During WW2 he had total control of a 400 mph fighter and eight machine guns, with no radar, no autopilot and no electronics. At the touch of a button he could unleash 13 lbs of shot in 3 seconds. He had a total of 14 seconds of ammunition. He needed to be less than 250 yards from the enemy to be effective. He and his foe could manoeuvre in three dimensions at varying speeds and with an infinite number of angles relative to each other.  His job was to solve the sighting equation without becoming a target himself. His aircraft carried 90 gallons of fuel between his chest and the engine. He often flew over 35,000 feet with no cockpit heating or pressurisation.  He endured up to six times the force of gravity with no 'g' suit.  He had no crash helmet or protective clothing other than ineffective flying boots and gloves. He had about three seconds to identify his enemy, and slightly longer to abandon his aircraft if hit.  He had no ejector seat. He was also a navigator, radio operator, photographer, air-to-ground attacker, rocketeer and dive-bomber. Often, as in my case, he was only nineteen years old.  He was considered too young and too irresponsible to vote, but not to young to die. His pay was the modern equivalent of 60p per day in 1940. Should he be stupid enough to be shot down and taken prisoner, a third of that sum  was deducted at source by a grateful government and never returned. However, every hour of every day was an unforgettable and marvellous experience shared with some of the finest characters who ever lived.