Research Notes
No. 35 Conversion Flight formed at Linton-On-Ouse in February 1942 to train crews to fly the Handley Page Halifax.
By July 1942, it had worked up to a strength of 3 Officers, 5 Airmen (aircrew trades) and 112 Airmen (Ground Trades). Four Halifax I were on charge of the squadron (L9571, L9575, L9606 and L9607) and three Halifax II (R9370, R9381 and W1006)
In August 1942, flying practice was transferred to RAF Eastmoor, due to construction work at Linton-On-Ouse. Halifax II (R9493) was taken on charge
In September 1942, the unit moved to Marston Moor and then to RAF Rufforth. Halifax W7806 was taken on charge
In October 1942, the unit moved back to Marston Moor and it was disbanded (becoming part of No. 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit) .Halifax W1234 was taken on charge.
The record books show the following instructors were posted and pupils attached to the flight. It is worth noting that the pupils shown are the Captains of aircraft and that their crews were also attached at the same time
February | Instructors | EG Franklin / PS James |
Pupils | Reed / HGB Mays / CC Spencer | |
March | Instructors | EG Franklin |
Pupils | HGB Mays / CC Spencer / Booth / Tweddle / Pack / Stringer | |
April | Instructors | EG Franklin / DSS Wilkerson |
Pupils | Booth / Mackenzie / Astbury / Granger / Boyle / Bonnar | |
May | Instructors | EG Franklin / DSS Wilkerson / AP Hollick |
Pupils | MacKenzie / Peveler / Newitt / Boyle / Watson / Brough / Casey / Drower | |
June | Instructors | EG Franklin / AP Hollick / RT Langton (@) |
Pupils | MacDonald / Reeve / Maple / Dobson / Woolven / Murray / John | |
July | Instructors | EG Franklin / AP Hollick / RT Langton (@) |
Pupils | Murray / PH Smith / John / JW Smith / Caldwell / Saunders / Howe | |
August | Instructors | EG Franklin / RT Langton (@) / SD Jones / LDH Izzard (Signals) / JK Corke (Navigation) / W Walker (Gunnery) / FA Hough (Flight Engineer) |
Pupils | Brown / Caldwell / Saunders / Owen / Webster / Kerry / Beveridge / Thomas / O’Neill / Wilkes | |
September | Instructors | EG Franklin (replaced by P Johnson) / RT Langton (replaced by WHN Balley) / SD Jones / LDH Izzard (replaced by A Linton) (Signals) / JK Corke (Navigation) / W Walker (Gunnery) / WGL Brown (Gunnery) / FA Hough (Flight Engineer) |
Pupils | Webster / Thomas / Beveridge / Herbert / Peters / Sawatzky / O’Neill / Elliott (Refresher) / Rees / RHB Gamble / Wood / Allan / Bell / NS Black | |
October | Instructors | P Johnson) / WHN Balley / A Linton (Signals) / JK Corke (Navigation) / W Walker (Gunnery) / FA Hough (Flight Engineer) |
Pupils | RHB Gamble / Wood / Allen / Bell / NS Black / Carver / Hatley / Fisher / Lea / Rank / Bertram / Hickson / Grubert / |