Friday 20 December 1918 – Engine Test

It’s been a week since Greg was last in the air, at least according to the flights recorded in his log book.  And this one was just a short engine test with A/M Dix.  

Log Book

Log BookLog Book - engine test with A/M Dix

Date: Dec 20th 
Machine Type: RE8
RE8: 2517
Observer: A.M. Dix
Time: 10 min
Height: 1500
Course/Remarks: Engine test

Engine Test

Ten minutes in the air, up to 1,500 ft, with Air Mechanic Dix in the observer’s compartment.  The log book has nothing else to tell us.  All that we can deduce is that in short time they can’t have gone far from the aerodrome!

This was Greg’s only flight with A/M Dix.

Today’s flight was the last one recorded in Greg’s log book as having been in RE8 2517.  2517 was Greg’s usual machine in the few weeks before the armistice, and the one he flew second most often overall – after E27.

It looks as though there is no Squadron Record Book entry for this flight.  But there is an SRB entry for a ten minute flight with A/M Dix tomorrow – 21 December 1918 – for which there is no log book entry.  Possibly there was a mix up and the two entries refer to the same flight.

Wednesday 20 November 1918 – Flying During Armistice

Greg’s first time flying during the armistice was an unremarkable engine test, with Lt Scarterfield.

Log Book

Log Book - Flying During Armistice

Date: Nov 20th
Machine Type: RE8
RE8: 2517
Observer: Scarterfield
Time: 15m
Height: 2000
Course/Remarks: Engine test. OK.

A mundane engine test: nothing like the excitement – or danger – of war flying.

Next Up…

Greg’s next recorded flight was on 24 November 1918.

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