Margreet was reading about a Red Arrows pilot who wore anti-gravity blackout compression kit as part of his job as lead pilot.
Training in America during the war we had no such kit, even though our two-seat Harvards were the British and American advanced training aircraft, enabling us on graduation to convert directly to flying Spitfires and Hurricanes.
She read out from the article about blackouts and I told her that I had experienced such during my flying from an airfield in Oklahoma.
It so happened that a famous fighter pilot was being rested from operations in Europe and sent to the USA to rest, speak publicly and to the likes of us.
He felt like flying a Harvard and that as I was one of the better student pilots, I was chosen to fly with him.
So up we went with me in control. Then he said that he would take over when we were high enough and in an airspace safe for aerobatics.
He then proceeded to fly our aircraft in the manner of fighting German Me109s in combat.
During several of his pretty extreme manoeuvres I blacked out, being aware of most of my faculties but quite unable to see, as blood that should have been feeding my brain fled toward my flying boots under the force of added gravity.
So had the war in Europe not come to an end I would probably have flown bomber aircraft rather than fighters.
3 comments:
Super picture Uncle Jim xx
Hello Jimmy, as my Dad would call you :-) Son of Ron Wyatt here. I occasionaly read with interest you insights. Some relate to your squadron, therefore come with it memories of my father. Also the Silcester related tales, as I live 3 miles away in the village of Bramley. I liked the Harvard painting too. Long may you continue :-) Best Wishes Paul
Just recently discovered your work and they are amazing. Always tells a moment in time. Best wishes from a fan Jamie S, Melbourne Australia
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