When it came to instrument flying training, unless there was enough cloud about at the time, we used what was called 'two stage amber'. When using this the aircraft windows were covered with removable amber shields through which the instructor could see. I, as student, wore blue tinted goggles. The combination of colours was such that I could not see out through the amber but I could clearly see the flying instruments. All was comparatively easy until I was being taught recovery from unusual attitudes. To make things difficult the instructor would take control and perform a manoeuvre to topple the instrument gyros which meant that they were wholly unusable until they self-corrected after maybe 15 minutes. This done, control would be handed back to me and I had to bring the aircraft into straight and level flight as soon as possible on those remaining. Easily said, but when my body was telling me that I was flying on my left ear when the instruments were telling me something else I had very quickly to learn to ignore my own feelings and, instead,

Oxford instrument panel.

implicitly trust the instrumentation. We were also taught how to make R/T controlled descents back to base through cloud.7 The final IF test would involve flying a strict and timed pattern of climbs, climbing and steep descending turns, and some level flight.8 The pattern had to be properly and competently flown before gaining a White Card Instrument Rating.9 Throughout my flying career I, as did all pilots, had to take similar 'Standardisation' tests on an annual basis.
One such instrument training flight involved an unscheduled cross-country flight with Ken Knott to RAF Cranfield with no greater purpose than to deliver a pair of a Senior Air Staff Officer's pyjamas! Said Senior Officer had been visiting Wellesbourne Mountford and had failed to take them back with him after an overnight stay. This return flight lasted an hour. It involved 30 minutes of simulated IF navigation. It was a very useful piece of training.
Shortly after this my first serious (pre-planned) cross-country was with Windy Knight. Careful pre-flight planning was done using a Dalton Computer, maps, and
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7 Known as QGHs after the then out of date, but still lingering in use, RAF 'Q' code.
8 IF = Instrument Flying.
9 There were two standards, White Card and Green Card. Green cards were awarded according to competence and instrument hours flown. 28