The Battle of Britain Five Months That Changed History, May—October 1940 by James Holland (z-lib.org).epub

anticipation of the beginning of hostilities, David and five other Auxiliary
pupil pilots had been left behind, first to kick their heels for a month at
Yeadon, and then to be sent to complete their flying training.
David had finished his training just a fortnight before, and his leave the
previous day. Of the six that had been sent to Flying Training School (FTS),
only four were now returning to 609. Two of them, Gordon Mitchell and
Michael Appleby, had driven up to Scotland with David the day before,
having all met up for lunch in Leeds. They had stopped again for dinner in
Alnwick, before finally arriving at Drem in time for reunion drinks in the
mess.
It had been good to be back amongst his old friends once more,
although there were a number of new faces too, including three regular
RAF pilots and four members of the Volunteer Reserve. At first glance they
had seemed decent enough, however, and David had been pleased to notice
that, despite a new CO, the old atmosphere of 609 was little changed. And
Drem seemed like a good spot, with enough hangars and activity to whet
the enthusiasm of any keen young pilot, and plenty of golf nearby, as well
as tennis and squash courts. Furthermore, Edinburgh, with its mass of pubs
and entertainments, was just a short drive away.
Best of all, however, was the prospect of spending many happy hours
flying Spitfires. At last! And Pip had been quick to put him out of his
misery. A half-hour flight in a Harvard in the morning and then he and the
others had been given the all-clear to take the Spitfire up.
The wheels of the petrol bowser had left their impression in the grass
and the smell of high-octane aviation fuel was still strong as David and Pip
reached L.1083. The two groundcrew – the plane’s fitter and rigger – were
still finishing preparing the aircraft for flight as Pip led David around the
Spitfire for the external checks, stepping carefully over the lead from the
accumulator trolley that fed into the cowling. With his helmet now on, and
his parachute strapped and dangling slightly from his backside, David then
climbed on to the root of the port wing and, at Pip’s instruction, hoisted
himself over the half-door and down into the cockpit. Clambering on to the
wing beside him, Pip then talked him through any unfamiliar aspects of the
plane, reminded him of the settings, and then, with a cheery smile, jumped
down and left him to it.
David kept the rounded canopy pushed back behind his seat as he
clipped his radio leads on to his helmet. The cockpit was narrow – just three