The Icelandic connection - 01.12.2020, Qupperneq 13

Vol. 71 #4
ICELANDIC CONNECTION
155
the alphabet. Boys all left at 10:30 for
Ismailia, I left behind. Stalled around all
day killing time rest of day. Got fellows to
move in with me, retired about 9 pm.
From here, on January 6th 1918 we
went to #21 Training School at Ismailia
where we had our elementary training on
the Maurice Farman biplane, very much
like the first flying machine I saw back at
the Winnipeg Exhibition in 1910, except
perhaps, that there were no front outriggers
or front elevators.
1918 Diary
Sunday January 6th: Arose at 7 am.
Packed my kit ready to go to Ismailia. Left
at 11 am from Cairo. Arrived Ismailia at 2
pm. Frank met me. Got in same Flight as
boys. Met all the old gang again. Hilly and
I bunking together. Retired about 9:30 pm.
Monday January 7th: Arose at 8 am.
No Flying. Reported to Orderly Room at
8:30 and at Flight Office at 10:00. Brushed
(?) over a machine with ‘C’ Squad. Spent
afternoon lying around. Dressed for dinner,
ate, retired at 9:30 pm.
My Instructor Lt. Calley and I sat in
a “bath-tub” type nacelle slung in between
the two planes with the engine just
behind us, Dual control was accomplished
by reaching around the party in front,
practically sitting in your lap, if it was
arranged that you should sit in the seat
proper. I had long legs and arms, so I was
usually the one behind with the Instructor
in front of me. (see Figure 1 on page 154)
Tuesday January 8th: Calley my
Instructor took me up for my joy ride and
aerial winding. (?) I spent 22 minutes in
the air and liked it fine. I did nothing in
particular in the afternoon. (Konnie’s first
flight).
Wednesday January 9th: Arose at 5
am. Frank and I took out machines ready
for early flying with others. Frank got up
ahead of me. I spent 5 minutes in air and
came down to alarm signal. Retired about
9:15 pm.
Thursday January 10th: Arose at 5 am.
Frank and I early flying again. I got up first
and put in about 40 minutes with Calley.
Spent afternoon lounging around. After
dinner we had a sort of rehearsal in Staff’s
anteroom. Frank and I left for our tent
immediately after. Retired about 10 pm.
Friday January 11th: Arose at 7 am.
Calley took me up for 8 minutes. Cleaned
up No. 4, oil leaking from engine, covered
tail plane. Lay around in afternoon. Spent
some time playing fiddle. Dressed for dinner
and fooled around with Hilly. Practised
in Mess after dinner. Retired about 10.
Saturdayjanuary 12th: Arose at 6 am.
Up for early flying. Bumpy up. Got in 40
minutes flying before too windy to keep it
up. Practised with Orchestra after dinner.
Mr. Davies played bass. Others on drum,
bells ,etc. Old Doc conducting. Left at
9:30. Went to bed.
Saturday January 19th: Up with
Calley, had 49 minutes. Up with Smith
right after, had 21 minutes. Decided to
launch me (Solo flight). Whiled away
afternoon. Retired 9:00 pm.
Sunday January 20th: Arose at 5
am. Smith sent for me. Went up for 30
minutes, did landings. To be launched
tomorrow. Went downtown in afternoon
and took snaps. Had tea at the Savoy with
Frank Frederickson, Davies, Willoughby
and friends. Retired after dinner.
On January 21st, after some two hours
and twenty-three minutes of taking-off,
banking and landing, I was launched, (flew
solo) After two successful landings, I was
called in, having snapped an undercarriage
wire in the last one. Thus did I finally
gratify that old urge or yearning. I sure
thought I was somebody after that but
fortunately reason and common sense
took over, as flying hours piled up and with
them a very healthy respect for engines and