Operational Training comes to an end

On 30th August 1943, Broody passed the Observer (Radio) Training Course. The Instructor’s sign-off records the assessment as “Average“, and comments:

“Short conversion course – Needs practice”

So with all training complete, Broody’s next posting (after a short period of leave) is to 488(NZ) Squadron RAF at Bradwell Bay.

24/viii/43

24^th August 09:15
Bristol Beaufighter I V8353
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator: Self
Ciné-Gun Exercise X
Cannon Exercise VI_A
2:00
Practice attacks on Martinet & drogue – shooting
Gunsight U/S – no hits

23/viii/43

23^rd August 11:35
Bristol Beaufighter I T4625
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator: Self
Ciné-Gun Exercises XII
PRACTICE SCRAMBLE
1:15
Excellent trip! – bomber affiliation with violently-evading Wellington. 75ft of film taken

22/viii/43

22^nd August 10:35
Bristol Beaufighter I R2149
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator: Self
Ciné-Gun Exercise V
1:25
Drogue Shooting

20/viii/43

51 OTU – RAF Twinwood Farm – No.2 Squadron – B Flight

20^th August 14:25
Bristol Beaufighter I X7683
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator: Self
Ciné-Gun Exercises II & III
1:20
Simple deflection for 180mph & 300mph target
Very sick!

14/viii/43

14^th August 14:40
Bristol Beaufighter I V8233 (A/I Mk.VII)
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator (R): Self
Passenger: F/Lt Janacek
NFT – Weapon bent – Modulator blew up at 7,500 ft
Landed to drop passenger at CRANFIELD
1:10

23:55
FREE-LANCE
2 Contacts – 2 Visuals – 2 Murders. 1 Oxford: 1 Lancaster – evading very violently
Weapon bent
2:50

13/viii/43

13^th August 01:35
Bristol Beaufighter VI EL164 (A/I Mk.VII)
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator (R): Self
FREE-LANCE
5 Contacts – 5 Visuals – 5 Murders.
2 Whitleys: 1 Wellington: 1 Beaufighter: 1 Fortress
1:00

12/viii/43

12^th August 14:40
Bristol Beaufighter I V8254 (A/I Mk.VII)
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator (R): Self
NFT & A/I Exercise VI
1:15

21:50
GCI PRACTICE ~ Comberton
Weapon bent after 1hr, then target until playmate’s weapon bent
2:10

09/viii/43

9^th August 15:25
Bristol Beaufighter VI EL164 (A/I Mk.VII)
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator (R): Self
NFT & A/I Exercise VI
Cine-gun shooting on A/I
1:15

23:45
SEARCHLIGHT EXERCISE ~ Duxford
Lots of finger trouble at Control – stooged around as target for 2 hrs. Put on vector straight for centre of London then playmate informed our R/T was U/S, so dived straight home
2:25

The “NFT” during the daytime flight was a Night Flying Test, to ensure all systems were fully operational for night flying.

08/viii/43

8^th August 09:30
Bristol Beaufighter I V8231 (A/I Mk.VII)
Pilot: W/Cdr Hamley AFC
Navigator (R): Self
Instructor: F/O Dalton DFM
A/I Exercise I
1:50
Long range contact, following evasive action & test