My mother, who obtained her pilot's license was, for a short time, in the ATA, ferrying aircraft between factories and airfields in Britain. One story that she told us involved an aircraft that she described as having a ". . . single engine, slow stall, short landing and take-off ". The planes she flew were mainly Magisters, Harts and Fairchilds and an Avro Tutor. Is there anyone who could link up this description with one of these planes? I know its a bit of a long shot!
Identification of an aircraft from very little information.
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Shortround6
Major General
Lysander?
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Thanks nuuumannn. Now that I have some suggestions I'm going to see if I can track down my mothers ATA logbook, which I think is in the UK with one of my family members.If there is no Lysander there, then your suggestion is the next choice. She was, by the way, flying the plane from the factory at Luton if that makes any difference. I believe it was the Vauxhall factory but during the war it turned out planes not cars?
Crimea_River
Marshal
Hope you can locate the log book to clear this up. According to Wiki, the Vauxhall plant at Luton produced Churchill tanks during the war and not aircraft.
Percival Aircraft had a factory at Luton (actually behind the modern airport's hangar line) producing their aircraft.
In terms of WW2 this would mean the Proctor.
There is more information in this thread.
History of Luton Airport - PPRuNe Forums
From which comes this photograph (a Miles Magister methinks), with attribution.
Cheers
Steve
In terms of WW2 this would mean the Proctor.
There is more information in this thread.
History of Luton Airport - PPRuNe Forums
From which comes this photograph (a Miles Magister methinks), with attribution.
Cheers
Steve
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Thanks Crimea River. Seems we got that part wrong and I'm grateful for the correction. My mother said she collected the aircraft from Luton and she flew from Luton airfield which she said was on a ridge with a drop at the end of the runway.
Steve thank you for adding to this; I really need to locate that log book now that I have several possible aircraft. Great pic.
Steve thank you for adding to this; I really need to locate that log book now that I have several possible aircraft. Great pic.
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M-62A3
Recruit
Mamerle,
May I ask, did your mother record the individual aircraft serial nos. in her logbook?
I am researching various Fairchild types and would be very interested in which Argus she flew and the dates and locations recorded.
M-62A3
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Hi M-62A3
I don't know whether the Fairchilds she flew were Arguses. She was originally flying from Barton whilst training but then the log book doesn't where she flew from. I remember her mentioning Luton and White Waltham but I cant link either of these to flights. In between the flights I've recorded below she flew Magisters. However I do have some wing markings for you if that's any help:
24 - 31 Dec 1942 - EV781 for various training flights.
3 Jan 1943 - EV769 training
13 Jan - EV808 taxi
23 Jan - HM167 taxi to Warboys
27 Jan - FK351 taxi - Lichfield - Wyton
29 Jan - FK337 - power approach and landings, approach and landings
1 Feb - EV760 - navigation check
3 Mar - EV781 - ferry to Thame
I don't know whether the Fairchilds she flew were Arguses. She was originally flying from Barton whilst training but then the log book doesn't where she flew from. I remember her mentioning Luton and White Waltham but I cant link either of these to flights. In between the flights I've recorded below she flew Magisters. However I do have some wing markings for you if that's any help:
24 - 31 Dec 1942 - EV781 for various training flights.
3 Jan 1943 - EV769 training
13 Jan - EV808 taxi
23 Jan - HM167 taxi to Warboys
27 Jan - FK351 taxi - Lichfield - Wyton
29 Jan - FK337 - power approach and landings, approach and landings
1 Feb - EV760 - navigation check
3 Mar - EV781 - ferry to Thame
M-62A3
Recruit
Mamerle,
Thank you for the serial nos and details, most useful.
Yes the aircraft listed are all Fairchild Argus. The type was supplied from the U.S.A. and purchased with Lend-Lease funds. Those delivered to the U.K. were extensively used as taxi aircraft by the A.T.A. Thus, A.T.A. logbooks are a rich source of Argus records.
After delivering an aircraft from the factory or a repair unit to it's allotted squadron, etc, the A.T.A. crew would be required to return to their Ferry Pool as soon as possible for the next assignment. The purpose of the Argus four seat taxi aircraft was to make that return journey as quickly as possible, the railways being over-pressed with the movement of many servicemen. Ansons and Dominie were also used for this taxi role. There is clear evidence from your mother's records that the Argus were also used for training.
White Waltham was the H.Q. of the Air Transport Auxiliary and also the location of No. 1 Ferry Pilots Pool.
Luton may relate to No.5 Ferry Pilots Pool, which originated as the A.T.A. (Womens Section) at Hatfield and moved to Luton in April 1942.
My source book ("RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912" - Sturtivant and Hamlin) does not specifically list any unit at Barton but No.14 Ferry Pilots Pool at Ringway would not be far away.
Hope this helps, M-62A3
Thank you for the serial nos and details, most useful.
Yes the aircraft listed are all Fairchild Argus. The type was supplied from the U.S.A. and purchased with Lend-Lease funds. Those delivered to the U.K. were extensively used as taxi aircraft by the A.T.A. Thus, A.T.A. logbooks are a rich source of Argus records.
After delivering an aircraft from the factory or a repair unit to it's allotted squadron, etc, the A.T.A. crew would be required to return to their Ferry Pool as soon as possible for the next assignment. The purpose of the Argus four seat taxi aircraft was to make that return journey as quickly as possible, the railways being over-pressed with the movement of many servicemen. Ansons and Dominie were also used for this taxi role. There is clear evidence from your mother's records that the Argus were also used for training.
White Waltham was the H.Q. of the Air Transport Auxiliary and also the location of No. 1 Ferry Pilots Pool.
Luton may relate to No.5 Ferry Pilots Pool, which originated as the A.T.A. (Womens Section) at Hatfield and moved to Luton in April 1942.
My source book ("RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912" - Sturtivant and Hamlin) does not specifically list any unit at Barton but No.14 Ferry Pilots Pool at Ringway would not be far away.
Hope this helps, M-62A3
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