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1. Press ‘Esc’ at any time to end the presentation. Ground Crew “RAF Groundcrews, or ‘erks’ as they were known…were in the front line as the Battle of Britain gathered momentum”. David Oliver, Fighter Command 1939-45 Defending the Nation

2. What can you see happening in this scene from the Battle of Britain? Part of the Battle of Britain London Monument by Paul Day Who are these people?

3. The work of the ground crews was vital if the R.A.F. was to defeat the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. The groundcrew worked tirelessly readying aircraft between ‘scrambles’. Part of the Battle of Britain London Monument by Paul Day Very often four armourers (like those above), were all needed to turn an aircraft around quickly – getting an aircraft ready to scramble again as soon as possible. Written Sources Further Images

4. How important a job do you consider that of a groundcrew member to have been? “When the fighters landed they were expected to be refuelled, re-armed and gun ports taped, have their engines checked, including topping up the oil and glycol coolant tanks, oxygen cylinders replaced and Radio Transmission tested, all within 10 minutes!” “When at a state of readiness, a member of the groundcrew, the engine fitter, would warm up the fighter’s engine at regular intervals, while the other member of the ‘team’, the airframe rigger, would be ready to help the pilot into his parachute and strap him into the seat in the event of a ‘scramble’. David Oliver, Fighter Command 1939-45, (Harper Collins 2000) Why do you think that David Oliver has chosen to put the word ‘team’ in ‘single’ quotation marks? Back to Slide 10 Boulton-Paul Defiant Photocard provided by M. Williams

5. How does the information below reinforce the conclusion that you came to when answering the questions on the previous slide? “A smooth-running engine, clean and well-oiled canopy and non-jamming guns would often not only increase a pilot’s chances of shooting down the enemy, but may save his life. Many long-term relationships between groundcrew and aircrew were forged during the hectic months of the Battle of Britain.” David Oliver, Fighter Command 1939-45, (Harper Collins 2000) Jobs carried out by the Groundcrew Boulton-Paul Defiant Photocard provided by M. Williams

6. Using all of the sources – how difficult a life was it for groundcrew personnel during the Battle of Britain? “The (engines) fitted to the first RAF Hurricanes, Defiants and Spitfires had to be started by using an external battery mounted on a trolley accumulator, which had to be manhandled into place by the groundcrew…The Gladiator and Blenheim 1F had to be cranked into life by an ‘erk’ with a starting handle. A backfire could result in a broken wrist.” “Groundcrews set up workshops in open cornfields…and slept where and when they could while battles raged…dust found its way into engines, hydraulics and gun mechanisms. (Often) the airfields turned into quagmires. The wire mesh on the airfield would bend upwards with constant use, becoming a bed of needles that punctured aircraft tyres, often with fatal results.” David Oliver, Fighter Command 1939-45, (Harper Collins 2000) Back to Slide 10 Boulton-Paul Defiant Photocard provided by M. Williams

7. What has this member of the Groundcrew got draped around his neck? Part of the Battle of Britain London Monument by Paul Day

8. Armourers during the Battle of Britain had to rearm eight .303 Browning machine guns. Part of the Battle of Britain London Monument by Paul Day The gun bays on the Hurricane only had two panels which were opened by undoing 32 turnbuttons. The Spitfire had 22 panels and 150 turnbuttons. While the armourers were at work another ‘erk’, or member of the groundcrew, would start refuelling the aeroplane. Images provided by the Battle of Britain Historical Society

9. Does this part of Paul Day’s sculpture give you some idea of how many members of the Groundcrew were needed to get a fighter plane airborne and ready for action? Part of the Battle of Britain London Monument by Paul Day

10. What do you think those men that have been boxed are doing? Part of the Battle of Britain London Monument by Paul Day