Hawker Demon. 1934 October crash at Westfield,

Andy

No ‘obvious’ incident in K-File from Air Britain, so probably repaired and back in service

So unless the local newspaper has a photo we are probably no nearer finding it, unless Alan Francis ‘Bush’ Bandidt’s log book survived with his son Christopher or daughter Carolyn -according to births/deaths section of Times

google ‘Bandidt’ and ‘Goomeri’ (where he was from in Australia ) and you may find a relative in Australia with contact telephone and email (if you are lucky!) 😉

BTW he flew Gemini G-AILK to Australia in 1946/47

Paul

Paul

Thanks for that helpful information. The name of the pilot was as extracted from a local newspaper report of the period so is as accurate as the reporter responsible!! However, it seems he signed a broken piece of propellor which may still be in the village and so that yet may throw up an accurate name. At least we have a date, so thats a start.

Again, many thanks.

His full name was Alan Francis ‘Bush’ Bandidt (34209)

Post war he flew Miles Sparrowhawk G-AGDL in the 1947 Manx Air Race and was the first person to fly solo to Australia after WW2 in a Miles Gemini (believed to be G-AIDO) – he was working with Miles at Reading as Sales Manager (that’s why he got his hands on Sparrowhawk and Gemini)

He died May 24th 1969 at Chertsey and was born March 21st 1912 Queensland

In a file I have an un-identified 23 Sqn Accident at Westfield, Sussex on 27th September 1934. Well at least we have a date

I would try to ask this question on www.rafcommands.com
Are you sure of the pilots name. I cannot find a Banditt in London Gazette

I have found a Group Captain A.F. Bandit as a post war racing pilot. He was an Australian serving in the RAF

No jokes please about ‘Bandit’ being an excellent name for an Australian1