Hello all,
William Henry Stallard (“Jock” to his RAF buddies, “Harry” to his family, “Bill” to his wife and “Dad” to me) was a LAC (Airframes) working on this kite in the mid/late 40’s (flown by Battle of Britain hero “Ginger” Lacey and others), I’d like to find out when my Dad and YB-A were in the same places (he was in India, Burma, Ceylon, Singapore and Japan); the production schedule for RN135 is 6MU 8-1-45 222; MU 5-2-45; Empire Paragon 12-2-45; India 12-4-45; 17S Japan 28-9-46; SOC 24-3-48, so I’m looking at India and post war Japan operations.
I think he was with 7132SE but I’m still waiting on info from the RAF about his service record to confirm all his postings.
Anyone know how I can find out more specific info for the YB-A bird? Operational logs, maintenance logs – anything! Photos of course!
I know it’s a long shot but I have to ask.
Thanks for your help
Jim Stallard
By: D1566 - 24th March 2014 at 18:28
Photos of course!
Plenty of photos if you google ‘Spitfire RN135’
By: jaffa - 24th March 2014 at 17:46
my fiancees grandfather was in japan with 7132se at miho
By: G-ORDY - 22nd September 2013 at 13:43
Hello all,
William Henry Stallard (“Jock” to his RAF buddies, “Harry” to his family, “Bill” to his wife and “Dad” to me) was a LAC (Airframes) working on this kite in the mid/late 40’s (flown by Battle of Britain hero “Ginger” Lacey and others), I’d like to find out when my Dad and YB-A were in the same places (he was in India, Burma, Ceylon, Singapore and Japan); the production schedule for RN135 is 6MU 8-1-45 222; MU 5-2-45; Empire Paragon 12-2-45; India 12-4-45; 17S Japan 28-9-46; SOC 24-3-48, so I’m looking at India and post war Japan operations.
I think he was with 7132SE but I’m still waiting on info from the RAF about his service record to confirm all his postings.
Anyone know how I can find out more specific info for the YB-A bird? Operational logs, maintenance logs – anything! Photos of course!
I know it’s a long shot but I have to ask.Thanks for your help
Jim Stallard
Hi Jim
Try page 33 of this book by Alfred Price …
By: Graham Boak - 22nd September 2013 at 13:09
17 Sq received Mk.XIVs in June 1945, possibly while still based at Thedaw but I suspect more likely on the move to Madura in June. They were then taken to Seletar on HMS Trumpeter (September 1945), moving to Kuala Lumpur in January 1946, to Singapore in March for transfer to Kure. Source: Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft, by John Rawlings.
You may find mention of it in 17 Sq Operational Record Book in the National Archives at Kew. Maintenance logs were not retained for historical purposes. For photos I suggest also asking on one of the modelling forums, probably Britmodeller, as I’ve a feeling this aircraft is fairly well known because of its connection with Lacey. Presumably your Dad also worked on other examples?
By: snafu - 22nd September 2013 at 12:34
Slightly off topic but its not “17th Squadron”, which makes it sound distinctly other side of the Atlantic. I believe you could spend a fun but short evening in your local British ex-servicemen’s club using that sort of phrase! (Excludes certain parts of the Army though)
By: Ant.H - 21st September 2013 at 12:47
Hello Jim,
It’s a bit of a long shot, but there was an issue of Air Enthusiast published several years ago which carried an article on the air component of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force of Japan. I have a copy of it somewhere which I’ll try and dig out, I’m pretty sure there’s a photo of RN135 in it. I’ll check and get back to you!
Edited: I’ve had a look and it seems the picture of ‘135 is the same as that found on the SM832 thread elsewhere on the forum.
Sign In
September 20, 2013 at 2:18 pm