11 June 1937

Dear Mother:

Just returned from a trip to North Coates and Sutton Bridge and back by air.

Two of us fighter pilots went up in an Audax to practice a little navigation. I piloted and Hoare in the back seat navigated. He had all the instruments, etc. in his little office at the back, so he worked it all out and told me what courses to steer on. His courses were perfect and we hit dead over each aerodrome on our E.T.A.

At North Coates we could breathe the lovely sea air. I suggested that while we were at it we might go out to sea and look at some sailing boats - okay!

It was rather off hanging there halfway between heaven and sea. The height was very imperceptive. We seemed to be at 50 feet, whereas we were 2,000 feet up.

Coming back to Sutton Bridge we had to cross over the Wash, so I took her to 4,000 feet and gave Hoare instructions to keep eyes open for a railway on the other side. I gave a nice little prayer to the Rolls to keep churning and set out over the sea. It was a lovely day - here and there one could see boats (sailing) and a few motor launches. We hit Sutton Bridge dead in the nose just after crossing the Wash and returned home to Wittering chocking up one hour thirty solo for me and one hour thirty passenger flying for APO Hoare.

Three of our Fury pilots got lost today in the mist down around London. They all landed at odd aerodromes off their courses.

Of course navigation in our Furies is a different thing from a relatively slow two-seater (but not very slow, I can assure you). In a two-seater your passenger has time to look around and really map read and has no care for aeroplane engine, etc., while a Fighter is a one-man job from start to finish.

Love Bill
Rather a one-topic letter, but hope you understand.