INTRODUCTION
On 18th January 1944, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Air Commander in Chief, Allied Expeditionary Force issued the following, “I want this course to take precedence over current operational commitments and all officers attending to enter into the spirit and urgent purpose for which it has been formed. Nothing could be more important to the success of “Operation Overlord” than to train to meet the enemy at the outset at the top of our form. There is no doubt that his first impressions at the initial clash will have the most far reaching effect on the final issue”.
The Fighter Leader School was formed at Milfield on 31st January 1944. Its purpose was to make available facilities for practice and development of wing tactics, combined with various types of fighter armament, against typical targets, which flying units would meet in the forthcoming invasion of Europe.
The United States Army Air Force sent officers to Italy to observe fighters working with ground forces and brought them back to Milfield to assist in training. Both R.A.F. and USAAF pilots were brought from the Italian theatre to serve as instructors. When the USAAF trainees arrived in March 1944 they were put under the command of Colonel Arthur Salisbury, former C.O of the legendary 57th Fighter Group.
UNIT STRUCTURE
A mobile flying control was introduced and the Wing HQ set up with directing staff as follows.
Commanding Officer Group: Captain J.R. Addams, A.F.C.
Chief Instructors: Colonel A.J. Salisbury D.F.C., U.S.A.A.F. and Wing Commander Barry, D.F.C.
Army Liaison Officer: Major H.V. Fraser, R.A.C.
Intelligence Officer : Flight Lieutenant McLean
Tactics Wing: Wing Commander E. H. Thomas, D.S.O., D.F.C.
Armament Wing: Wing Commander R.E.P. Brooker, D.F.C. and bar
• No. 1 Squadron - Spitfires
Squadron Leader Hall, D.F.C.
Flight Lieutenant Brown
• No. 2 Squadron - Spitfires
Squadron Leader N.G.L. Donnet, D.F.C.
Flight Lieutenant Patterson.
• No. 3 Squadron - Spitfires
Squadron Leader Laurie, D.F.C.
Flight Lieutenant Sims.
• No. 4 Squadron - ‘A’ Flight Hurricanes - ‘B’ Flight Spitfires
Squadron Leader Pitt-Brown, D.F.C.
Flight Lieutenant Jubb
• No. 5 Squadron - ‘A’ Flight Typhoons - ‘B’ Flight Spitfires
Squadron Leader J.R. Pennington-Legh, D.F.C.
Flight Lieutenant Gifkins
THE RANGE
The following targets were used at Goswick range
• A 200 foot beach target for rocket projectile firing.
• Six Churchill tanks for rocket projectile firing.
• A live bombing target for live bombs.
• A practice bombing target for practice bombs.
• Six foot by ten foot squares for air to ground firing with 20mm cannon and .303 machine guns.
• A ten foot square moving target for 20 mm and.303 guns.
• Gun emplacements and typical motor transport vehicles disposed in convoy for live bombing, live rocket projectiles and strafing with 20mm and.303 guns.
• 150 foot diameter white circle for camera gun firing.
Individual sections of 2 and 4 aircraft attacks were carried out in the Armament Wing. The actual practice was governed by wing tactics developed in the Tactics Wing.
The Edinburgh to London main line was blown up on several occasions as a result of mistakes made on these exercises!
At the range the concrete observation post built into the sand dunes overlooking the beach had a plate glass front on which were drawn a set of inclined lines so that the observer could inform the pilots of the angle of attack they were using. This was a very important aspect for rocket attacks.
FIGHTER LEADER SCHOOL
No 1 Course 3rd February 1944 to 18th February 1944
‘A’ Party 10 Spitfire Pilots
Group Captain J. Rankin, D.S.O., D.F.C., (a distinguished fighter pilot with over 20 victories to
his credit and who took command of 125 Wing on 14th July 1944).
