Dennis loved planes as a child, having lived near the American airbase in Northern Ireland. He joined up as an RAF Halton apprentice at aged 16 and describes an extensive and wide-ranging education, working on Spitfires, Hurricanes and even a Mosquito. On completion of his apprenticeship, Dennis was posted to South Wales for 1 year of improver training, during which he worked on Mark 3A and 4 Meteors and then transferred to Pembroke Dock, where he worked on the Sunderland Flying boats. It was from here, that in 1952 he was posted to Korea at short notice. He was based near the Imjin River with the British Army and tasked with working on the Auster aircraft. He describes in detail the work he had to do to keep them flying and the many experiences he had during his time there. The winters were very difficult and he tells of the ingenuity of the British troops in overcoming some of the hardships. He was also posted to the aircraft carrier HMS Glory for one tour, he was clearly fascinated by the operations on board ship. He returned home to his wife and a 23-month-old daughter whom he had never met.

Bernard Parke conscripted into the Royal Air Force as a Radar Operator recalls his time in the role and the difficulties that faced young men during their early careers in the force.  From 1 January 1949, healthy males 17 to 21 years old were expected to serve in the Armed Forces for 18 months, and remain on the reserve list for four years. After the Korean War, the service period was extended to four years. Bernard tells stories about the treatment he received from his superiors, his experience with American colleagues and how his handwriting almost got a Viscount airliner shot down! His story highlights the importance of the use of Decca's Type 80 radar. In it's day it was a huge leap in technology, after a short lull due to the aftermath of WWII, with a reliable range of 250 miles and the ability to distinguish two planes apart at a 150 miles. His important story of post WWII boom emphasises the impact of the 1950s low rate of unemployment (around 3% ). Servicemen during WWII had been promised employment after victory, and no government was prepared to break this pledge. Although, competition for the better jobs was tough and Bernard waited three months before he landed a job at Lloyds Bank. Overall, Bernard reflects fondly on his time spent with the RAF as a National Serviceman.

Len Manning joined the Air Cadets in 1938 and then volunteered as an Air Gunner in 1943. He underwent rigorous training and was ready to fly in Summer 1944. Len managed three raids in his RAF career, his first took him to Nevers in the South of France, the second was a 1000 bomber daylight raid on Caen, and on the third he made a narrow escape after his plane was shot down by a German fighter. Len was lucky to be found by the French resistance after walking over 8 miles to the nearest village. He tells of how the resistance looked after him and managed to keep him hidden from German soldiers – despite some very close calls. He remained hidden until the German retreat, when he was reunited with the RAF in Paris. His story provides a unique insight into life behind enemy lines in occupied France and highlights the remarkable bravery and resourcefulness of the French resistance. Len acknowledges how lucky he was to survive and gives credit to the German fighter pilot who shot the wing of his plane and not the fuselage, a decision that ultimately saved his life.