| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR05108 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | Extent: 9 cm; Wallet/s: 4 |
| Object type | Log book |
| Maker |
Espie, Jack Darby |
| Date made | 1942-1972 |
| Access | Open |
| Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. | AWM371 96/0510 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Espie, Jack Darby (Group Captain, b. 1924 - d. 2015)
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War and Vietnam War service of Group Captain Jack Darby Espie, 1942 - 1974.
Collection consists of four original flying log books dating from 1942 to 1972 detailing Espie’s training and flying hours.
Wallet 1 of 4 - Log book dating from 12 December 1942 to 24 October 1952 covering Espie’s training and Second World War service with the RAF. Espie completed training at 11 Elementary Flying Training School, in Benalla, Victoria, flying Tiger Moths, No 6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala, South Australia, flying Avro Anson, and No 11 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit, Shawbury, England with the Royal Air Force, flying Airspeed Oxford. Espie was stationed at No 20 Operational Training Unit, Lossiemouth flying Wellington aircraft, later converting to Halifax aircraft which he flew at No 76 Squadron RAF, Holme on Spalding Moor York and Halifax Development Flight RAF station Merryfield, Somerset. In 1946, Espie was posted to No 21 Squadron RAAF in Tocumwal, New South Wales and later to the School of Air Navigation in East Sale, Victoria where he flew Avro Anson, Lincoln, and Dakota. Espie then completed test pilot training at the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU), RAAF Base Laverton, flying Lincoln, Wirraway, Mustang, Mosquito Mk 43 and Mk 41, and Vampire Mk 30 aircraft. Subsequent postings included ARDU RAAF station Laverton and School of Air Navigation in East Sale, Victoria.
Wallet 2 of 4 - Log Book dating from 1 April 1953 to 13 July 1963. This log book continues on from log book 1 at ARDU Trial Flight, and includes postings to RAAF College, RAAF Base Edinburgh, RAF Staff College and Base Squadron Williamstown. Aircraft flown include Sycamore, Lincoln, Jindivik, Canberra, Auster, Meteor, Washington, Winjeel, and Beaufighter and Iroquois.
Wallet 3 of 4 - Log Book dating from 7 December 1965 to 30 September 1971 which covers Espie’s service during the Vietnam War. Postings include Detachment A in Port Moresby and No 35 Squadron Australian Force Vietnam, flying Caribou.
Wallet 4 of 4 - Log Book dating from 19 October 1971 to 5 May 1972. This log book continues on from log book 3 where he is posted at Laverton. The final entry is May 1972 when he was undertaking training at Headquarters Support Command.