Wing Commander R.J.C. Grant, D.F.C. & Bar, D.F.M., (a veteran of the siege of Malta, Commanded 122 Airfield 15 Fighter Wing, 19, 65, and 122 Squadrons with Spitfire 1X’s), killed on 25th February 1944 while flying Mustang 111 from Gravesend after engine failure on takeoff.
Wing Commander H.C. Godfrey, D.S.O, D.F.C. & Bar, from 127 Airfield, Kenley, commanding 403 & 421 Squadrons with Spitfire 1X’s, 17 Fighter wing.
Squadron Leader D. H. Smith
Squadron Leader R. A. Sutherland, C.O. 602 Squadron
Squadron Leader R. A. Buckham, D.F.C., C. O. 403 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant Tomblin.
Flight Lieutenant S.A. Mills, 411 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant Sheppard.
B’ Party 11 Spitfire Pilots
Wing Commander S.F. Skalski, D.F.C. & 2 Bars (Commanding 131 Airfield, Northolt, 18 Fighter Wing, 84 Group 302 & 317 Squadrons with Spitfire 1X’s).
Group Captain T.H. Rolski.
Wing Commander ‘Billie’ Drake.
Squadron Leader S.H. Lapka (Commanded 306 Squadron, killed in action D-Day+1).
Squadron Leader W. Miksa (Commanded 317 Squadron).
Squadron Leader B.D. Russel, D.F.C. & Bar (Commanded 442 Squadron).
Squadron Leader K.T. Lofts, D.F.C. (C.O. 66 Squadron, earlier C.O. 340 Squadron November
1942 to January 1942 & C.O. 134 Squadron February 1942 to April 1942).
Flight Lieutenant J. Marciniaf (who was to command 306 Squadron in June 1944, killed in
action 23rd June 1944 while flying Mustang 111 of this squadron).
Flight Lieutenant Kaminski.
Flight Lieutenant Allen.
Flight Lieutenant Alexander.
‘C’ Party 10 Spitfire Pilots
Lieutenant Colonel K. Bierkstead, Royal Norwegian Air Force (former C.O. 331 Squadron)
Wing Commander R.M. Thomas.
Wing Commander Ingham.
Major Christie, Royal Norwegian Air Force (C.O. 332 Squadron).
Squadron Leader F. Vancel, D.F.C., (C.O. 312 Squadron).
Squadron Leader T. Balmforth, D.F. C., (C.O. 124 Squadron).
Major K.C. Kuhlmann, D.F.C., Royal Dutch Air Force, (C.O.322 Squadron).
Flight Lieutenant Joshmal.
Captain B. Joernstab.
Squadron Leader G.W. Northcott, D.F.C., (C.O. 402 Squadron).
‘D’ Party 12 Typhoon Pilots
Wing Commander E. Haabjoern D.F.C. Royal Norwegian Air Force (47 Squadron, who was to
lead 124 Wing 83 Group comprising 181, 182 & 247 Typhoon Squadrons in the forthcoming
invasion) took over from Wing Commander D.R. Walker, D.F.C., (a veteran of Greece and
North Africa who had recently commanded 124 Wing at Merston, comprising 181,182 & 247 Typhoon Squadrons).
Squadron Leader J.G. Kemp (C.O. 181 Squadron).
Squadron Leader G.L. Sinclair, D.F.C.& Bar, (C.O. 56 Squadron).
Squadron Leader J.R. Baldwin, D.S.O., D.F.C. & Bar, (198 Squadron, later commanded 146 Wing, the most successful of all Typhoon pilots in air combat).
Flight Lieutenant Brayshaw.
Flight Lieutenant McQuire
Flight Lieutenant I.J. Davies, D.F.C., 609 Squadron (later to command 198 Squadron).
Flight Lieutenant Grantham.
Flight Lieutenant J.W. Wilson, D.F.C., (later to command 184 Squadron).
Flight Lieutenant Holland.
Wing Commander Bets.
