The Fleet Air Arm’s Telegraphist Air Gunners Saunders and Wood are fictional characters; however, their tales of adventure are factual, shared at annual reunions of Telegraphist Air Gunners in the post-war years. For the Birds! “Some of these pilots are really for the birds!” Wood exclaimed, shaking his head. “I was out yesterday somewhere over Pubnico when my pilot decided to try some aerobatics. We were above the clouds, and into a loop we go, and then it happened, my strap broke!” Saunders raised an eyebrow. “You what? You left the plane?” Wood grinned, his youthful enthusiasm undiminished. “Yes! I actually left the plane mid-loop, did a trapeze act in the sky. And when the pilot came out of the loop, I re-entered the rear cockpit. A little scared, mind you, but I told him I had done up my harness and to carry on!” Saunders chuckled. “You’re lucky, Wood! Remember last week’s crash near Weymouth? The pilot was flying low over the trees. I guess he clipped the top of a tall one and landed in the woods. Broke his ankle, poor chap. But the TAG didn’t even know they were crashing. Didn’t get hurt, but the plane was a total write-off.” Wood’s eyes widened. “Incredible! After this place, maybe a carrier in the Fleet Air Arm will be safer!” Saunders leaned closer, his voice low. “I don’t know, Wood. Landing on a pitching deck doesn’t excite me either!” And so, Saunders and Wood continued to share their tales of adventures at East Camp RCAF Station Yarmouth.