The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. D A C Hunt

Douglas Alfred Charles Hunt was born on 1st June 1918 and educated at Kingswood Grammar School, Bristol.

He started as an apprentice at the Bristol Aeroplane Company in September 1934, in aero engine fitting and testing, and gained his technical qualifications over five years at the Merchant Venturers Technical College, Bristol.

In August 1937 Hunt joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot, carried out his week-end flying training at 2 E&RFTS Filton and was awarded his flying badge in November 1938.

He was called to full-time service on 3rd September 1939 and attached to the FAA at Donibristle, where he did a deck-landing course in Gladiators on the carrier HMS Furious. On 30th October Hunt went to 12 Group Pool Aston Down, converted to Spitfires and joined 66 Squadron at Duxford on 16th December.

On 11th January 1940 Hunt shared in the destruction of a He111 off Cromer. On 2nd June, on an early morning patrol over Dunkirk, Hunt was hit by return fire from a Ju88 and baled out. He was taken to Dunkirk by the French, handed over to the British and taken out by launch to a destroyer, which arrived in Dover at 2am the next morning.

On 31st August 1940 Hunt shared in destroying a Do17, on 2nd and 11th September he shared He111s and on the 15th claimed a He111 destroyed and another damaged.

Hunt remained with 66 Squadron until October 1941, when he went to CFS Upavon for an instructors course.

Commissioned in November 1941, he was on the staff of a number of flying schools, 5 FTS Sealand, CFS Upavon, 7 FIS Upavon and 3 FIS Castle Coombe and Lulsgate Bottom.

In January 1946 Hunt did a four months course at the Empire Test Pilots School at Cranfield and then went to the RAE Farnborough, as a test pilot.

Hunt retired from the RAF on 1st October 1958 as a Squadron Leader, retaining the rank of Wing Commander.

He died in 1997.