THE COURSES
The first course began on the 3rd February 1944 and comprised 42 pilots, 30 Spitfire pilots and 12 Typhoon pilots. They were allocated to four parties as follows:-
‘A’ Party – 10 Spitfire Pilots
‘B’ Party – 10 Spitfire Pilots
‘C’ Party – 10 Spitfire Pilots
‘D’ Party – 12 Typhoon Pilots
Twelve of the pilots were Wing Leaders, sixteen were Squadron Commanders and fourteen were Flight Commanders.
The Tactics Wing was located on the North-East and South-West sides of the airfield and the Armament Wing on the West side. The former consisted of 1, 2 and 3 Squadrons and the latter 4 and 5 Squadrons.
The flying programme was divided into day units, each unit having to be completed before moving onto the next, even if the schedule was held up for bad weather.
On the first two days as well as lectures and visits to the range, the officers made familiarisation flights in Spitfire and Hurricane 1V aircraft on sector reconnaissance.
The flying exercises of the Tactics Wing were carried out after day to day discussions between staff and pilots. The instructors came for approximately three months from operational squadrons and as all the pilots attending the course were also from the squadrons all were acquainted with the operational requirement.
As far as possible a basic plan was adhered to.
Week 1: Practice fighter-bomber attacks and fighter cover.
Week 2: Wing development and strafing attacks on typical targets.
Week 3: Development of the second week exercises.
A typical battle situation which involved establishing a bridgehead and a plan to operate from ‘D’ day plus 4 was developed in continuous conjunction with the flying exercises.
The exercises with the Armaments Wing were as follows:-
Half the party went to the Bombing Squadron (No. 5 Squadron) and half to the Rocket Projectile Squadron (No. 4 Squadron).
In No. 4 Squadron, Typhoons and Hurricanes did the rocket-projectile work while in No.5 Squadron Spitfires and Typhoons bombed.
No. 4 Squadron practiced low-level and steep dive rocket projectile attacks, the following R.P. bombs being available:-
• practice concrete heads.
• 25lb armour piercing heads
• 60lb inert
• 60lb instantaneous
• 60lb millisecond delay
No. 5 Squadron carried out steep and shallow bombing attacks, the Typhoons being able to carry eight practice bombs or 2 x 500lb bombs. Ground strafing with 20mm cannon and.303 guns was carried out in both squadrons with the R.P. and bombing exercises.
On 4th February, despite snow and frost, the flying exercises were carried out as planned and a total of 52 hours achieved. In the evening a meeting was held on methods of briefing a wing in the field.
No. 106 Anti-Aircraft Brigade commanded by Brigadier Jones arrived to demonstrate the defence of an airfield by A.A. barrage. Every type of barrage the pilots could expect on ‘D’ day was fired. To allay any fears they might have, the local population was informed when these barrages were to be fired.
Daylight exercises and evening discussions on the development of fighter-bomber tactics continued until 18th February when No. 1 course ended, having flown a total of 526 hours.
On the final morning Air Marshal Sir Arthur Conningham, Commander of the Second Tactical Air Force, accompanied by Group Captain Atcherley arrived for a general inspection of the airfield. The Air Marshal, who had commanded the Desert Air Force in 1942 gave a talk on the forthcoming operations and then answered questions.
NO. 2 COURSE
The Curriculum for this course basically followed that for No. 1 course with the addition of ‘E’ Party. This comprised 16 pilots from Thunderbolt Squadrons of the U.S.A.A.F. flying with the Tactics Wing. The R.A.F. element comprised 2 Group Captains, 5 Wing Commanders, 21 Squadron Leaders and 8 Flight Lieutenants. The two Group Captains were A.G. Malan and C.E. Beamish.
For this course an additional target in the form of a section of railway was laid out at Goswick Range for R.P. Attacks.
Although the second course opened on 23rd February flying was impossible because of the weather. It improved the following day when the flying exercises began.
The course was visited on 28th February by General A.C. Strickland, Chief of Combat Operations A.E.A.F., accompanied by Group Captain Atcherley.
