Engineer's Flying Badge, Service Dress, 1942 Pattern of Pilot Officer James Herbert Wolton

In 1942, the aircrew position of Engineer was introduced. Their role was to monitor the engine and fuel systems while aiding the pilot in their flying duties.

To increase the number of pilots available to fly operations, the role of second pilot was abolished early in 1942. This, however, was at a time when increasingly complex, four engine aircraft were entering service. The Air or Flight Engineer carried out some of the roles previously undertaken by the second pilot but was given a greater amount of technical training without having to undergo lengthy and costly pilot training. This appears to be a private purchase example displaying the letter FE for Flight Engineer rather than the approved single letter E. It belonged to Pilot Officer James Herbert Wolton