AAF Form No. 5, Individual Flight Record

This file folder was Tom Cartmell’s copy of his logged flight hours. It was saved by his wife after his death, and forwarded to me by his daughter.
AAF Form 5 Folder, where all of his flying time was logged.
AAF Form 5 Folder, where all of his flying time was logged.

On the right side of the folder was a series of monthly reports of his flying time, indicating the date, number of hours, type of aircraft, his role as a pilot or co-pilot, and whether the hours were during the day or at night. I also included his cumulative flight hours.

At the time he was shot down, Tom had accumulated 219 hours of flight time as a first pilot, and 554 hours of total flight time.

On the left side of the folder were a variety of documents, including flying orders, transfer orders, several certifications as a qualified pilot and signed acknowledgements of his review of certain documents or receipt of training.

Memorandum to Cadets, Aircrew Students and Student Officers
Memorandum to Cadets, Aircrew Students and Student Officers

Folded and left loose in the folder was an exhortation from the Base Commander of the Santa Ana Army Air Base.

Flight Logs (Right Side)

Other Documents (Left Side)

 

A Young Man Went Off to War