19 May 1937

Dear Dad:

My back is nearly broken. Spent hours today rehearsing for AOC's parade. Are we smooth!

Heard from Mrs. Culbertson and Florence Edwards today and expect to meet them shortly.

The C.O. has recommended yours truly for Single-Seater Fighters. The recommendation has gone in and it's a three to one chance I shall be flying Furies in June. The next three months we spend practising squadron duties. Four from my Flight have been recommended for Fighters (in America "Pursuits") - a New Zealander by the name of Thompson, and two Englishmen, Hoare and Ferris. Three of us are six feet tall, and one is about five feet four.

We will use R/T (Radio Telephony) for inter-flight communication. "I say, Bill, was that London that we passed over? Blimey, here's the sea!!"

The Air Ministry have to approve all recommendations and of course there must be vacancies, but I think it's pretty sure. I'll wire you when it is certain. These machines are very fast and tricky to fly, but it should be very interesting to fly them.

You used to say that planes only looked close together in formation, but I can assure you - they are close and no fooling.

Engines are supercharged and have boost gauges etc. to handle. Flying is done at great heights through use of oxygen.

One drawback to Fighters is that you come under Air Defence of Great Britain and have little chance of going abroad unless with Fleet Air Arm. So if I can, I shall go Fleet Air Arm for awhile to see the world. You get a terrific amount of flying in the Fleet Air Arm, but I shall wait and see.

How would you like to dive vertically from 22,000 feet to 5,000 and pull out - your chest is pushed down to where your stomach should be. Fighter tactics ut a great strain on the body, but I'm pretty well put together.

The first trip in a single-seater should be interesting, and it is with no dual instruction.

Say "Sir" when talking to Martyn of the 10th Fighter.

Love Bill
(Just one of those straight and level flyers).
(P.S. That last picture I sent you was taken in front of a Fury).
Ground: Martyn, can you give me your position.
Martyn: Into RIT. Two thousand feet up - "I can't give you anything but love Baby!"
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