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[[circled]] 54. [[/circled]]

December 1st 1917.
[[line]]

Leiutenant Smith, for some days now our Flying officer, finally [[underline]] did [[/underline]] show up on the 'drome yesterday. My mind was unrested because I'd only had 55 minutes in the air this whole week, due to bad weather, too many fellows for the number of planes, or the non appearance of instructors, and my desire for action began to clamor in an ungodly manner. I saluted and asked, "I'm due for solo work, Sir, and it's very good weather... and I'd like to go now!" "Have you ever been up in the rear seat?" "Yes, Sir. With Major Bourne, Captain Campbell and Cadets Ellis ^[[and Schirra]]. Very well, you may go before the afternoon is over". "Fine", I answered - just like that. 

True enough I [[underline]] had [[/underline]] been up in the rear seat, but not lately, and it's very different to run the [[strikethrough]] boat [[/strikethrough]] ^[[bus]] from behind than ^[[forward]] between the wings. Instructors are wary about riding before a novice anyway, and you can't blame 'em. Men have been known to "freeze" on the controls and it's better for an instructor to have a man do this in front