A Very Unusual Air War : From Dunkirk to the AFDU - The Diary and Log Book of Test Pilot Leonard Thorne, 1940-45

The 20 Year Old Len Thorne joined the RAF in May 1940 as an Aircrew Volunteer to train as a Pilot.After two hectic tours of operational duty as a fighter pilot (including some desperately dangerous low level flying at Dunkirk in 1940) he was posted to the highly secretive RAF Controlled AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit) and remained there as a test pilot for the remaining duration of the war. He flew both Allied aircraft and captured enemy planes and was a colleague of many of the fighter ‘aces’.Fortunately for us, Len kept an 'illegal' highly insightful personal diary, which, set alongside his RAF service issue Flying Logbook, tells the unique story of a member of the AFDU, tasked with developing operational tactics and testing captured enemy aircraft. Len provides not only an insight into the amazing work done by the test pilots but also into some of the most famous flyers of the RAF who came from all over the world and with whom he worked and flew with.Some of those mentioned include Wing Commander Al Deere DSO DFC Bar (1917-1995) of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Spitfire Aces Squadron Leader Brendan ‘Paddy’ Finucane DSO DFC Two Bars (Ireland - Killed in Action 1942) and Wing Commander Ernie Ryder DFC Bar MID (POW Survived War), and many others. Len’s personal diary entry for 21 September 1942 records the first sighting of the soon to be greatly feared and respected new Luftwaffe fighter the FW190: "The pilot performed a series of quick rolls...metaphorically sticking up the proverbial two fingers.''In May 1943 Len would be test flying the exact same type of fighter he fought for his life against after its Luftwaffe pilot Heinz Erhardt mistakenly landed one at RAF Marston, handing them an almost completely intact aircraft to play with!Len left us in 2008.Originally Published 2013 with assistance from his son in law and others in the Family, this is the Digital 2013 Release of the book. The 20-year-old Len Thorne Joined The Raf In May 1940. After Two Hectic Tours Of Operational Duty As A Fighter Pilot (including Some Desperately Dangerous Low-level Flying At Dunkirk) He Was Posted To Afdu (air Fighting Development Unit) And Remained There As A Test Pilot For The Rest Of The War. He Flew Both Allied Aircraft And Captured Enemy Planes And Was A Colleague Of Many Of The Fighter ‘aces’. Fortunately For Us, Len Kept An Insightful Diary, Which, Set Alongside His Log Book, Tells The Unique Story Of A Member Of The Afdu, Tasked With Developing Operational Tactics And Testing Captured Enemy Aircraft.len Provides Not Only An Insight Into The Amazing Work Done By The Test Pilots But Also Into Some Of The Most Famous Flyers Of The Raf, With Whom He Worked, Including Wing Commander Al Deere And Spitfire Aces Sl ‘paddy’ Finucane, Ernie Ryder, And Many Others. Len’s Diary For September 21 1942 Records The First Sighting Of The Feared Fw190: ‘the Pilot Performed A Series Of Quick Rolls...metaphorically Sticking Up The Proverbial Two Fingers.’ In May 1943 Len Would Be Test Flying The Same Type After Pilot Heinz Erhardt Mistakenly Landed One At Marston! The 20-year-old Len Thorne joined the RAF in May 1940. After two hectic tours of operational duty as a fighter pilot (including some desperately dangerous low-level flying at Dunkirk) he was posted to AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit) and remained there as a test pilot for the rest of the war. He flew both Allied aircraft and captured enemy planes and was a colleague of many of the fighter 'aces'. Fortunately for us, Len kept an insightful diary, which, set alongside his log book, tells the unique story of a member of the AFDU, tasked with developing oeprational tactics and testing captured enemy aircraft. Len provides not only an insight into the amazing work done by the test pilots but also into some of the most famous flyers of the RAF, with whom he worked, including Wing Commander Al Deere and Spitfire Aces SL 'paddy' Finucane, Ernie Ryder, and many others. Len's diary for September 21 1942 records the first sighting of the feared FW190: 'The pilot performed a series of quick rolls ... metaphorically sticking up the proverbial two fingers.' In May 1943 Len would be flying the same type after pilot Heinz Erhardt mistakenly landed one at Marston! 'I hold the greatest respect for Len for what he achieved in the RAF'. – Gordon Mitchell, son of Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell In May 1940, 20-year-old Len Thorne joined the RAF, as did many young men during the Second World War. After two hectic tours of operational duty as a fighter pilot, including some desperately dangerous low-level flying at Dunkirk, he was posted to AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit) and remained there as a test pilot for the rest of the war. Fortunately for us, Len kept a detailed diary, which, set alongside his log book, tells the unique story of a test pilot tasked with developing operational tactics and testing captured enemy aircraft, such as the feared Fw 190. During Len's career, he worked alongside some of the most famous fighter aces and his records cast light on some of the most famous flyers of the RAF, including Wing Commander Al Deere and Spitfire aces Squadron Leader 'Paddy' Finucane, Ernie Ryder and many others. A unique record of military aviation history, From Spitfire to Focke Wulf offers a window to this era of rapid and high-stakes aircraft development.