am in rear seat but really I stick up a little more. I nearly took squadron Leader Swain's altitude record today but time spoilt my objective. It was very cloudy and I flew through a terrifically bumpy sky and also some rain clouds which I flew into about 2000 feet. - We go right onto Haker Harts at F.T.S. - Boy. Twelve cylinders to pull one through the air - it will be all right.

Nov. 8

Yesterday while flying by myself I got hopelessly lost - I was up at 5000 feet and didn't take into account the amount of wind blowing - I was practising turns - I was told to.

But I was feeling good and decided to practise tail spins - Good! I got into one and then pulled out.

I could see neither aerodrome or Reading with its prominent gasometers. - I nearly ran out of petrol but after circling around for half an hour I tried the Thames but went the wrong way. - I then turned around and followed it back. I arrived at aerodrome 1/2 hour late, with very little petrol and a lesson well and truly learned - from now on I keep my eyes open. It nearly meant a forced landing.

I play wing three quarters for R.A.F. here in English rugger. We played Russel Dingles school at White Waltham yesterday and licked them about 45-0. I pulled off some marvellous tackles and scored a try (touchdown) in my first game. This has put me in good with boys and instructors. I have a battered nose, two very scraped knees and a twisted ankle but so have the other boys, so who cares.

Up to date I have saved $35 for a full dress suit. I still have to get a winter coat and a lounge suit. After Christmas I will be well fixed financially but at present I am in not so hot a condition.

My mess jacket is like a tuxedo - no tails - silk lapels etc. and trousers cut just right - you have no idea what an English tailor can do - you wouldn't believe how well I look in it.

The idea of Russell's about not buying a dinner jacket is a farce - he bout one same time I did and I doubt if he told the Air Ministry he was coming over in a little Bota - he didn't, he came over on a passenger boat Aulania.

I study

1. Bombing

2. Gunnery

3. Engines

4. Rigging

5. Air Navigation

6. Parachute packing

7. Theory of Flying

8. Practical flying

a very full

day but

we have tea

in middle of

morning and

middle of

afternoon

as well as at

4:30 p.m. - no

rush or bustle

Love to all
Bill