Fitness/PT program's for ww2 aircrew/pilots

• May 29, 2014

• #1

s1chris

Staff Sergeant

781

121

Dec 10, 2011

England

Howdy,

What were the fitness/PT programs that aircrew and pilots underwent before assignment to squadrons etc?
Comparatively which country had the most rigorous and is there evidence that there was a clear benefit from this?

Just a random question I've always wondered about.
Wouldn't mind trying to follow a weeks worth of it and see if I can shed a few lb's lol.

Cheers Chris

 

• May 31, 2014

• #2

Airframes

Benevolens Magister

63,022

12,561

Aug 24, 2008

Cheshire, UK

I haven't actually heard, or read about, any fitness programme, apart from the normal PT during Basic training. Maybe it was the ability to drink eleventeen pints in the Mess after an 'Op' ?

 

• May 31, 2014

• #3

swampyankee

Chief Master Sergeant

4,020

3,234

Jun 25, 2013

Airframes said:

I haven't actually heard, or read about, any fitness programme, apart from the normal PT during Basic training. Maybe it was the ability to drink eleventeen pints in the Mess after an 'Op' ?

Click to expand...

That and at least a pack a day of unfiltered cigarettes.

One wonders how much better USAAF and RAF aircrew would have performed, especially at high altitudes, if they were non-smokers.

 

• Jun 1, 2014

• Thread starter
• #4

s1chris

Staff Sergeant

781

121

Dec 10, 2011

England

Terry, any idea what the Basic training PT was?

 

• Jun 1, 2014

• #5

Airframes

Benevolens Magister

63,022

12,561

Aug 24, 2008

Cheshire, UK

Far as I know, just an extension of what would have been done at school, with push ups, running, running on the spot etc etc. Most RAF stations had a gym of sorts, with various equipment, and from what I can gather, it was up to the individual to partake of this, and, of course, when time allowed, games such as football, rugby, cricket etc.
There were, however, regular drills for parachute exits, ditching and dinghy drill, some of the latter on the station, or at a local swimming pool.

 

• Jun 1, 2014

• Thread starter
• #6

s1chris

Staff Sergeant

781

121

Dec 10, 2011

England

Quality, thanks Terry. Seems like the PT was not as "focused" or "enforced" as is now days.