Coll 5/54 ‘Afghanistan: Training of Afghan Air Personnel in India’ [‎103r] (205/519)

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report on mmm training
AFC51AN C.4DETS
1938-1939•
1«, In the short tiifle availahle for instruction it was not
possible to carry out a full syllabus of Armament Training such as
would be required to attain a standard comparable to that reached
in a Flying Training School, Wherever possible, therefore, the
policy has been to concentrate on practice ratner than theory,
lecturing'* being subordinated to , *dQmonstration ,, as the main
method of instruction,
2, Hie normal difficulties experienced when necessary to
co-ordinate training with Squadrons already engaged on a
comprehensive training programme, and hence hop always in a position
to spare personnel for this work, were further increased by
(a) the move of No, 28(AC) Squadron, R,A*F # , to Kohat;
(b) the shortage of armament personnel in the replacement
Squadron, No, 60(B) Squadron; and
(c) the lack of equipment for the training of the pupils*
3, Despite the difficulties experienced, however, the
progress of the pupils wax quite satisfactory, and all displayed a
nign degree of keenness throughout the period of training.
BOMBING.
Instruction in the use of the C.S,B,S, was given to all
observers, and air exercise involving its use (straight runs over
the Camera Gbscura and finding «,S, CD,) were carried out. The
tendency of all observers, however, is to neglect essential points
in the manipulation of the C,S,B,£, when in the air, and is &
feature that will need constant supervision,
5, gamers, luscunu
(a) The theory of the Camera Cbscura was explained to all
pilots and observers and instruction given in its use. All
observers have carried out practices involving the calculation of
W,S, & D, and the air and ground-speeds of aircraft flying over
the Camera Obseura and are now capable of working a fixed Camera
Obscura unaided,
(b) All crews carried out strai^it runs over the Camera
Obscura and attained a reasonable standard of proficiency,
(c) It was not possible to carry out Camera Obscura
bombing as the aircraft fitted to take the W/T installation had
become time-expired when the wireless equipment was eventually
received,
6. , an d , .Piya..
(a) It was not possible to carry out any practice bombing
as the Bombing Range was not available when the pupils had reached
a sufficiently hirfi standard to carry out these exercises.
Practice dive-bombing on the camera gun target was however given
to all pilots,
(b) Practice in the loading and testing of bomb-carriers
prior to flight was given to all pilots and observers.
/GUNNERY