On arrival the American aircraft, Mustangs, Thunderbolts and Lightnings were fitted with bomb gear by the unit, so that they could participate in the same exercises as the Spitfires, Hurricanes and Typhoons. On the question of fitting bomb racks to the American aircraft there was a great deal of discussion between the Wing Commander Technical Wing and the Station Electrical and Instrument Officer, Flight Lieutenant A. Morgan, about the positioning of the firing button on the American AIRCRAFT As a result it was fitted to the control column, in contrast to the Spitfire where the unit fitted the button on a tube on to the throttle lever.
On the Spitfire installation trouble was experienced because the pilots had difficulty in pressing the button down when wearing gloves. There were several cases of the bombs being “bought” when the pilots had been unable to operate the firing button.
On the 6th March Squadron Leader Harker, a Rolls Royce test pilot, arrived and demonstrated the Mk 1X Spitfire to the course.
The American pilots suggested that a close link be forged between the F.L.S. and the School of Air Tactics at Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. It was proposed that there be a system evolved for the free exchange of information and personnel between the two units.
On 9th March Squadron Leader Prince Bernhardt of the Netherlands, Air Vice Marshal Stevenson, A.O.C. 9 Group and Group Captain Atcherley, A.E.A.F., arrived for an official visit and inspection. Unfortunately during a demonstration of dive bombing in the afternoon a Spitfire, P8549, flown by Capitaine Bouquen blew up in mid-air over Goswick Range killing him instantly. It was ascertained that his bomb had exploded.
No. 2 Course was completed on 10th March and despite variable weather conditions 837 hours had been flown.
A conference was held on 11th March to discuss a report on No. 2 Course and the syllabus was drawn up for No. 3 Course.
Mention must be made of valuable work carried out by the Army Liaison Officer Major H.V. Fraser (now Colonel H.V. Fraser, C.M.G., O.B.E., T.D.). His job was to advise the R.A.F. how to ‘bust’ tanks and to advise his own arm of the service, the Royal Armoured Corps, how not to be ‘bust’. Major Fraser had been a senior member of No.1 S.L.A.I..S. Staff.
The background generally was the use of fighter-bombers in close support of land forces. To this end, the broad picture was an integrated Army / Air HQ with emphasis on the vital Air Support Signals Unit (A.S.S.U.) communications. In more detail the use of Visual Control Post (V.C.P.) and the “Cab-Rank” procedure was practised. The target was the resident troop of Valentine tanks.
NO. 3 COURSE
On 14th March, two days before course No. 3 began, a conference was held under the chairmanship of Group Captain R.L.R. Atcherley to discuss and, if necessary, amend the programme laid down for courses Nos. 1 and 2. It was decided that a group leader be appointed from each squadron (5 squadrons, each of 12 officers). Each leader would be given written instructions on the course. He would be responsible for his group’s discipline and each evening he would help to plan the next day’s work. It was also decided that a Staff Officer would be detailed to Goswick Range to record attacks. He would discuss the results with the pilots concerned and give constructive criticism. Greater use of the blackboard with diagrams was deemed necessary for the lectures. Practical airwork was to be increased with emphasis on ‘clobbering’ the target.
Course No. 3 opened on 16th March, this time U.S.A.A.F. pilots in the latest type of Mustang were included. Flying was able to commence on the first day and the course was completed on 31st March after a total of 680 hours had been flown.
General Strickland at the U.S.A.A.F. visited the Unit on completion of the course and after watching bombing on the range gave a lecture in the evening on future operations.
NO. 4 COURSE
This course should have commenced on 6th April but was postponed until the following day as bad weather had prevented a number of pilots from reaching Milfield.
The first replacement Typhoons for unserviceable aircraft arrived on the 6th April.
At about this time a high wing Stinson aircraft was brought to the Unit by Group Captain Atcherley to have its radio and electrical supply serviced. This aircraft was for the personal use of Air Marshal Conningham to supervise the R.A.F. activities during the crossing of the Channel on ‘D’ day. This aircraft was known by a variety of names such as the ‘Pisser’ and ‘Flying Greenhouse’. It had beautiful flying characteristics and could take off from the roadway outside the Electrical Section.
