Flying Instructor Training

On 23rd May 1941 my Grandfather bid farewell to P/O Stearn and 22 E.F.T.S and moved on to train as a Flying Instructor at 4 S.F.I.S ((Supplementary) Flying Instructors School) at R.A.F. Cambridge. 

The Log Book shows that on 26th May, he had a flight in a Miles Magister L.8176 under the instruction of P/O Tompkins. This is the first new aircraft type my Grandfather flew in. Miles Magister - Flight tests

Affectionately known as the "Maggie" this open cockpit monoplane had a much better viewing position for the pilot plus the introduction of flaps, brakes and a tail wheel for the trainee pilot to contend with. It also had it's own flying idiosyncrasies, too much pressure on the rudder bar and the aircraft would pitch abruptly earthwards!

Here's a clip of a "Maggie" in flight

For the remainder of May and June 1941 my Grandfather went through a rigorous set of flying tests to assess his abilities.

Finally, on the 25th June 1941, following the "C.O's Test" with S/Ldr A.D. Bennett he qualified as an Elementary Flying Instructor.

At the same time, Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia by the German forces, had commenced. This was the largest military operation in World history, and would be both the salvation of the Western allies and the ultimate downfall of Hitler and the Nazis.