Hi, I’m trying to find out the details of this MK 8, I know the Pilot he is W/O John W.Vickers who sadly past away on the 15.05.04, So I never got to ask him. I’ve seen a lot of pictures of 152 Squadron planes but never one with a maple leaf in the middle of the roundal, so this is where you clever lot come in so please dont let me down. (Any Ideas) ?
Many Thanks
By: black-panther - 30th January 2005 at 07:06
Have a look at the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (cahs) – there’s a website – (www.cahf.ca) you’d have to join, but that’s number one resource (offline) in Canada. Otherwise try the Canadian Aviation Museum. (www.aviation.technomuses.ca)
There’s a lot of Canadians over on WIX. (http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/)
Anyone else care to help?
Cheers
Hi James thanks for the links 🙂
Cheers Rob…
By: JDK - 30th January 2005 at 01:35
Have a look at the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (cahs) – there’s a website – (www.cahf.ca) you’d have to join, but that’s number one resource (offline) in Canada. Otherwise try the Canadian Aviation Museum. (www.aviation.technomuses.ca)
There’s a lot of Canadians over on WIX. (http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/)
Anyone else care to help?
Cheers
By: black-panther - 29th January 2005 at 13:45
🙁
By: black-panther - 23rd November 2004 at 10:36
Hi To All, I’m not having much luck with my research any idea’s ? I’ve checked the Squadron records with no joy. Is there anyone in Canada who can Help ?
Cheers
Rob…..
By: Der - 11th November 2004 at 21:03
That panther on the side looks pretty neat!
By: skypilot62 - 11th November 2004 at 17:35
Just found this reference in the Gazette:
“Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Appointments to commision. As Plt. Offs. on prob. (emergency):
Wt.Offs.
1271729 John Willoughby Vickers (190554)”
6 March 1945
I would imagine that is “your” man in the cockpit. I’ll check the service number and see what it tells us.
I see our posts have crossed – it was just a way of seeing whether the Maple Leaf was “his” or belonged to another.
Dean
By: black-panther - 11th November 2004 at 17:27
Hi Dean, I know the Pilots name W/O John W. Vickers he was British. Its information about the spit I’m after and the (Maple Leaf in the Roundal)
Cheers
Rob…
By: skypilot62 - 11th November 2004 at 17:13
If you have the service number I can do a check for you which may give some clues, approx service dates etc. Also, try his surname in the London Gazette archive on line:
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveSearch.asp?WebType=0
The search isn’t the easiest to use but just try the surname initially. Of course, if he is Canadian, his promotions may not show up.
Happy hunting.
Dean
By: black-panther - 11th November 2004 at 16:35
Thanks Chaps
Hi to all, Mark12 I’ve checked ORB’s with no luck, Alex thanks for that link I will try there.
Cheers Chaps
Rob (Faithful Ally)
www.152hyderabad.co.uk
By: Alex Crawford - 11th November 2004 at 15:36
Hi Rob,
Try posting the question on the RAF Commands web site
http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi
There are a couple of guys who specialise in Canadian pilots an may be able to help you with further details.
Alex
By: JDK - 11th November 2004 at 15:36
I’m far from expert, but… At least some (possibly all?) Canadian pilots who were in the RCAF but attached to RAF units had a notably different service number. Sqn ORBs do also sometimes pick up on RAAF, RCAF and RNZAF etc when posted in or out, but not always.
By: Mark12 - 11th November 2004 at 15:31
My guess would be that this was the personal aircraft of a flight commander, the CO or at the very least a well established pilot within the squadron.
I would suggest that he is Canadian.
152 Squadron operated Mk VIII’s for over two years in India and Burma. A big job but my starting point would a look at the operations books to see if there are any references to pilots of Canadian origin.
I wonder if there are any clues with ‘Service numbers’ to indicate Canadian pilots.
A very interesting photograph.
Mark
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November 11, 2004 at 11:20 am