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The Airmen's Stories - F/O M T Wainwright

 

Michael Terry Wainwright was born on 15th March 1919 and attended St. Pauls School from 1933 to 1936.

On 14th July 1936 he went to the London Air Park, Hanworth and took his first flying lesson in a Gypsy Moth. He soloed on 15th September. Wainwright joined the RAF on a short service commission on 27th September 1937. He did his initial training at 7 E&RFTS Desford, moved on to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge in November for a short induction course and went to 3 FTS South Cerney on 16th December.

 

 

 

Awarded his wings on 24th March 1938, Wainwright completed the course, moved to No. 1 AAS Eastchurch on 11th July for an air-firing course on Furies and was then posted to 2 AAS Acklington on 24th December 1938 as a staff pilot on Hinds, Seals and Overstrands.

On 1st September 1939 Wainwright joined 64 Squadron at Church Fenton. The squadron flew Blenheims until 30th March 1940 when it was re-equipped with Spitfires. Over Dunkirk on 29th May Wainwright claimed a Me109 destroyed.

During an offensive sweep over northern France on 25th July 1940, Wainwright's section probably destroyed a Me109. Sub-Lieutenant FD Paul was shot down on this sortie, when 64 was jumped by Me109's.

Wainwright was posted to CFS Upavon on 26th November 1940 for an instructors course on Masters and Tutors. On 29th December he went to 7 EFTS Desford as Flight Commander 'C' Flight. He was there until 12th May 1942, going then to 102 (Glider) OTU Kidlington, flying Hotspur gliders, Masters and Lysanders.

On 1st April 1943 Wainwright became CO of the Air-Firing and Pilot Attack Flight at 58 OTU Grangemouth.

From 17th May 1944 to 30th June 1945 he was with 114 Wing, Transport Command as CO West African Communications Squadron, operating Dakotas. On 1st September 1945 Wainwright went to 109 (Transport) OTU for a Captains course on Dakotas.

In the post-war RAF he held a series of appointments and commands prior to his retirement on 31st March 1958 as a Squadron Leader.

He was awarded the AFC (gazetted 1st January 1951).

Up until 1st August 1990 Wainwright had been flying almost continually in civil aviation, as an airline pilot and instructor in the UK and Middle East. He then had a total of 14,100 flying hours.

He died on 23rd March 2015.

 

 


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