Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An original and complete set of R.A.F. flying log books (6) appertaining to Flight Lieutenant N. J. Galpin, Royal Air Force, the first of them covering the period April 1952 to December 1955, with a number of pasted-down photographs from the period of his pilot training in the U.S.A. 1952-53, the second the period January 1955 to September 1958, with several inserted photographs of aircraft flown, and an endorsement from Air Vice-Marshal S. R. Ubee, A.O.C., No. 2 Group, dated 24 August 1956 (see footnotes), the third the period October 1958 to May 1961, the fourth the period May 1961 to October 1962, the fifth the period November 1962 to January 1969, with high altitude decompression chamber test results for 56,000 and 60,000 feet (30 seconds - ‘Pass’ and ‘Satisfactory’), and the sixth March 1969 to December 1970, but, in support of the contention ‘old habits die hard’, with a post R.A.F. career entry for a flight in a Micro in October 1984, one or two with water damage / damp staining to cover, but contents good throughout (Lot) £200-250

Nicholas J. Galpin commenced his pilot training at No. 3 F.T.S. in April 1952, next attended the 3302nd Training Squadron in Texas, U.S.A., and was awarded his R.A.F. (and U.S.A.F.) “Wings” at a ceremony held at James Connally Air Force Base, Waco on 16 June 1953, in which month he was also commissioned as a Pilot Officer. At the end of the year he joined No. 20 Squadron, 124 Wing, based in Oldenburg, Germany, in which capacity he served until November 1956, flying Sabres, Vampires and Hunters, a period that regularly found him being assessed as ‘above average’ as a fighter pilot and being advanced to Flying Officer in January 1954. And as verified by the following endorsement from Air Vice-Marshal S. R. Ubee, A.O.C., No. 2 Group, dated 24 August 1956, his ‘above average’ assessment was a well-merited one:

‘On 20 July 1956, Flying Officer Galpin was engaged in air firing exercises in a Hunter Mk. IV at 20,000 feet. On breaking off an attack his aircraft flicked into a downward spiral from which it took some 4,000 feet to recover. After a stall check Flying Officer Galpin realised that although the left aileron answered to the controls the right aileron did not. As a result the aircraft tended to drop its right wing and was excessively heavy laterally. In spite of this condition, which would be regarded as a valid reason for ejection, Flying Officer Galpin made a completely successful landing at his base using a suitably adjusted high approach and landing speed. As a result of his cool appraisal of the situation and skilful efforts it was possible to discover and rectify the fault. This proved to be a structural failure due to a weakness in the aileron control system - undoubtedly a potential cause of fatal accidents. In his handling of this incident, Flying Officer Galpin showed a degree of airmanship and sense of responsibility of a high order and is a most worthy recipient of this endorsement.’

Galpin next attended a flying instructors’ course at the Central Flying School, graduating in June 1957 (after also having gained membership of the ‘Mach 1.0 Club’ in a Hunter Mk. 4), and flew in that capacity in jets at R.A.F. Cranwell until 1960, gaining further advancement to Flight Lieutenant. At the end of the latter year he joined the training establishment at R.A.F. St. Athan, on this occasion reverting to the somewhat more sedate world of Chipmunks for his chosen means of transport, but in his subsequent postings to R.A.F. Manby and Middelton St. George, and No. 56 Squadron at Wattisham in the early to mid 1960s, he flew Meteors and Lightings. His final flying appointment, at No. 226 O.C.U. at R.A.F. Coltishall 1965-70, witnessed him accumulating many more hours in Lightnings, and he is believed to have been awarded the Queen’s Commendation in the latter year.