Subject: What it took to get wings in WW II.
From: "Keith Willshaw"
Date: 7/12/03 4:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id:


"ArtKramr" wrote in message
...
WHAT IT TOOK TO GET WINGS IN WW II (part one)

1. First apply. You would be given a physical and a written test. You
could
pass the written test if you were a good high school student with good
skills
in math, physics and the general sciences. The physical exam was a lot
tougher.
The vast majority failed and never got into the cadet program.
2. If you got into the program you were sent to basic infantry training.
Many
washed out due to the inability to meet the standards. Tests like the
obstacle
course not made the required time was one cause.
3. If you made it through basic you were sent to CDT, a College Training
Detachment. I went to Kent State University in Ohio. Here there were two
main
activities: flying and academic work. The flying consisted of 10 hours of
dual
instruction in Piper Cubs. The academic work consisted of intense
classroom
studies in math and physics. But these courses were custom designed to
concentrate on aviation applications. The math covered algebra, geometry,
solid
geometry, trig and spherical trig, The physics concentrated on aero
applications and meteorology. Failure to meet academic standards resulted
in
being washed out of the program. The washout rate in my class was about
10%
4. Those who survived this far went to classification in San Antonio
Texas.
Here you took exams far more intensive than anything before. Intense
physical
and exams in math and physics with psychological examinations to determine
emotional stability, determination and sense of commitment. The washout
rate
here was greater than in any other steps in the process. Many washed out
for
poor depth perception. Many were washed out on the Schneider Index, a very
critical set of physical standards. Some were washed out for being
psychologically unfit. The washout rate in my class was 90%. Those
remaining
were then classified pilot, navigator, bombardier or
bombardier/navigator..
5. You were then sent to the proper school, pilot,navigator or bombardier
school. I was sent to bombardier/navigator school at Big Spring, Texas.

MORE TO FOLLOW LATER

Arthur Kramer
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer


The pre war RAF experience seems to have been a little different

Frank Harbord in his biography describes his experiences on
volunteering for aircrew thus

In February 1939 the Air Ministry summoned me to London for an interview
with the RAF. After the interview and the medical examination they told me
to carry on working as normal and that the\ would contact me in due course.
About the middle of June 1939 1 received a letter from the Air Ministry
telling me that accommodation had been arranged for me at 130, Abington
Avenue, Northampton. 'Number 6 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training
School' had taken over part of St Georges College in St Georges Avenue,
Northampton. and 1 was to report there during the morning of July 10th 1939.

30, Abington Avenue turned out to be a moderate sized house in a red brick
terrace built about the turn of the century. It had three floors, five large
bedrooms and was situated near the County Cricket Ground. The landlady was a
widow, a Mrs Nichols, she made a living by letting the bedrooms and looking
after her lodgers. One of the bedrooms 1 was to share with another under

Interesting. Thank you. Quite a difference between the Brit and US procedure
It is as though the Brits did it one at a time while we used a production kind
of procedure.

Arthur Kramer
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer