John Crossman at Cranwell, April 1940

April 1940: John Crossman had recently arrived at Cranwell for his advanced training. On 17 April he finally went solo on the Hart, a more powerful and manoeuvrable machine than the Tiger Moths he had trained on at Ansty.

 

 

(John Crossman and  the Australians on his training course at Cranwell, April 1940. John is on the far right hand end of the front row, sitting.)

 ‘Went solo this morning at last, thank the Lord. Beat the wind to it and had a good thirty minutes solo. It was good. To be alone once more. I must say Harts are a nuisance what with cheese cutters and winding the radiator in and out. There are so many gadgets to look after and a fellow has to be very much on the ‘que vive’ all the time especially as there are so many planes about to look for and keep away from.’

 He went solo again on the 18th and felt he was really coming along: ‘went up to 8000 and tried up some aerobatics. These Harts handle very well’. He was pleased that his training was advancing, but so was the war and he was frustrated that he was still a long way from it: ‘The navy is putting up a good show and has sunk about ten German warships. I wish I could get into it and do my bit, we are all longing to have a go at them.’

 

 

 John Crossman is one of the Australian pilots featured in Australian Eagles. Australians in the Battle of Britain, Barrallier Books, July 2013. Reserve your copy now of the high quality production, limited edition of 500 signed and numbered copies.