Len Worsdell trained on Course 27D at Falcon Field starting on 26 June 1945 and finishing on 10 September 1945.



I joined the RAF on 18th November 1943. Previously I worked in Salisbury’s Cathedral Close when a spitfire flew over. I decided my ambition was to fly a spitfire so I joined the ATC, rose to sergeant and was called up in 1943. I ended up in a large flat in St John’s Wood watching doodle bugs. Having left school at 14, I was first sent for an educational course at Ealing for 6 months. Then I went to Torquay for assessment and was selected to be a pilot/bomb aimer. I went to Stormy Island ITW and when it closed, was sent on to Bridgnorth ITW. Then to train at Heaton Park in Manchester. After visiting several Aerodromes and returning to Heaton Park, I was sent to Scotland and then embarked for America on the Aquitania in 1944. I travelled by train through the heart of the USA via Canada and Mexico to No.4BFTS Falcon Field, Arizona as a member of Course 27. At Falcon Field I flew the PT13 (Stearman).



During the course there was a violent storm which ruined all Stearman planes and a new lot had to be quickly flown in. Very few Texan AT6's were affected.



When VJ Day occurred all assistance ended and we were given the choice of flying on for a few days. We had just graduated. Course 26 and ours were sent back to the UK on the Queen Elizabeth after spending a week in New York staying at various Charity Organisations for cheapness.



Len received his wings as at the time the RAF had a category for non-commissioned pilots and Len graduated as a Pilot IV. He retained his three stripes and was a member of the Sergeants Mess. This category came into effect in 1946 and only lasted a short period of time. Len was awarded the Defence and War medals.