Hi I was wondering if anyone had information on Peter Townes aka “The Orillia Kid”, all I know is that he was a spit pilot in the RCAF. In particular I am looking for details on one of the spitfires flown by him that apparently still exists.
Any information would be appreciated.
Cheers
J
By: beurling - 7th January 2009 at 23:32
Yes I think you are right I was talking to his wife and he did have a personal aircraft that was not TB752 that she recalls. If she can find his log books we are going to have a look through and see if we can find anything. I am intrigued to see if his plane is still flying.
By: *Zwitter* - 7th January 2009 at 20:16
The is a photo of Fred Town in the TB752 book standing on the wing of a Mk IX/XVI Spitfire. No serial or codes visible.
“The ‘Orillia’ Kid” is painted on the top tank cover.
This aircraft is not thought to be TB752.
Mark
Comparing period photos supports this view, the Spitfire picture you refer to has a light coloured spinner, TB752 has a red/white/blue striped spinner. Re-reading the book suggests that Town flew TB752 only occasionally, as he had a ‘personal’ Spitfire marked “The Orillia Kid”.
By: Mark12 - 7th January 2009 at 14:08
The is a photo of Fred Town in the TB752 book standing on the wing of a Mk IX/XVI Spitfire. No serial or codes visible.
“The ‘Orillia’ Kid” is painted on the top tank cover.
This aircraft is not thought to be TB752.
Mark
ps. This is not the image I was thinking off. I still leaning toward an RAAF Spitfire.
By: beurling - 7th January 2009 at 13:45
Zwitter that is great thank you for the link. Do you know if the plane in the picture on the link is TB752?
Amazingly Orillia has quite a large number of RCAF and RAF spitfire pilots, a few are fortunately still with us.
One other I would like more info on is RAF pilot George Clegg.
Thank You
Flying Officer Frederick W Town (destroyed an He111 with TB752)
By: beurling - 7th January 2009 at 13:39
According to Freds wife (he passed a few years ago) they found his spitfire several years ago in a scrap yard or something and it has since been restored. She did not have any further info on her husbands plane other than when it was found it had “Orillia Kid” painted on it. I would like to find some more information for her on the plane and a picture would be amazing if in fact 752 is the aircraft.
Cheers
J
By: Mark12 - 7th January 2009 at 10:19
Where have I seen an aircraft marked as the ‘Orillia Kid’?
P-47? RAAF Spitfire?
Puzzled.
Mark
By: *Zwitter* - 7th January 2009 at 07:35
Flying Officer Frederick W Town (destroyed an He111 with TB752)
By: beurling - 6th January 2009 at 15:10
I am not sure but this is a starting point, I may have got the name wrong also I believe it is Fred Townes who is the pilot. Too many names to try and remember these days. Is there a database anywhere of 403sq pilots that I can search out to get any more info?
By: *Zwitter* - 6th January 2009 at 07:36
Would that be TB752 at Manston?
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January 6, 2009 at 3:00 am