Battle of Britain pilots in First of the Few

That’s the one. The attitude of the Spitfire in the background is similar to the one seen in “distress” in the film (played by the “crashed” example in the foreground) which makes me wonder if there wasn’t two units shooting that scene at the same time.

Daz

This is the photo you mentioned. It came from Bunny Currant who was flying the Spit in the background

Peter

That shot is just after the “crash landing” sequence – he’s pulled out of the cockpit by David Niven. The actual aircraft used is a presentation Spitfire “Borough of …….?” and had been damaged before filming. It was placed on sandbags and explosive charges set off to throw earth up in the air – unfortunately they left the canopy open and filled the cockpit with all sorts … which the repair crew were not happy about!

P8789 Borough of Wanstead and Woodford, apparently.

(from Spitfire Mks I-V by Peter Caygill, complete with a photo of the Spit with the charge boing off behind it.)

Hi,
The airman on the right in photo 4 is 100% definately Frank Howell who flew with 609 in the Battle. He was tragically killed post war after being hit on the head by a wingtip of an aircraft he was filming landing.
Gerry

That shot is just after the “crash landing” sequence – he’s pulled out of the cockpit by David Niven. The actual aircraft used is a presentation Spitfire “Borough of …….?” and had been damaged before filming. It was placed on sandbags and explosive charges set off to throw earth up in the air – unfortunately they left the canopy open and filled the cockpit with all sorts … which the repair crew were not happy about!

Airman on the right of photo 4

Hi,
The airman on the right in photo 4 is 100% definately Frank Howell who flew with 609 in the Battle. He was tragically killed post war after being hit on the head by a wingtip of an aircraft he was filming landing.
Gerry

Picture #2 on the RHS with the blonde curly hair – is that Allan Wright of 92Sqn fame???

I would say you are quite right there. On a TV interview c late 90s, Tony Bartley said he asked his friends over (making of the film) for a bit showing off.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Pic 4.

I think the chap on the right in photo No.4 is ‘Stapme’ Stapleton…but I’m not 100% sure.

Photo No.1 has F/L Peter Howard-Williams on the right. I think the other pilot might be F/L J.C. Robson (both of 118 Sqn).

Bunny Currant is in the centre of photo No.2 and the pilot he is facing looks rather like Sgt Stan Jones DFM (again both from 118). Currant is also on the right of photo No.3.

The pilot on the right of photo No.5 is possibly F/L T.W. ‘Jock’ Gillen.

Peter

The one on the end (Righthand Side) is P/O T.W.Gillen with 152 Squadron in 1939, just thought it might help to identify the Pilot in photo 5.

Cheers
Rob…

Picture #2 on the RHS with the blonde curly hair – is that Allan Wright of 92Sqn fame???

Many thanks for your responses.
The still photographs are great.
I thought that it had been filmed at Kenley when I saw the flight sequences but you are absolutely spot on with Ibsley.
Many tahnks once again
Gerry

Photo No.1 has F/L Peter Howard-Williams on the right. I think the other pilot might be F/L J.C. Robson (both of 118 Sqn).

Bunny Currant is in the centre of photo No.2 and the pilot he is facing looks rather like Sgt Stan Jones DFM (again both from 118). Currant is also on the right of photo No.3.

The pilot on the right of photo No.5 is possibly F/L T.W. ‘Jock’ Gillen.

Peter

Stills from “The First of the Few”

I don’t know if these will help in identification? The squadron flying sequences were all shot at Ibsley.

and I think that this “prototype roll-out” may be at High Post, can anyone i/d the actual aircraft? It was painted as “K5054” which showed remarkable attention to detail considering the pressure the film-makers must have been working under.