The composition of No. 4 Course was as follows:-
No. 1 Squadron - 14 P47 Thunderbolt pilots of the U.S.A.A.F. 8th and 9th A.F.
No. 2 Squadron - 14 P47 Thunderbolt pilots of the U.S.A.A.F. 8th and 9th A.F.
No. 3 Squadron - 12 Spitfire pilots.
No. 4 Squadron – 7 Typhoon pilots.
No. 5 Squadron – 6 P38 Lightning pilots U.S.A.A.F.
No. 6 Squadron – 7 P51 Mustang pilots U.S.A.A.F.
The course began with an address by Group Captain Addams but no flying took place because of the weather.
The course was marred by an unfortunate accident on 12th April. Thunderbolt 42-25530 (P47D-21-RE) of No.2 Squadron, flown by 1st Lieutenant A.L. Serapiglia, U.S.A.A.F., collided head on with a Spitfire of 57 O.T.U. Eshott and both pilots were killed. The accident occurred over Eshott as the Spitfire was preparing to land and a mixed formation of Thunderbolts and Mustangs flew through the circuit on their way back to Milfield after carrying out mock attacks on an army convoy moving out of Morpeth.
The course continued with flying exercises and lectures until 22nd April after 891 hours had been flown.
On 23rd April, Wing Commander B. Drake, D.S.O., D.F.C., replaced Wing Commander R.E.P. Brooker, D.F.C. and bar, as Officer Commanding Armament Wing.
NO. 5 COURSE
This course began assembling on 25th and 26th April and consisted of:-
No. 1 Squadron - 15 x P47 Thunderbolt Pilots U.S.A.A.F.
No. 2 Squadron - 15 x P47 Thunderbolt Pilots U.S.A.A.F.
No. 3 Squadron - 16 x Spitfire Pilots.
No. 4 Squadron - 6 x Typhoon Pilots.
No. 5 Squadron - 8 x P38 Pilots U.S.A.A.F.
No. 6 Squadron - 8 x P51 Pilots U.S.A.A.F.
The course opened on 27th April and routine exercises and lectures took place. On 5th May No. 3 Squadron proceeded to R.A.F. Hutton Cranswick for “Exercise Driver”. During this exercise an accident occurred to Spitfire OQ-B flown by Flight Lieutenant Wilkinson. The aircraft dived into the sea four miles off shore near Atwick, Yorkshire and disappeared.
On 11th May Philip Lucas, Hawker Test Pilot, arrived at the airfield and gave a talk on “Typhoon and Tempest” development. He then gave a flying demonstration in the Tempest.
Course 5 terminated after flying 1183 hours on 13th May.
NO. 6 COURSE
This course commenced training on 23rd May and consisted of:-
No. 1 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 2 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 3 Squadron – Typhoons
No. 4 Squadron – 16 P38 Lightnings
On the 5th June the Station Commander Group Captain J.R. Addams was posted out and replaced by Group Captain E.W. Whitley, D.S.O., D.F.C.
No 6. Course completed training on 12th June after flying 1,003 hours.
NO. 7 COURSE
With the invasion of Europe having now taken place on the 6th June the size of the courses began to be reduced. Consequently No. 7 Course only comprised three squadrons.
No. 1 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 2 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 3 Squadron – Typhoons
The course flying exercises and lectures continued in a routine manner, terminating on 11th July 1944 after 667 hours had been flown.
Unfortunately a fatal flying accident occurred on 24th June 1944 when Lieutenant Commander D.R.B. Cosh, D.S.C.,, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, piloting Spitfire EN794 ‘J’ of No. 2 Squadron was killed at Goswick Range. He was buried locally at St. Gregory’s Churchyard, Kirknewton with full military honours.
NO 8 COURSE
This course commenced training on 18th July and was completed on 8th August having flown 748 hours. Once again there were only three squadrons on the course.
