Letters of James Stuart Leslie Ross, 1916-1917 - Part 9

73^rd Squadron,
ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
TURNHOUSE,
MIDLOTHIAN.
Sunday, 23^rd Septr '17.
Dear Mum,
Just a hurried
note before I go to
bed. Did my first solo
on avro's tonight so
thought I'd let you know.
Did quite alright too.
Went up to 4500 feet
& came down from there
& landed without touching
the engine which is
pretty good for a beginner.
They are far superior
 

2
to the machines I was
flying at Waddington.
Are very sensitive on
account of their being
preparatory machines to
Scouts. I felt absolutely
at home on it. Flew out
over the Forth & Edinburgh.
Has been blowing hard
here lately. Provided we
get good weather, I expect
to finish the 20 hours
in about a fortnight &
will then go to Scouts 
I expect. 
Must go to bed early
tonight. Last night I
went in to town & missed
the car home by 5 minutes.
 

3
That meant walking the 6 miles - I arrived
home at about 1.30 am & was called at 5
so methinks I'll retire early this eve.
Am on again early tomorrow morn.
Can't think of anything fresh just
now, as I think I've told you all
before. Love to Dad, Bob & self
from
Les.
The Cash hasn't turned up yet - surely
it cant be much longer.
 

73^rd Squadron,
ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
TURNHOUSE,
MIDLOTHIAN.
Scotland
26.9.17.
Dear Mum,
Here I
am again. Thought I'd
send the two enclosed
photos. they're the two
types I've flown so
far. Photos of aeroplanes
are not really supposed
to be sent by post, but
as these types are not
used in France nowadays
I cant see that it
matters. If you were
 

2
here I could show them
to you so where's the
difference.
The Maurice Farman
is the old chap I
qualified on at Waddington.
I'm on the Avro at
present. Its very
sensitive but is a
good machine to fly,
altho' the engine's not
too reliable. That
doesn't matter as one
can "glide" or "plane"
down without it.
The Snap was taken
at Carlton - the boy
in it is one of the
old Wireless Heads.
 

3
Haven't got any snaps of myself
lately but will get some.
Will possibly fly out to the
Whitburn's place one of these
days. They're only abt 15 miles
away - could do it in a quarter
hr easily. Would certainly do it if
we had better engines. If I had
a forced landing out there they
might wonder why I went so far.
All the same it ought to be manageable.
Another difficulty would be starting up
after a landing. It takes the assistance
of about 3 mechanics usually.
In the Avro snap you will notice
the "hangars", the wind indicator
(a Canvas bag). One always has to
start & land head into the wind.
Am up again early in the morn
so must go.
Much love from
Yours hurriedly
Les.
 

73^rd Sqdn,
ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
TURNHOUSE,
MIDLOTHIAN.
Sunday 28.10.17.
My Dear Mum,
'Tis over
a week since I wrote,
but much has happened
and I know you'll forgive
me.
Last Friday week I
took an Avro up to
Montrose and back
(about 80-90 miles each way)
on my Cross-Country
flight. We are supposed
to do 20 hours on Avros
but when I'd done 18
 

2
they decided that I was
good enough for Scouts.
So last Saty week I
flew a Sopwith Scout
or "Pup" as it is called.
I generally refer to it as
the Small dog. I graduated
on that flight, so my
Commission will date from
then - it was my birthday
too, by the way.
Have been on the Pup
ever since - can loop
& spin it etc. They're
nice little machines,
climb like the devil &
can do over 90 miles an
hr on the level.
Tomorrow, I am to have
the honor, with 2 other
Australians, of delivering 3
 

3
of them to Montrose & will return by
train. it will be a nice trip. They're
new machines - just been put together
at the Wing "Aeroplane Repair Section" here.
Have had some wintry weather lately -
It snowed nearly all day on Friday.
We often get snow up about 4000 ft
or so, but its rain by the time
it gets to the earth.
'Twas funny the day I went to Linlithgow 
and "stunted' for the benefits of Madge's
people. 'Twas the luncheon hour & I
created quite a stir. Some people said 
it was a clever French Aviator from 
here.
Kathleen is a present on holidays so
took her to the pictures etc. last
night. Went up to the Hospital &
saw Nan for the first time. She 
appears to be pretty full of the 
nursing. Did you know that she
has recd The Red Cross Decoration
at the hands of the Kink?
It's her half day off on Wed. so
am taking her out.
 

4.
ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
TURNHOUSE,
MIDLOTHIAN.
I may be going to London
any day now. Will have
to go to Hqrs for
my Commission, will 
also get or 3 or 4 days
graduation leave as
well. I will be alright
for Cash, henceforth
I think so take anything
you like of my allotment.
Now don't hesitate, 
Mum, I don't mind a 
scrap.
There's another thing
I keep forgetting to tell