Loudon, Ian Sandford (Squadron Leader, b.1921 - d.1957)

Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 404691 Squadron Leader Ian Sandford Loudon, 603 Squadron and 76 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force and 801 Squadron, Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and New Guinea, 1941-1946.

Wallet 1 of 2 – Consists of one flying log book of Squadron Leader Loudon, containing entries dated between 10 January 1941 and 9 February 1945. It covers the period of his pilot training in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, service as a Spitfire pilot with 603 Squadron, based in the United Kingdom, service as a pilot in New Guinea and Australia with 76 Squadron, and flying instruction with 2 Operational Training Unit at Mildura, Victoria. The entries record details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, crewmembers, and purposes of flights. Some of the purposes recorded include general flying training, service flying training, operational training, reconnaissance, patrols, offensive flights, convoy escorts, interception of enemy aircraft, aircraft conversion, transport of personnel, strafing enemy positions, air tests, bombing operations, air sea rescues, and flying instruction. This log book also contains certificates for courses and assessments completed, a report on an incident in January 1944 in which his aircraft was damaged and he was required to bail out, aircraft performance data, and many annotated photographs relating to his service. Some of these photographs contain graphic content. The end of the log book contains lists of pilots Loudon served with in 603 Squadron and 76 Squadron, and includes small portrait photographs for many of them.

Wallet 2 of 2 – Consists of one flying log book of Squadron Leader Louden, containing entries dated between 11 February 1945 and 28 August 1946. It covers the period of his flying instruction with 2 Operational Training Unit at Mildura, Victoria, and service as a pilot with the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve. The entries record details such as dates and times of flights, aircraft types and numbers, crewmembers, and purposes of flights. Some of the purposes recorded include strafing of enemy positions, aerobatics practice, training exercises, transport of personnel, and interception of enemy aircraft. This log book also contains numerous annotated photographs relating to Louden’s training and service in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Guinea. The photographs depict fellow servicemen, friends, aircraft, landscapes, and vehicle wreckages.

History / Summary

Ian Sandford Loudon enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 8 November 1940. He trained as a pilot in Australia and Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme, and went on to become a Spitfire pilot with 603 Squadron, based in the United Kingdom. In mid-1942, Louden transferred to 76 Squadron, and served in New Guinea and Australia as a Kittyhawk pilot and squadron leader. In February 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for displaying outstanding courage, skill, and aggressiveness against the enemy and capably leading his squadron in the same manner. Louden was later mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished service. In June 1945, he was discharged from the Royal Australian Air Force in order to accept an appointment as an officer of the Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve.