ATA

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Prevented from joining the Royal Air Force by poor eyesight, Peter Mursell joined ATA in May 1940 with 400 hours flying, mainly in light aircraft. Within weeks he was flying Lysanders, Masters and Battles. On 13 June he ferried his first Hurricane. On the same day he ferried Battle L5363 from Andover to Chateaudun in Northern France, from where he brought Hurricane P3515 back to the UK.

In the spring of 1941 he became C.O. of the ATA ferry pool at Ratcliffe where, with the advent of German bombing, the task of clearing the nearby Spitfire factory at Castle Bromwich had assumed high priority.

Early in 1943 Peter Mursell was posted to ATA Headquarters at White Waltham and appointed Director of Training. Under his guidance the ATA school expanded until by 1944 it comprised some 80 aircraft types varying from Tiger Moths and Miles Magiester in the EFTS to Wellingtons and Hudsons for advanced twin engine training. Already, in 1943, a four engine training school had been formed in conjunction with No. 41 Group Maintenance Command at Pocklington, moving later to Marston Moor.

While Director of Training, Peter Mursell continued to help out ferrying whenever the opportunity arose. During the course of his duties he made a point of flying every available aircraft type, including the Gloster Meteor. One of his last tasks was to partake in discussions concerning the possibility of ATA ferrying helicopters. In the end this never materialised.