Many thanks to Mike Young for forwarding this material about his father John who was a Halifax FE. Interestingly Mike also ended his working life as a civilian FE after a varied career as an RAF technician and civilian pilot. His story is included at the bottom of the article.
On August 9th, 1938, John Young enlisted in the Royal Air Force for a six-year term. His initial posting was to RAF Cardington Depot, followed by technical training at RAF St. Athan, where he qualified as a Flight Mechanic (Engine) in 1939.
He was subsequently posted to RAF Ternhill before being deployed overseas to the Far East in August 1939. In August 1941, he arrived in Southern Rhodesia for Air Gunner training at Moffat, Bulawayo. Notably, RAF Form 543 contains a redacted section between these postings, the reason for which remains unclear.
Returning to the UK in April 1942, he was assigned to 7 Air Gunnery School at RAF Stormy Down. This was followed by postings to 21 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Moreton-in-Marsh and then to 22 OTU at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford.
At this point, he transferred to No. 2 School of Technical Training at RAF Cosford, believed to mark the beginning of his Flight Engineer training. The Air Ministry had issued a call for engine ground tradesmen to volunteer for this role, and it is presumed he answered that call.
He was awarded his Flight Engineer’s brevet on October 18th, 1943.
Following this, he was posted to 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Stradishall for training on the Short Stirling bomber. Although he later mentioned serving with 7 Squadron, official records do not confirm this assignment.
Another redacted entry appears before his next confirmed posting to RAF Tiree in the Hebrides in December 1943. There, he joined 518 (Meteorological) Squadron, conducting weather reconnaissance patrols over the North Atlantic. This squadron played a crucial role in gathering meteorological data in preparation for the D-Day landings.
During his time with 518 Squadron, he was involved in a take-off accident caused by a rudder bar failure, which led to the aircraft veering off the runway and collapsing its undercarriage. He was treated for a shoulder injury at No. 2 Aircrew Dispersal Centre in Hoylake.
Upon recovery, he returned to RAF Tiree before receiving his final posting in January 1945 as an instructor at 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF Aldergrove. Another incident occurred there when a shorter pilot was unable to control the rudders during landing.
He was officially demobilised on December 17th, 1945.
Following his discharge, he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) to serve with the Air Training Corps, continuing his commitment to aviation and service. He passed away on 5 Sep 1993.
The artefacts shown in this article were donated, by Mike, to the Isle of Tiree Museum.
Mike’s Story
I began my journey with the Royal Air Force in May 1960 at the age of 15, joining as a Boy Entrant in the 40th Entry at RAF Cosford. I qualified as an Air Wireless Mechanic and was posted to RAF Lyneham in January 1962. I remained a Boy Entrant for ten months until I was old enough to earn my Senior Aircraftman (SAC) props.
During my time at Lyneham, I worked in several key areas:
- Aircraft Radio Servicing Flight
- Crystal Bank
- Aircraft Preparation Squadron
After completing a Fitter’s Course at RAF Yatesbury, I returned to Lyneham to work on teams in Britannia Servicing as an Air Wireless Fitter.
In 1967, I was posted to RAF Wildenrath, initially with the Aircraft Radio Servicing Flight, and later with 17 Squadron, working on the PR.7 Canberra. When the squadron was disbanded, I was transferred to RAF Laarbruch to serve with 3 Squadron on the B(I)8 Canberra.
Subsequent postings included RAF Swanton Morley and an exchange assignment to RAF Marham with 57 Squadron, working on the Victor. I was demobilised in 1973.
From 1974 to 1979, I was commissioned in the RAFVR(T), serving with the Air Training Corps.
In 1980, I travelled to Vero Beach, Florida, to earn my fixed-wing Private Pilot’s License. Finding the training relatively straightforward, I decided to continue building my flying experience. I went on to earn a Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft rating.
In 1985, I moved to the United States permanently. Over the following years, I achieved several aviation milestones:
- ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) – Fixed Wing
- Commercial Rotorcraft
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
- Instrument Instructor – Fixed and Rotary Wing
- Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
I was later invited to train as a Flight Engineer (FE) with a Boeing 727 operator, despite having no prior jet pilot experience. After two years and a furlough, I pursued B747 FE training and was hired by Kalitta Air. I operated both the 100 and 200 series aircraft worldwide for three years.
I officially retired from aviation when I reached the age of 65.
