Subject: What it took to get wings in WW II.
From: "Steve Ruse"
Date: 7/13/03 12:04 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id: gw7Qa.49824$H17.14799@sccrnsc02

Very interesting Art, thanks for sharing that. Thanks also for doing what
you did back then...without guys like you, where would we be today? I looked
through your site, & really enjoyed the stories & pictures. I grew up in
Odessa, just down the road from where you were in Cadet School. I went to an
ex-POW meeting there with my grandfather just a few months ago...you must
have some interesting memories of that place.

Steve Ruse


"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



Thanks for the kind words.I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in this
stuff. Part II will be flying school. Part three we become a crew and take the
B-26 Marauder through shakedown flights. Then off to the war.

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