32 FLYPAST August 2018
CORRECT ATTITUDE
The Master Pilot instructor –
Jimmy – walked with me to the
apron where Vampire India-Romeo
was parked. We said hello to the two
airmen comprising the starting crew
and, on completing the external
checks, Jimmy saw me safely and
comfortably settle into the cockpit.
He acquainted me with various
controls, including flap and
undercarriage levers, and turned to
the more important of the gauges
with which he knew I would not be
familiar: such as the JPT (jet pipe
temperature gauge).
Requesting that I pay particular
attention to the two yellow knobs
just below the canopy rails on the
starboard side, his manner became
very emphatic as he described their
function: “Pulling the front yellow
knob seals the canopy for cockpit
pressurisation and the one to the
rear jettisons the canopy.” He asked
me to repeat back these items and
seemed quite satisfied that
I understood.
Leaving me for a moment to talk
to the airmen, Jimmy reappeared on
the port side of the cockpit; I felt a
sudden lurch as the nose came up,
the nosewheel coming clear of
the ground.
He had instructed the airmen to
push down on the tail-booms to
raise the nose to a predetermined
position, which I was soon to learn
represented the aircraft’s correct
landing attitude. Laughing at my
surprise, he handed me a large
chinagraph pencil and instructed me1918 2018“Understandably, Bill was looking a little chagrined, saying: ‘Archie,
I’m not too keen on these bloody jets, are you?’”
to draw a line on the front Perspex
where the immediate horizon
crossed the windscreen.
I said to myself: “What would air
forces do without a copious supply
of chinagraph pencils?”FIRST TIME
After an initial ‘wet’ start, which
to me looked terrifyingly like a
fire, Jimmy coached me through asuccessful engine start. I was ready
to go – canopy closed, taxi and take-
off clearance obtained.
After an excruciatingly slow
acceleration I was in the air. From
thereon in everything became very
straightforward. The aeroplane
handled so beautifully. I climbed to
10,000ft (3,050m) and completed a
few aerobatics. But you’ve guessed it:
my hands never went near either ofAbove
Sgt Archie Kinch at
ease while abroad
with 205 Squadron.Above right
A fully kitted-up pilot
boarding a Vampire
FB.5. KEY COLLECTION