raf planes ww2

[238], The process was considered extremely harsh and was deeply resented by the aircrews themselves, who rarely spoke of "LMF" situations; even decades after the war, few memoirs give more than an occasional mention of the issue. During 1942 particularly, any maximum effort attacks such as the 1,000 bomber attacks on Cologne on the night 30–31 May 1942 and Essen on 1–2 June 1942 required more aircraft and crews than Bomber Command had available in its operational squadrons so crews at OTUs who were near the end of their courses and were rated as efficient, participated in the operation. [146][147] From that point onwards bombers crews were aware that highly efficient Luftwaffe night fighters crews would be stalking them, some operating based on their own on-board radar, others working on directions from chains of radar stations. [224], Some RAF Bomber Command airmen received awards for their gallantry in specific actions or for their sustained courage facing the terrible odds against their surviving a full tour of operations. [133][134] If it was to be a distant target the aircraft fuel tanks might be topped-up by a fuel bowser immediately before taking off.

[174] On several occasions the Luftwaffe mounted night intruder raids and followed the bombers home over England, shooting them down before they were able to land. The Hampden-equipped squadrons were operational from the day Britain declared war on Germany initially dropping propaganda leaflets but then usually in night time bombing attacks or mine-laying (sea mines) in known enemy shipping or U-boat transit routes or even in enemy harbours. [57][58][59], Avro Lancaster four-engined heavy bomber used normally in night operations and usually crewed by seven airmen, a pilot, a flight engineer, a navigator, a bomb aimer, a wireless operator/air gunner, a mid-upper gunner and a rear gunner.

Owen Thetford: Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 6th edition. In late 1944 and 1945 daylight operations were possible as the Luftwaffe's ability to attack large formations was reduced and daylight "ops" were flown.

Usually, this was accomplished discreetly; however, at least two aircrew are reported to have had their flying badges and rank badges removed before a squadron parade. The traditional tail end Charlie "Rear Gunner" continued in place facing rearwards with his quad mounted .303 Browning machine guns while an additional air gunner, known as the "Mid Upper" gunner climbed up into a sling harness to man a power-operated dorsal turret on the top of the fuselage. [63]

Commissioned officers, usually the more senior ranks, could receive a Distinguished Service Order which was sometimes awarded to junior officers for acts of exceptional bravery. The Pathfinder crews in turn released their target indicators on different marker flares laid for them by their leader, who flew minutes ahead in a de Havilland Mosquito light bomber to identify the precise target buildings at very low level.

[48] Within crews some gunners preferred one turret or the other would usually fly in that, in other crews the gunners might swap turrets regularly. [49], As the war progressed it became common for airmen to "team up" and form the crew with whom they would fly "operations" while still at their "Operational Training Unit" before being posted to their squadrons. The foundation of the Pathfinder Force brought with it a requirement for experienced aircrew.

Aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in support of its efforts in the Schneider Trophy races, and includes aircraft used solely as trainers. Two incidents of individual escaped prisoners of war disappearing completely are recorded, Warrant Officer George Grimson, RAF[222] and Warrant Officer Roland Townsend-Coles, RAF.

"Navigator" who worked at his desk behind a curtain and instructed the pilot on route and airspeed required throughout the operation in order to arrive on target within the expected time period in company with the other aircraft due to attack, he operated any radar navigational aids carried aboard.

Briefings usually commenced during the afternoons, and for reasons of security the bomber base would be closed down to all but the most necessary traffic in or out to reduce to a minimum any leakage of intelligence which might help to forewarn the enemy,[109] even public telephones were padlocked. Typically the primary briefing was provided by the "C.O." [208][209], A total of 57,205 members of RAF Bomber Command or airmen flying on attachment to RAF Bomber Command were killed or posted missing in World War II.

The format of the briefing would be similar to the main briefing but with less navigational detail. [129] Pre-flight lavatory relief was both physically and psychologically encouraged by the prospect of a long flight ahead.

Aircraft operated with the Fleet Air Arm from 1924 until 1939 were operated by the Royal Air Force on behalf of the Navy and are included; those operated by the Royal Navy after it re-acquired control of the aircraft used to support its operations in 1939 are not, but all aircraft operated in conjunction with the Navy are listed at List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm.

[80][81] Sergeant Walter Tixhon, an air gunner serving with No. [180] If the conditions were foggy[181] or particularly poor on their return, it was not unusual for aircraft to be diverted to more distant bases which were clear. [169] Wartime reports and aircrew memoirs make regular mention of intense, brightly coloured violent explosions within the bomber stream which often showered clouds of sparks which aircrew referred to as "scarecrows" and believed were a type of pyrotechnic shell designed to scare aircrew.

Each flight was commanded by a squadron leader who was usually a pilot but later in the war could be a navigator.

[137] A crash at this stage usually killed all aboard.

[200] Squadron Leader Daniel Everett DFC and 2 Bars, is reported to have flown more than 120 operations before being killed in action on 8 March 1945 flying with No.

The original trade of observer began to be phased out although those airmen who had qualified in that role early in the war continued to wear their Observer flying badge with great pride. During the war it was responsible for t 35 Squadron RAF,[199] is reported to have flown more than 107 operations (missions) and possibly as many as 143. A pilot wore the traditional double-winged flying badge "pilot's wings" on his tunic above his left breast pocket.[32]. When the Blackburn Beverley C. Mk 1 (above) entered squadron service in March 1956—with No. As with the Lancaster where thousands of young Australians flew them in Europe in the RAF, only two were owned by the RAAF. On completion of an instructional tour at Operational Training Unit or Heavy Conversion Unit, the airmen were sometimes "returned to ops", either at their own request or by routine postings, and would join a newly trained crew and commence another operational tour.

[195] Other crews completing their tours of operations could transfer at that point to Pathfinder squadrons for a further 15 or more "ops" before being "screened"; several crews went on to complete up to 65 "ops". [24] During this time each crew would be joined by a flight engineer,[25] and an additional air gunner to man the mid-upper gun turret although sometimes the gunners would agree to exchange turrets.

During this time bombers were under constant attack.

Occasionally a second pilot might be aboard.

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