- Contributed byÌý
- CSV Action Desk Leicester
- People in story:Ìý
- JOHN DEREK BAILEY ( BILL BAILEY)
- Location of story:Ìý
- LORDS CRICKET GROUND TO KIRKHAM
- Background to story:Ìý
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:Ìý
- A4459377
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 15 July 2005
Chapter V. No.l Group Bomber Command.
On the 26th. June we were on the move again, ever nearer to being on an operational Squadron in Bomber Command. This was to 1667 Conversion Unit at Sandtoft where we were to convert to four engine aircraft 'Halifaxes'. These were Halifax II and V which were underpowered and notoriously unreliable and had been withdrawn from front line service. In fact Sandtoft was affectionately known as ‘Trangtoft' because of the large number of flying accidents. One of my pals from Harrogate days, Harry Fryer, got the chop in a Halifax that crashed near Crowle.
So that I do not give any wrong ideas, let me say, the Halifax III with radial engines was a superb aircraft and equipped No.4 Group.
It was here at Sandtoft that we acquired the seventh member of our crew, a Flight Engineer, straight from RAF Stathan and never having been airborne..
We obviously survived 'Prangtoft' and then moved on the 22 July to LFS (Lancaster Finishing School) at Hemswell, which supplied crews to No.l Group, Bomber Command, which was the largest main force group flying Lancasters. We were only two weeks at Hemswell, the sole object being to familiaise with the
Queen of the skies, the ‘ LANCASTER’ A beautiful aeroplane, very reliable, able to fly easily with two dead engines on one side, and to withstand considerable battle damage and still remain airborne.
'This story was submitted to the People's War site by Rod Aldwinckle of the CSV Action Desk on behalf of John Derek Bailey and has been added to the site with his / permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions
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