2 July 1937

Dear Mother:

From her pictures, Jean has certainly grown up. That picture of Ronny is good, but he seems to be worrying about something. Hoare and I managed to scrounge an Audax the other day, and we took what we hope will be some good pictures of clouds and one of the aerodrome while we were landing. All unofficial, but they should be good.

What we really are keen to do is to take some while we are flying in formation with Fury single-seater fighters, so that you can see A/PO Martyn in his sleek single-seater fighter just off the starboard wing at one thousand feet. I hope we can manage it.

All our fighter group are very keen, and we certainly have esprit de corps. You should be with us above the clouds at eight thousand feet chasing up and down a foot or two over the top, up valleys and through hills, wheeling in echelon or box and back into line abreast - no signals for turns - the leader banks and all bank and turn automatically with him. All our landings and take-offs are done in formation. Great flying accuracy is called for, and we all try our best.

With summer here I suppose you are planning on a few holidays somewhere.

Bunty has just written to tell me that she and Mrs. Culbertson are going over to Paris. Bunty leaves on July 23rd. Mrs. Culbertson will be over here for some time.

When you read of accidents to R.A.F. do not compare it with civil aviation - there is no comparison. Formation flying, air-to-ground diving, air-to-air fighting and the numbers of hours flown and machines engaged all must be noted. The Angel of Luck rides over our station. Last term we had seventeen major accidents and five major crashes this term already, and no deaths or serious injuries. Considering the dozens of machines flying in this restricted area - it's wonderful.

I say mother, how about a picture of yourself - don't hold out on me!

I have paid my last payment on the radio, and it's now mine. Not bad, eh?

Love Bill