RAF Fighter Tactics trained pre WW II but used in the war

[Håkan]

Hello everybody,

I was wondering if anyone knows about or have a copy of the Fighters Tactics Manual for the RAF that was used before the one used for the eight gun fighters, i.e. a manual used in training the years just prior WW II. What I'm looking for is what was used training the pilots on the Gladiator, Fury etc.

Is there anyone that can help me with this?

Best wishes/Håkan

[Juha]

Hi Håkan
have you seen Fighting in the Air The official combat technique instructions for British fighter pilots, 1916-1945. RAF Museum Series Volume 7 ISBN 0 85368 392 1 or 0-88254-472-1.
For you the most interesting instruction incl. is probably 1933 "Air Fighting" from RAF Flying Training Manual Part II - Applied Flying. 44 pages small print text but including 8 figures showing recommended attack tactics.

HTH
Juha

[Håkan]

Hello Juha,

Thanks for your reply. I agree that this is most probably what I'm looking forward and I have ordered a copy of "Fighting in the Air..."
However, I'm wondering is "Air Fighting" a part of "Fighting in the Air" or is it a separate book that I'll have to try to find through secondhand bookshops?

Best wishes/Håkan

[Juha]

Hello Håkan
Sorry if I wrote unclearly, "Air Fighting" from "RAF Flying Training Manual Part II - Applied Flying" from year 1933 is reprinted in "Fighting in the Air The official combat technique instructions for British fighter pilots, 1916-1945."

Juha

[Håkan]

Ok - Thanks for the help! Much appreciated!

Best wishes/Håkan

[Graham Boak]

"Boy" Bouchier, when commanding 54 Sq in 1936, was tasked with submitting suggestions to attacking German bombers, and came up with six suggested attacks. Somewhat to his surprise these were simply reprinted and issued. I have always assumed these were the ones still in use at the outbreak of war - he makes no further reference to them! - and not what you are looking for. However, 54 still had Gladiators at the time, as did other units, so presumably pilots in these types did train using Bouchier's ideas after 1936.

See his biography "Spitfire over Japan", p177, with all of three paragraphs.

[Håkan]

Hello Graham,

Thanks for the input. I'll try to get a copy of his book as well.

Best wishes/Håkan

[Graham Boak]

Be warned - there are only three paragraphs on the subject in the entire book.

[Håkan]

Thanks for the advise. However the rest of the book seemed so interesting that I ordered it anyway!

Best wishes/Håkan