MOSQUITO SALUTE RN pilot
Operating the Mosquito from an aircraft carrier might have been fine for Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown, but it was potentially a tougher ask for lesser mortals. Even so, many post-war Fleet Air Arm pilots flew the type in land-based roles — including this one
The period from 1945-49 was one of change in the Fleet Air Arm, just as in all of aviation. By 1947 most of the wartime volunteers had gone, to be replaced by four-year short service commission aircrew, of which I was one. Most were ex-Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve members who had chosen to sign on. Squadrons were running at about 15 per cent of their wartime numbers.
Most of the commander flying and lieutenant commander flying roles were filled by ex-RNVR personnel, with only single-engine experience. This was a disadvantage. Us short service commission types had more relevant experience to be the senior squadron aircrew.
