Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in World War II

Air Transport Auxiliary

The pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary were medically unfit or too old to fly for the RAF, or they were  women, but they performed a vital service in the Second World War. Their bases were built close to the factories which  produced as many fighter and bomber aircraft as possible in the war effort. The ATA pilots then flew them from the factory to the RAF bases where they were needed, or between bases. They also transported supplies, medical officers and VIPs... between them these Ancient and Tattered Airmen flew every single plane which came off the production line.

My father was an ATA pilot and his log book shows he flew many types of aircraft, from the small manoeuvrable fighters to the lumbering Lancaster bombers. His first flight with the ATA, in August 1942  was in a Magister, he then flew a Fairchild, Hawker Hart, Harvard, Hurricane then a Master II.  In May 1943 he added Martinet to the list and in June 1943 the beloved Spitfire.

The pilots were given a small ring binder book of Ferry Pilot Notes listing 68 different types of aircraft... and he has ticked off all but seven of them, indicating what he had piloted during those years. The pages in these notes are just 15cm x 10cm and there was one sheet dedicated to each aircraft, not much space for vital information about fuel consumption, temperature, pressures  and revs for take-off, climb and cruising. The Spitfire was fitted with either a Merlin or Griffon engine, just a brief half page of information for each.

Dad added his own notes, for example the Reliant had a comment  about fuel consumption, the fact that the auxiliary tanks were usually empty and the tail wheel-lock was not always fitted.

I have a few photos which show him flying... T8665, a Magister I from Errol to Sherburn on 15 July 1944, and the last Barracuda to come off the production line, number MX907 on 22 June 1945... it was destined for the Royal Navy.

In those days navigation was an awesome job as they had no electronic aids, frequent fog and mist, often no radio and there were many power blackouts. Railway lines, main roads and rivers were the most important features on their maps.

These years were dynamic and challenging times when new types of aircraft were regularly being produced as resources were poured in to the war effort. Dad flew close to 60 types of aircraft, many times being asked to take off in a type of plane he had never flown, with only a short briefing and that small page of handling notes. This was unique, the RAF pilots specialised in one or two types and in later years training requirements would make it impossible to operate so many different aircraft.

Dad often recalled his flying days with fondness and said that as a pilot you were in charge of your own destiny and you didn't have to rely on others. If you overstepped the mark or your own capabilities you were killed, it was as simple as that. 

So 'thank you' to all the Ancient and Tattered Airmen and women, you did us proud.

LEST WE FORGET