Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane victories

Finucane profile

Hi,
I was wondering where RAF Pilot obtained the profile of BM308, Finucane’s last Spitfire, shown above. Was this developed from photographs or is it just an interpretation of what it may have looked like?
Thanks

This “concern” is also expressed by Al Deere in “Nine Lives”.

Having looked at his claims on 9 August 1941 I am fairly certain that Finucane was involved with Truscott in a friendly fire episode against Spitfires of his own Squadron, resulting in the deaths of two of his pilots and the capture of a third. It is difficult to draw any other conclusion. This during Circus 68 which was a friendly fire debacle in my view.

Andy Saunders

There was a certain amount of suspicion by others at Kenley and indeed throughout No. 11 Group regarding claims made by Finucane during his time leading No. 452 Squadron. Other squadrons flying with the Australians in the same wing would see little or no enemy aircraft during a sweep but when they landed would discover that many claims of destroyed aircraft were lodged by the Aussies of 452 Sqn and their CO.

This is mentioned in The Road To Biggin Hill by Vincent Orange, a biography of Johnny Checketts. I was also told about this by Edward ‘Bill’ Wells who was leading No. 485 Squadron at the time. When Wells tried to get something done about it the Kenley CO took Finucane’s side, as I believe they were good mates. I’d be interested to see all his kills matched with evidence of aircraft actually being shot down on the days he claimed.

Finucane Victories

Hello Firebird,
Hope you are doing well.

Your answer is correct, I read in Osprey Book Spitfire Mk I/II Aces that Finucane had claimed 4 aircraft destroyed, 1 shared destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 1 damaged up to 1 March (Spitfire Mk I/IIs 65 Squadron).

I read in another sources that Finucane final victory tally is 32 destroyed.

Does anyone knows the date, aircraft, serial number and code letter of the spitfires who used to claimed his victories?

Thanks in advance
Best Regards

Spitfire Mk I R6818 YT-? No 65 Squadron
Spitfire Mk Vb AB852 UD-W No 452 Spitfire
Spitfire Mk Vb BM308 BF No 154 Squadron

Those Aug 1940 claims you mention have long been included in Finucane’s total score, which as far I know isn’t 32 confirmed at all.

26 confirmed and 6 shared destroyed plus 8 probable, 1 shared probable and a further 8 damaged is I believe still his offical score.