Jake begins advanced training

[mgc1961]

After Jake's primary training in the Fairchild PT-19 he moved on to the British Vultee BT-13 Valiant for his basic training. In this letter, Jake tells his father he just saw the twin-engined Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita in which he'll complete his advanced training. Jake will then graduate to the four-engined Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress that he'll actively fly over Europe. At the bottom of this post you'll find links to photographs of the aforementioned aircraft.

The letter is postmarked 05 April 1943.

From George Field, IL

Dearest Dad,

I had my first look at an AT 10, the plane which I'm to train in for the next nine weeks. It has a great deal in common with the BT, but there are many added things to be mastered. We have wheels to let up and down. The prop pitch has more than one position instead of two, high and low as before. There are instruments for flaps, wheels, rudder changes etc... The instrument panel covers the whole front of the plane.

We were on the flight line at 6:15 o'clock this morning which meant that we got up at 5 a.m. I thought the infantry was early but they have nothing on us.

My check ought to be home by now. I wrote gobs of checks just before I left Greenwood. Let me know what my total at present is. My last check was to cadet mess for $50. I ought to have about $500 in the account now. You are still buying a war bond each month I presume? I think your contribution to the church is o.k. at $5.00 a month. After all, God gave me all that I have. Send me another check book, if you don't mind.

Tell mayme and grandmother that I got their letters and I'm waiting for the box to arrive.

There is not much more to tell. Keep yourself well and I'll be seeing you before you realize it.

Love to all,

Your devoted son,

Jake Jr.


Fairchild PT-19: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_PT-19

Vultee BT-13 Valiant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vultee_BT-13_Valiant

Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_AT-10_Wichita

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress

[mgc1961]

1. For readers unfamiliar with this story, Jake Sr. was a WWI pilot.