1930s/WW2 RAF Pilot's Flying Log book - Squadron Leader A.W. Vincent - 83 squadron

1930s/WW2 RAF Pilot's Flying Logbook - Squadron Leader A.W. Vincent - 83 Squadron. really nice pre war and just into WW2 Pilot's flying log book, named to a Squadron LEader A.W. Vincent.

The log book is in good condition, fully legible and has nice entries. Some wear to the cover, but all pages are in good condition without any major damage.

The logbook begins on the first page with a good list of aircraft flown by the pilot: Hart, Bulldog, Audax, Swordfish, Battle and Hurricane aircraft, to name a few. So a well-flown pilot indeed! The logbook begins in 1936 at the ETW school, first flying on Atlas aircraft. Hes then posted to 83 Squadron in sptember 1936, flying on Hind's. Plenty of flying is undertaken, with several entries recording Gun camera testing, dive bombing practice, formation flying, and more. It does look like Vincent was already a Flight Lieutenant when he joined 83 Squadron, and as such he is the O.C. of "B" Flight of No. 83 Squadron, as he has to sign his own log book! 

From July 1937, he then moves to Calshot and begins flying floatplanes, as he puts it; it's recorded in his log book that he flies Swordfish aircraft. The famous torpedo bomber of Taranto and Bismarck fame. He's only briefly at Calshot before returning to 83 Squadron. He is often recorded as being above average in his assessments. 

In November of 1937, he then moves to No. 3 A.A.C.U. in Halfar, Malta. I believe 3 AACU is an Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Unit. Again, he's now flying the Swordfish aircraft more regularly. He's carrying out multiple training and naval cooperation flights with naval ships; he lists several, including H.M.S. London, Devonshire, Shropshire, Arethusa and even H.M.S. Hood, the pride of the Royal Navy! He's most likely carrying out training flights to allow the gunners on board the ships to hone their anti-aircraft shooting. He carries out these flights up until December 1938. One entry we found interesting was the practise of gas spray attaacks, this entry from the 23rd of Auguat 1938. 

From December 1938 up until April 1940, there are no further entries until he then joins No.7 A./A. Co-op unit at Castle Bromwich. he flies multiple different aircaft during this time, including the Dragon, Lep-Moth, Battle, Harvard and Hurricane. From May 1940 he joins No.6 o.T.U. at Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire, here he practises flying the hawker hurricane. The last entry being posted to No8 Bombing and Gunnery school at Evanton on 9/7/40. 

We further researched A.W. Vincent, and we found he later went on to become the O.C of No.607 County of Durham Squadron in October 1940, this most likely after the squadrn was ravaged during the Battle of Britain. He stayed with the squadron till May 1941. They were sent to Scotland to refit and recoup. Squadron Leader A.w Vincent later goes on to command RAF Abadan in the Middle East; he then moves to AHQ Levant in 1943, serving as Senior Air Staff Officer.

Overall, a lovely early logbook of a senior RAF officer. Worthy of further research and a proper display. Ideal for any RAF collection, museum, or display. 

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