In April 1 was sent along with about twenty other recruits to # 8 S.F.T.S. (Service Flying Training School) at Moncton, New Brunswick. Although we thought that we were going there to commence our flight training we soon found out this was not the case. We were going on what was called "Tarmac" duty which consisted of acting as service station attendants for the students flying Harvard trainers. We would fill the aircraft with gasoline, bring them into position, clean windscreens, etc.
Harvard in front of tower at Moncton
This job, which lasted about two months, was quite enjoyable as we had lots of leisure time to spend at the beach or sight-seeing. I managed to take numerous side trips - down to Truro and Halifax as well as being able to play a lot of baseball and tennis. It was here that I also had my first plane ride, as I talked one of the instructors into taking me along on a test flip. After going through numerous loops and spins I wasn't sure that I had really made the right decision re my air-force career.
Harvard Trainer