Growing up near Coventry, Flying Officer Tom Holland witnessed the devastation caused by air raids. This, alongside his desire to fly, motivated him to join the RAF. Starting his flight training during WW2, he graduated from RAF College Cranwell, first in order of merit. Although he’d hoped - and was specially recommended- to fly Spitfires for reconnaissance photography, Tom was sent for additional training to operate flying boats. By the end of his training, Tom had had experience on a variety of aircraft, including Tiger Moths, Harvards, Oxfords and Lancasters, before being placed with 230 Squadron at the end of July 1948 to fly Sunderlands. The week he joined, the Squadron was deployed to Hamburg for the Berlin Airlift. Tom recalls what life was like flying, and working, on Sunderland aircraft during the Airlift. The interior stripped of as much unnecessary weight as possible, he recalls the precise logistics required to carry various loads into Berlin. Navigating the challenges of landing on water, to adverse weather conditions and pressure from Russian aircraft, Tom’s interview highlights the knife edge between peace and war during this period and he retains pride for what was achieved and the vital part he played. 

Cornish boy to a Berlin Airlift veteran, Guy Eddy provides an outstanding account of his time in the Royal Air Force. Born in the Cornish countryside to a farming family and leaving school at 16 and a half , he was unsure of what his career would entail at the beginning of the Second World War. Humble beginnings as an RAF Admin Apprentice, Guy knew he wanted to join the force and be a part of the fight to freedom. After 18 months of training in London, he began travelling around the world from India, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia to develop his piloting skill in a variety of vehicles. Guy recalls 'getting his wings' in 1944 and after that, his career in the force excelled with magnificent force. He reflects on his time in the war and the countries his squadron helped. Guy provides an insight into the items traded on the Black Market with one amusing story where some South Africans wanted to trade coffee beans for something more lucrative. Guy reflects on his time as a pilot during the Berlin Airlift with the unusual packages he delivered and believes it was worthwhile job for him. His account highlights the beautiful and tragic events he witnessed as a pilot in the RAF, finishing with his time flying Britannia's. He finds himself transporting radioactive fuel rods from Singapore to Tokyo for the building of Japanese nuclear power stations. It was highly secretive work and also highly likely that Fukishima was one of the recipients. Overall, Guy Eddy had a remarkable career befitting a remarkable man.

Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot, Bob Foster provides an extraordinary account of his time in the RAFVR. In September 1939, he joined the thousands of other reservist pilots who would defend their country high in sky over the English Channel. As a Wing Commander, Bob Foster flew Hurricanes and Spitfires with 605 Squadron in Battle of Britain. It was the start of an incredible career that would eventually lead him across the equator to fight the Japanese off the coast of Australia. As the war in the Pacific escalated, he joined 54 squadron. Bob recounts his arrival in Australia as one that was shocking. He believed that for them, 'Life went on' in Australia and the War felt very separate from everyday life there. Here, he was credited with destroying and damaging a number of enemy aircraft including at least 5 Japanese aircraft while flying from airfields in northern Australia. His story highlights his pride, achievement and satisfaction in the RAF as a young man in his 20s.