Scottish WW2 veteran who was plucked from ground duties to become Spitfire pilot. An appreciation
BOB Glasgow, who has died aged 94, was one of the last surviving Spitfire pilots of the Second World War, having been plucked from ground duties for flight training after being talent-spotted by a senior officer.
Enlisting at 17, he was posted to flying control at RAF Dyce in Aberdeenshire, where 404 (Canadian) Squadron were using long-range Bristol Beaufighters and he felt at least close to flying operations.
One day early in his service, he asked his station commander if he could have a trip in his private Tiger Moth biplane and, as a reward for his boldness, he was taken up and given a shot at the controls.
Mr Glasgow was then allowed to accompany aircrew on flights in Bristol Beaufighter attack aircraft before his wing commander encouraged him to apply for formal flying training in 1943.
He was cleared to fly solo after just seven hours experience before being sent to the United States for final training, where he was awarded his "wings" by the British ambassador, Lord Halifax.
He drew uniform before embarking on the long voyage for the overseas training. "Recognising the tropical type kit we were given, I guessed we were heading for South Africa but as it turned out we were sent to Greenock to board a ship for the USA," he recalled.
After defying "wolf packs" of German U-boats lurking beneath the Atlantic waves, he sailed past the Statue of Liberty and saw all the lights blazing in New York, in stark contrast to the wartime black-out back home.
Frustratingly, due to an outbreak of scarlet fever, the men were not allowed ashore and were shipped to Canada instead, where they were held in quarantine for six weeks before returning to the US and Arizona, where he qualified as a pilot.
Mr Glasgow, who overcame G force long before G-suits were in use, later recalled: "I was pleased to get a good report from this training and particularly loved aerobatics. The Arizona countryside was beautiful and we even flew over the Grand Canyon at times."
However, coming from a working class background and lacking wealth, Mr Glasgow was made a sergeant pilot rather than being commissioned as a pilot officer.
He reflected ironically: "The main thrust of the interview was my financial status and as I did not have, or have behind me, the required financial wherewithal I was not offered a commission."
Back in the UK, Mr Glasgow was trained on the Spitfire by combat-hardened Battle of Britain veterans and was about to be sent to the Far East to fight the Japanese before the war ended in 1945.
Mr Glasgow, of Dunbar, East Lothian, came from a coal mining family and was educated at Preston Lodge secondary school in Prestonpans. He recalled the welcome parcels of goodies sent out to him from his alma mater throughout his RAF service.
After the war, he worked for the Ministry of National Insurance and later as a buyer for Blue Circle Cement.
As a reservist, he was put on standby for converting to the Venom jet fighter during the Suez crisis in 1956.
Mr Glasgow is survived by his son, also Bob, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife Dorothy died in 2013 and a daughter Pamela died in the 1980s.
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