User:Chloeclogs

User:Chloeclogs was at RAF St Mawgan in 1954, 1955 and into early 1956 - the major role of the station was ocean navigation - training aircrew for Coastal Command, at this time the aircraft being used were the last Avro Lancaster's left in R.A.F. service. Once you climbed into these a/c if you turned left you went down to the position known during the WW2 as tail-end charlie - turn right and immediately on your left was the Navigators and wireless operators position and before going further you had to climb over the main wing spar which was about 60 cms.high and 50 cms. wide - you were then in the cockpit where the Engineer and pilot sat - in front of this compartment was a hole for the bomb aimer to squeeze through into a compartment in which he had to lie prone and face down through a porthole to the ground. These aircraft were very uncomfortable to sit in - let alone fly; there was no lining to the outer layer of the skin of the a/c, and when the four merlin engines were at full blast you sat there deafened and shaken to pieces. I managed a "joy" ride in one of these things after servicing it and signing the 'form 700' to say it was airworthy - and it was an experience I would not do again (I'm a good bit older now!) but to fly to war in one of those a/c night after night - trying to find your way there AND back [in lord knows what state} being shot at by all and sundry, didn't take just guts - but absolute heroism. I will always take my hat off in their respect.