Biggles Saved My Life

摘要

In 1945 I WAS 17, "Aircrew Selected" for the "Panther Force" and a Corporal in No 2 Flight of 1495 Squadron, Air Training Corps, at Bristol. I also had passed my Advanced Proficiency. I was given the opportunity to learn to be a glider pilot to A-Licence level. One weekend four cadets, the CO and a flight lieutenant were driven at high speed to No 92 Elementary Gliding School at Yate, the Parnall Aircraft Company aerodrome. In a single-seat Kirby Cadet glider, lovingly built by members of No 4 Flight in the Squadron, we were first towed a few feet above the ground by a balloon winch to learn to keep the glider straight and level. There was no instructor with us. You were on you own from the start. I passed "Low Hops", where the winch towed me up pehaps 50ft and I then landed safely.