No. 1 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 2 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 4 Squadron – Typhoons
On the final day, Mr Jeffery Quill gave a talk on Spitfire development.
NO. 9 COURSE
This course assembled on 14th August and was completed on 2nd September having flown 885 hours.
The squadrons for this course were:
No. 1 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 2 Squadron – Spitfires
No. 4 Squadron – Typhoons and Hurricanes
NO. 10 COURSE
No. 10 Course began lectures and exercises on 12th September. Due to a very bad spell of weather flying was severely restricted and the course continued until 7th October flying 836 hours.
The squadrons for this course were the same as for No. 9 course.
On the penultimate day of the course two Mosquito pilots flew in and gave a talk on intruder operations.
NO. 11 COURSE
This course was the last to be held at Milfield. It did not assemble until 30th October, three weeks after No. 10 Course was terminated. Persistent rain and mist cancelled all flying. The three squadrons were the same as for courses Nos. 9 and 10.
On the 9th November Squadron Leader Wade arrived from Wittering and gave a lecture on Fighter Aircraft Development. He followed this with a demonstration of Spitfire 1X flying.
The following day an unfortunate accident led to the death of a Typhoon pilot, Flying Officer A.B.E. Rutherford, D.F.C., while carrying out an R.P. attack at Goswick Range. He was buried locally at St. Gregory’s Churchyard, Kirknewton with full military honours.
No. 11 Course was terminated on 28th November after having flown 601 hours.
Flying hours for the eleven courses totalled 8,860.
THE END
On 23rd December 1944, the Unit received instructions to move to R.A.F. Wittering, Northants. Christmas festivities took place on 24th and 25th December. The Station Commander, Group Captain Whitley, dressed as Santa Claus, arrived by Auster and addressed local children assembled at Flying Control through loud speakers.
On 23rd December the Advance Party under F/O Taylor Williams left for Wittering. The remaining personnel completed packing their kits and made an early start at 0500 hours on 27th December. Leaving from Akeld Station by troop train they arrived at Stamford Station at 1800 hours.
Group Captain Whitley arrived during the evening, having motored down.
So ended the existence of the Fighter Leader School as a separate unit. It was now being merged with the Central Fighter Establishment as part of the Day Fighter Wing.
FIGHTER LEADER SCHOOL
Hurricane Mk 1 V7099 MF-14
Hurricane Mk 2 Z2457
Hurricane Mk 4
KX180 RL-K, KX878 RL-U, KZ245 RL-F, KZ322 RL-S, KZ383 RL-N, KX188, KX199, KX700, KZ711, KX545, KX701, KX878.
Typhoon Mk 1a R7591.
Typhoon Mk1b.
R8878, R8967 MF-2, DN250, DN442, EJ986, EJ988 RL-12, EJ991 MF-K, EJ995 MF-14, EK140 MF-X, EK168 MF-L, EK182 MF-W, EK208, EK500, JP679, JR257 RL-5, JR259 MF-15, JR331, JR378, JR248, JR509 RL-8, JR519 RL-1, MM977, MN114 RL-10, MN122, MN142, MN143, MN151, MN666.
Spitfire Mk 1
P7538, P7382, P7432, P7566, P7599, P7745, P7916, P8179, P8258, P8243, P8424, P8549, P8571, X4776.
Spitfire Mk 5a L1028, R7306.
Spitfire Mk 5b
P8549, P8747 OQ-M, R6960, R7158, R7289 HK-S, R7306, W3209, W3253, W3507, W3519, W3521, W3283, W3828, W3855, W3960, AA735, AA911, AA965, AA977, AB142 HK-U, AB193, AB241 OQ-S, AB451, AB794, AB814, AB848, AD182, AD263, AD348, AD381, AD423, AD429, AD508,, AR342, AR376, AR386, AR399 HK-Q, BL367, BL 379, BL426, BL473, BL50, BL551, BL644, BL665, BL714, BL763, BL767, BL863, BL892, BL957, BL975, BM120, BM134, BM136, BM198, BM246, BM258, BM262, BM272, BM298, BM322, BM324, BM347, BM351, BM356, BM382, BM412, BM455, BM 465, BM487, BM569, BM644, EN363, EN783, EN794, EN796, EP119, EP143, EP174, EP227, EP328, EP253, EP276, EP347, EP385, EP409, EP604, EP636, EP694, EP759, EP770 EW Station Commander’s personal aircraft, EP785.
