Page 8 - John George Blair

These pictures show the type of training undertaken at St Athan by the novice Flight
Engineer. In many cases the knowledge gained here saved many crews who found
themselves in difficulties when technical faults developed whilst airborne. It is a
testament to the through training at the RAF’s Schools of Technical training that
ensured the Flight Engineer when he joined his new crew at the Heavy Conversion
Unit could resolve many of the complex faults that developed. The Flight Engineer
was also expected by the Squadron Flight Engineer Leader to get the best miles per
gallon out of the engines, and competition between the squadron Flight Engineers to
that end was encouraged.