During the war my father, who died a couple of years ago, worked for the Air Fighting Development Unit at Duxford and Wittering. Just the other day I came across his log book and I thought some folks might be interested in the contents. I’ve scanned a couple of pages at random. There are some interesting airplane types here. Any comments or photos on the rarer ones would be welcome, or, indeed, any comments at all on the contents of the pages.
I’ve also scanned a photo of a Mustang which was loose in the book. I have a recollection from way back of being told that it was specially modified to accomodate a one armed pilot whose name escapes me. Apocryphal perhaps..unless someone knows otherwise.
By: Thunderbird167 - 5th August 2008 at 19:33
Here is the phoenix
http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/html%20pages/HESTON%20PHOENIX.htm
I will search out my Blackadder scans but unfortunately it will not be until after my holidays i.e after 14th August
By: lindoug - 5th August 2008 at 18:22
Good idea. I’ll scan some more pages and upload in the next few days. Only one german type I can see and that’s the ME 110 in the page above. Some interesting names though, including MacLachlans
Has anybody a photo of the Phoenix 1? Weren’t there only a couple made?
By: Thunderbird167 - 5th August 2008 at 17:33
Very interesting I have also scanned the log book of Wing Commander Blackadder who was the CO of the AFDU at Wittering.
This also has some interesting types, including various German aircraft.
It would be interesting to cross reference the two logs
By: SteveB - 5th August 2008 at 17:09
AFDU
A very nice photo of the Mustang IA. The AFDU ORB records MacLachlan’s aircraft as FD442. He and Page claimed the six German training aircraft on 29/6/43. They flew together again on 18/7/43. MacLachlan was flying FD442and after they crossed into France his engine began emitting black smoke and he was forced to crashland sliding across a field into a wood. Neither pilot had been aware of groundfire.
Steve
By: ColFord - 5th August 2008 at 09:22
Thanks for posting. The one armed pilot would be Sqdn Ldr J A F MacLachlan DSO DFC 2 Bars, who flew a specially modified N.A. Mustang on a couple of long range low level sorties over France, one in company with Geoffrey Page DSO OBE DFC and Bar on which six German aircraft were shot down. The Mustang is an Allison engined N.A. Mustang Mk.1A and it is interesting that it is one of the few examples of the type I have seen in RAF service with the recoil springs of the 20mm cannon exposed.
Regards,
By: lindoug - 5th August 2008 at 08:45
The name sounds familiar. If only I’d jotted a few things down when I had the chance!
By: John Aeroclub - 5th August 2008 at 08:25
Facinating range of types especially the Phoenix. Am I right in thinking there was a one armed pilot , a S/L Maclachlan, or similar name.?
John
By: Lee Howard - 5th August 2008 at 07:45
What a real shame – not a serial number in sight!:(
Sign In
August 5, 2008 at 7:32 am