Spitfire Mk 5c
AA977, AB214, AB452, AR514, AR517, AR518, EE627, EE642, EE666, EE714, EE716, EF541 0Q-R.
Spitfire Mk 9
BS116, BS227, BS329, BS315, BS345, BS347, BS353, BS349, BS 445, BS 449, BS474, BS506, BS513, BS533, EN126, EN 177 HK-A, EN557, EN363, JL107, LZ919, LZ921, LZ924, MA224, MA229, MA298, MA299, MA534, MQ524, MA303, MA563, MA578, MA585, MA645, MA646, MA651, MA657, MA742, MA756, MA846, MA879, MH379, MH380, MH603, MH824, MH844, MH849, MH869, MH906, MH939, MJ314, MJ639, MJ814, MK114, MK169, MK176, MK184, MK 312, MK748, MK806, MK807, MK848, MK868, ML378, ML427, PL277.
Spitfire Mk 12
In use September/October 1944 - EN225, EN227, EN228, EN229, EN328, EN 609, EN 615, EN619, EN625, MB836, MB840, MB850, MB853, MB878, MB882.
Miles Magister - T9675, T9963.
De Havilland Dominie; R2487, NF885.
Miles Master Mk 2 DL695.
Miles MASTER Mk 3 W8942.
Airspeed Oxford Mk 1 V3846, HN596.
Airspeed Oxford Mk 2 W6615, AB710.
Miles Martinet T.T. Mk 1 HP147, HP487.
In addition many pilots attending the course arrived in their personal mounts and the following were observed.
Typhoon Mk 1b
EH249 FJ-T, MN952 FJ-V, RB484 FJ-A.
All were from 164 Squadron R.A.F. and were rocket armed.
Details of aircraft participating in the Fighter Leader School Courses from USAAF/R.A.F.. No 2 Course:
P47C 16343 coded LM-V from 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group U.S.A.A.F. stationed at Halesworth, Suffolk.
Spitfire MK 1X coded WX-O 302 Polish Squadron R.A.F.
NO. 3 COURSE
P51B coded GQ-N 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group U.S.A.A.F. stationed at Boxted, Essex.
P47 242809 coded LH-Y 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group U.S.A.A.F. 8th Air Force from Metfield, Suffolk. This group pioneered dive bombing and ground attack techniques subsequently adopted by other P47 units of the 8th and 9th A.F’s.
P47 28390 SX-I 352nd Fighter Squadron of 353rd Fighter Group from Metfield, Suffolk.
NO. 5 COURSE
Camouflaged Aircraft
P47’s coded CP-A and CP-P, 367th F.S., 358th F.G. 9th A.F. from High Halden, Kent.
P47’s coded 2Z-L and 2Z-B, 510th F.S., 405th F.G. 9th A.F. stationed at Christchurch, Hants.
P48’s coded WD-L and WD-P, 355th F.S., 4th F.G. 8th A.F., stationed at Debden, Essex.
P47 coded CR-G, 370th F.S., 359th F.G. from East Wretham, Norfolk.
P47 coded G9-M, 509th F.S., 405th F.G. from Christchurch, Hants.
P47 coded T5-E, 10th F.S., 50th F.G. 9th A.F. from Lymington, Hants.
P47 coded PI-K, 8th A.F. 360th F.S., 356th F.G. from Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. Aircraft carried a triangle on the cowl.
P47 coded OS-D, 357th F.S., 355th F.G., 8th A.F., from Steeple Morden, Cambs. Aircraft painted blue/grey mottle overall.
