Received a nice account from Dad's former WAG of a Halifax flight that some may enjoy. It ran something like this:
When a Pilot has to learn an aircraft he undertakes a series of familiarization flights called Circuits & Landings. The crew is obligated to show up and man their posts while these flights take place. One beautiful sunny day the Tail Gunner and I decided to trade positions: He said, "Listen, it'd be great to trade spots for this flight so I'm not bored to tears" and so it was a done deal. I imagine he tuned in some of Glen Miller's great music ...
Flying over Yorkshire what with the view from that great turret at the rear was sheer Heaven! The runway at Rufforth was only a few miles away from York and I still recall the incredible sight of the Cathedral and that was sixty years ago!
Landing was something else ... Apparently the Gremlins decided to turn the tail wheel at right angles to the rest of the aircraft. We touched down then bounced and bounced and bounced again. This was certainly not what I'd had in mind and not at all what I'd expected.
Finally we slowed and the tailplane swerved off the runway. Except for a sore ass we shook hands all around ... no wonder they called the position "Tail End Charlie"
Just a pleasant little tale of how Halifax Gremlins came out to play one day ...
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