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Bader's London Flypast

Does anyone know the other pilots that joined Douglas Bader in the Flypast that took place over London September 15th 1945, I think that was the date.

All Battle Of Britain pilots in his formation on the day, or at least thats what the movie Reach For The Sky leads you to believe

Mart

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By: ascoteer - 31st March 2025 at 15:07

Interestingly, according to Bob Stanford Tuck’s logbook, the flypast took place on 26 October 1945. He flew in a Spitfire XIV.

There’s Pathe newreel footage of the flypast towards the end of this You Tube clip called “The Few – 20 years later”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCXCzof3nY8&feature=PlayList&p=C92A10A1CD7640EC&index=8

From a photo in Billy Drake’s book the pilots included: Drake, Carey, JM Thompson, Stanford Tuck, Ellis, Vigors, Crowley Milling, Bader, Lofts, Wells, Brothers and Bush.

Hope that helps a bit
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By: gedburke3 - 31st March 2025 at 15:07

Flypast 15th September 1945

Hi Mart,
I know that these took part in the flypast led by Bader:-
Carey, Thompson, Tuck, Ellis, Vigors, Crowley-Milling, Bader, Lofts, Drake, Brothers and Johnnie Kent.
Hope this helps
Gerry

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By: Auster Fan - 31st March 2025 at 15:07

Pretty sure that Bob Stanford-Tuck, Brian Kingcome and possibly Johnny Kent were present. Don’t know about others.

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By: spade grip - 31st March 2025 at 15:06

Bader, Frank Carey, J.M.Thomson, Bob Tuck, John Ellis, Tim Vigors, Denis Crowley-Milling, Keith Lofts, ‘Hawkeye’ Wells, Peter Brothers, Roy Bush, Billy Drake and Johnny Kent

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By: Dave Homewood - 31st March 2025 at 15:06

That is a heck of a collection of pilots. Nice to see Bill Wells in there, he was from here in Cambridge, NZ. Are there any photos of the pilots on the ground together before or after the flight?

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By: Mark V - 31st March 2025 at 15:05

That is a heck of a collection of pilots. Nice to see Bill Wells in there, he was from here in Cambridge, NZ. Are there any photos of the pilots on the ground together before or after the flight?

I have seen a few in various books Dave, taken at North Weald I recall, will see if I can find one (although someone else will no doubt be quicker than me)!

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By: Dave Homewood - 31st March 2025 at 14:58

Thanks for that.

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By: Smith - 31st March 2025 at 14:58

What date?

Dave, I have this image in my PC … no idea where I got it from.

Photo of Bader and a number of other aircraft lined up, allegedly on Sep 15, 1945. Note coding on Bader’s aircraft. Some of the onlookers may be pilots mentioned above?

cheers D

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By: gedburke3 - 31st March 2025 at 14:58

There are a couple of decent pictures in Tim Vigors book “Lifes too short to cry”.
I’m not sure where I stand regarding copyright so therefore have not reproduced them here.
Gerry

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By: CanberraA84-232 - 31st March 2025 at 14:56

wasnt Gp Capt Turner who served with Bader at 242 part of it?

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