P47 coded HV-P, 61st F.S., 56th F.G. from Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk. Aircraft had a red cowl and rudder.
P47 coded QI-Y, 361st F.S., 356th F.G. 8th A.F., from Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. Aircraft carried a baby insignia on cowling.
P47 coded LH-S, 350th F.S., 353rd F.G., 8th A.F., from Metfield, Suffolk. Aircraft had yellow/black checks painted on cowling.
P47 coded K4-K 511th F.S., 405th F.G. 9th A.F., from Christchurch, Hants.
Silver Finish Aircraft
P47 coded 2N-P 81st F.S., 50th F.G., 9th A.F. Lymington, Hants.
P47’s coded W3-T and W3-U 313 F.S., 50th F.G., 9th A.F., from Lymington, Hants.
P47 coded 7J-P 508th F.S., 404th F.G., 9th A.F., from Winkton, Dorset.
P47 coded Y8-O 507th F.S., 404th F.G., 9th A.F., from Winkton, Dorset.
Camouflaged aircraft
P51B 3675 coded CV-Y. Aircraft had green spinner.
P51B coded G4-K, 362nd F.S., 357th F.G., 8th A.F. from Leiston, Suffolk. Aircraft had bubble hood.
Silver Finish Aircraft
P51B coded C5-L 364th F.S., 357th F.G., 7th A.F. Aircraft had red/yellow cowl checks and carried the name “Shoo Shoo Baby”, was from Leiston, Suffolk.
P51B 2106872 coded PE-T, 328th F.S., 352nd F.G., 8th A.F., from Bodney, Norfolk. Aircraft had blue cowl and spinner.
Camouflaged aircraft
P38J coded N2-W, 383rd F.S., 364th F.G., 8yh A.F. from Honington, Suffolk. Aircraft had red spinners.
P38J coded CL-V 338th F.S., 55th F.G. from Nuthampstead, Herts.
Silver Finish Aircraft
P38J coded LC-G, 77th F.S., 20th F.G. Kings Cliffe, Northants. Aircraft had yellow spinners and carried the name “Kokohama”.
P38J 218131 coded J-KI 55th F.S., 20th F.G., 8th A.F. Kings Cliffe, Northants.
P38J coded P-MC with Indian’s Head Insignia on the nose 79th F.S., 20th F.G. Kings Cliffe, Northants.
R.A.F. Aircraft
Typhoon coded PR-E 609 Squadron
Typhoon coded SF-F 137 Squadron.
NO. 6 COURSE
Mosquito coded OM-H 107 Squadron R.A.F. visiting F.L.S. grey with DE codes.
P38J coded 7Y-S. Aircraft camouflaged and codes in white. 429th F.S., 474th F.G. 9th A.F. from Moreton, Dorset.
P38J 210480 coded H5-8 silver aircraft, 392nd F.S., 367 F.G., from Stoney Cross, Hants.
P38J 2104211 coded 8L-P and 2104187 coded 8L-U silver aircraft from 393rd F.S., 367th F.G. from Stoney Cross, Hants.
P38J 104299 coded A-4N, 394th F.S., 367th F.G., from Stoney Cross, Hants.
P38J coded K6-U and K6-V, 430th F.S., 474th F.G., 9th A.F. from Moreton, Dorset.
P38J coded F5-X and F5-Y, 428th F.S., 474th F.G., 9th A.F. Moreton, Dorset.
Other U.S.A.A.F. aircraft seen during the currency of FLS were:
P38J 267757 coded CG-C of the 38th F.S., 55th F.G. 8th A.F. from Wormingwold, Essex.
P38J 18223 with ‘40’ in yellow on the nose.
B17 Flying Fortress 23412 coded ‘M’ 303rd Bombardment Group from Molesworth, Hunts, white triangle with black ‘C’ inside painted on tail.
B24 Liberator ‘14’ in yellow on nose.
P47C 42-25530 366th F.S., 358th F.G. 9th A.F. from A.L.G. High Halden, Kent.
