People and Personalities

Members of the No 5 British Flying Training School (BFTS) at the gathering held on Saturday 19 September were delighted when a Harvard flew past in a surprise flyby. Many of the 50 members present flew the advanced training plane during the war.

The reunion at Cranfield (pic: Ian Meadows)

Other highlights of the day included a further flyby by two Ryan PT2s, a tour of the on-campus facilities of pilot training centre Cabair and a look at the engine gallery Cranfield boasts.

The members of the No 5 association trained together in Clewiston, Florida to aid the war effort between 1941 and 1945.

Thrilled

One of the members, Brian Spragg, joined the association in 1990 and was thrilled to attend the day.

The 86-year-old from Great Brington, Northamptonshire, had an interesting flying career in the war during which he was shot down twice in a six week period without sustaining serious injury.

The grandfather of three always knew he wanted to fly.

“When I was at school I went to see the flying circus and I thought that is what I want to do. The feeling of flying a plane compares to nothing else” he said.

“Being part of the association allows us to retain the camaraderie that we had when training together all those years ago. It was a lovely day and to see everyone and being able to see the planes that we used to fly made it truly memorable.”

Honour

Cranfield were presented with a painting of two Second World War planes the No 5 BFTS flew during the war as a thank you for hosting the event for the second year running. In return the members were given a photograph of the University’s airfield as a memento of the event.

Professor Sir John O’Reilly, Cranfield University Vice-Chancellor added: “It was our privilege to host the reunion for the pilots who risked their lives during the Second World War.

“It was an honour to have met such humble heroes; I hope Cranfield will be considered for future reunions.”