PLEAS READ THIS THREAD IF YOU CAN HELP!!!
Next year sees the 70th ann of the forming of 616(South Yorkshire)Sqn who were formed at Doncaster Airport in Nov 1938.
Although I have not as yet approached the Aeroventure committee about my idea to comemerate the event I would like to put out the feelers for a “long shot” request.
My idea is to have a short term display at Doncaster between June & Nov 2008 of a Merlin Spitfire (replica or real!!),Mk 4 & Mk 8 Meteors finished in(temporary) 1940,1944,1957 colour schemes.Aircraft to be kept in a secure hangar. 616 Sqn hold their annual reunion in June & formed Nov 1938.
ARE THERE ANY GROUPS/MUSEUMS out there who would consider loaning their a/c for such a display please?I am seriously looking for sponsorship if the project is feaseable.
I would be a wonderful gesture for surviving members of 616 on such an Historic occasion bearing in mind its unique history & famous pilots who flew with them.
this is a serious request!!!!
For those not in the know,616 sqn was the last of the pre-war Auxillary sqns to be formed.It was initially a bomber sqn flying Harts, but its role was quickly changed to a fighter unit.
After using gauntlets for a time it soon operated Spitfires seeing action during the evacuation of Dunkirk & the Battle of Britain-during that battle it played a major part in the “battle of Flamboro’ Head”. 1941 saw it become part of Douglas Bader’s Tangemere wing- a role carried on until 1944.During this period it was the 1st sqn to operate the Mk VI Spitfire finishing with the VII.
Shortly after D-Day 616 was given a great accolade & made RAF history by becoming the 1st to operate Meteors-& was the only allied unit to use jets in WW II.The sqn was disbanded at the wars end,but reformed in 1948, first with Mosquito nf 30’s & again with Meteor III’s & IV’S-finally to be disbanded in 1957 whilst operating Meteor F.8’s. .
Among its most noted pilots & contemperaries were:- J.E.”Jonnie” Johnson-highest scoring allied ace,H.L.”Cocky” Dundas,L “Buck” Casson-all who served in the Spitfire years,D.Barry & “Dixie” Dean -both noted early Meteor pilots credited with V.1 kills.
I appolgise for the extra bumph, but sadly the 616 Sqn’s members get fewer by the years-I beleive there are only 3 Spitfire pilots left.At the end of the day it is I feel it is important to honour & say thank-you to these extra-ordinary”ordinary blokes ” on thier own turf whilst the chance is there.
AeroVenture has a Meteor T7, which is currently under long term restoration & will not be ready for next year. The cost of a replica Spitfire is beyond thier budget so as I stessed earlier if those Museums/ collecters out there who own the aircraft required may be willing to help, send me a P.M. please
Thank you for taking the time to read tis thread-Radpoe Meteor.
By: Radpoe Meteor - 20th October 2007 at 19:00
PLEAS READ THIS THREAD IF YOU CAN HELP!!!
Next year sees the 70th ann of the forming of 616(South Yorkshire)Sqn who were formed at Doncaster Airport in Nov 1938.
Although I have not as yet approached the Aeroventure committee about my idea to comemerate the event I would like to put out the feelers for a “long shot” request.
My idea is to have a short term display at Doncaster between June & Nov 2008 of a Merlin Spitfire (replica or real!!),Mk 4 & Mk 8 Meteors finished in(temporary) 1940,1944,1957 colour schemes.Aircraft to be kept in a secure hangar. 616 Sqn hold their annual reunion in June & formed Nov 1938.
ARE THERE ANY GROUPS/MUSEUMS out there who would consider loaning their a/c for such a display please?I am seriously looking for sponsorship if the project is feaseable.
I would be a wonderful gesture for surviving members of 616 on such an Historic occasion bearing in mind its unique history & famous pilots who flew with them.
this is a serious request!!!!
For those not in the know,616 sqn was the last of the pre-war Auxillary sqns to be formed.It was initially a bomber sqn flying Harts, but its role was quickly changed to a fighter unit.
After using gauntlets for a time it soon operated Spitfires seeing action during the evacuation of Dunkirk & the Battle of Britain-during that battle it played a major part in the “battle of Flamboro’ Head”. 1941 saw it become part of Douglas Bader’s Tangemere wing- a role carried on until 1944.During this period it was the 1st sqn to operate the Mk VI Spitfire finishing with the VII.
Shortly after D-Day 616 was given a great accolade & made RAF history by becoming the 1st to operate Meteors-& was the only allied unit to use jets in WW II.The sqn was disbanded at the wars end,but reformed in 1948, first with Mosquito nf 30’s & again with Meteor III’s & IV’S-finally to be disbanded in 1957 whilst operating Meteor F.8’s. .
Among its most noted pilots & contemperaries were:- J.E.”Jonnie” Johnson-highest scoring allied ace,H.L.”Cocky” Dundas,L “Buck” Casson-all who served in the Spitfire years,D.Barry & “Dixie” Dean -both noted early Meteor pilots credited with V.1 kills.
I appolgise for the extra bumph, but sadly the 616 Sqn’s members get fewer by the years-I beleive there are only 3 Spitfire pilots left.At the end of the day it is I feel it is important to honour & say thank-you to these extra-ordinary”ordinary blokes ” on thier own turf whilst the chance is there.
AeroVenture has a Meteor T7, which is currently under long term restoration & will not be ready for next year. The cost of a replica Spitfire is beyond thier budget so as I stessed earlier if those Museums/ collecters out there who own the aircraft required may be willing to help, send me a P.M. please
Thank you for taking the time to read tis thread-Radpoe Meteor.
I am pushing this thread again to see if any individual or museum(s) may be in a position to help. I stress again as I appreaciate that it may sound like a phenomenal task,but all I ask is for someone to consider a short term loan of a replica Spitfire &/ Meteor F4/F8 please.If you can,please p.m. me.
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September 8, 2007 at 6:00 pm