Page 19 – Key Publishing

Alex Crawford

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 posts - 271 through 285 (of 314 total)

← 1 2 3 … 18 19 20 21 →

Author

Posts
November 19, 2004 at 7:31 am in reply to: Tunes of Glory #1420435

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi Dave,

Wasn’t Spitfire Prelude part of the Battle of Britain?

I used to have this album when I was a youngster. I also had the war movie themse as well. Ah Colonel Bogie, I knew him well.

Alex

November 19, 2004 at 7:28 am in reply to: E-bay – the modeller's best friend #1420438

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

I bought a Junkers G-38 kit from the German E-bay. When it arrived lo and behold there were two kits inside the one box. 😀

Now that’s what I call a bargain.

Alex

November 18, 2004 at 5:55 pm in reply to: Tse-tse question #1421584

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

Yes, the Japanese sent a number of subs to France with vital supplies for Germany. Likewise a number of U-boats made the long trip to Japan.

For the journey home to Japan I-29 was loaded with a HWK 509A-1 rocket motor, as used on the Me163 Comet, plus a Jumo 004B engine, as used on the Me262. She also carried plans for Isotta-Fraschini torpedo boat engine, a V-1 ‘Buzz bomb’ fuselage, TMC acoustic mines, bauxite and reportedly mercury-radium amalgam. During the journey home the American submarine USS Sawfish torpedoed and sank the I-29 on 26th July 1944.

Alex

November 18, 2004 at 4:00 pm in reply to: Tse-tse question #1421822

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

The pilot involved was Sqn Ldr Phillips. Sqn Ldr Rose was shot down and killed on 4 November 1943. The incident occured on the 10 March 1944. Two Tse-tse with an escort of four FBVI’s from 248 Sqn were ordered to find and attack a Japanese submarine that had entered the Bay of Biscay.

They found the sub but it was being escorted by two destroyers and two torpedo boats. There were also 8 Ju88C-6s from III/ZG1 circling overhead. Sqn Ldr Phillips attacked the submarine and claimed a number of hits, he then fired on one of the destroyers. Spotting a Ju88 he fired off four 6pdr shells at it and claimed to have knocked out the port engine. The FB VI’s claimed one Ju88 shot down and another damaged. Acording to German records 7/ZG 1 lost one aircraft at 0924 hrs.

Later in the day at approx 1700hrs another Ju88 was lost to a 157 Sqn Mosquito.

This wasn’t an isolated case as on 15 January 1945 a Tse-tse fired on a FW190 over Norway and shot it down. There have been other occassions when Tse-tse pilots have fired on enemy aircraft. As well as the 6pdr the Tse-tse were armed with 2-4 machine guns, depending on the aircraft.

Alex

November 16, 2004 at 4:32 pm in reply to: D.H.98 Mosquito Photo's Please, Just Because I love looking at them. #1425392

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

Excellent R/C model of the MkXVIII Tse-tse. Some background info on HX903/I for you.

Delivered to 618 Sqn Special Detachment on 3 November 1943 at Portreath. The detachment was attached to 248 Sqn at Predannack, later moved to Portreath. On 7th November Fly Off A Bonnet attacked U-123 and fired off 7 rounds before his 6 pdr gun jammed. The sub was damaged in the attack.

On the 25 March 1944 HX903/I was one of two Tse-tse that sank U-976. Two days later another U-boat, U-960, was atatcked and damged. HX903/I was hit by a 37mm AA in the nose. On 11 April U-255 was attacked.

On 9 June 1944 HX903/I was involved in a collision with a FB VI HR138/Y and crashed with the loss of Fly Off Bonnet and Fly Off McNicol.

It would be nice if either Cosford or the Mosquito Museum would convert one of their Mossies into a MK XVIII as a tribute to the crews who flew the dangerous anti-shipping strikes.

Any photos of Tse-tse’s out there?

Alex

November 15, 2004 at 7:17 pm in reply to: Anyone know much about this Gloster Gauntlet. #1427059

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

Here’s a couple of Gauntlet pics.

The first is a ski equipped Finnish Gauntlet GT-418. Copyright Finnish Air Force.

Second is a Danish machine, J-21. Copyright Royal Danish Air Force.

Alex

November 15, 2004 at 7:32 am in reply to: Anyone know much about this Gloster Gauntlet. #1427704

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi Stormbird,

Do you know something I don’t?

Japan, Gauntlets? I never knew they had any. They did have two Bulldogs (wrong thread maybe? 😀 ) The only foreign users of the Gauntlet were Denmark and Finland. The Danish aircraft were supposidly destroyed in a hanger fire in 1943 (if my memory serves me correct), so no survivors.

I’ll dig out some Gauntlet photos and post them this evening. I’m just in from nightshift and I need some kip…………..zzzzzzzzzzzz

November 14, 2004 at 4:19 pm in reply to: Anyone know much about this Gloster Gauntlet. #1429144

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi Stormbird,

As far as my research goes that is the only Gauntlet left in the World. Of course there may be a few wrecks in East Africa as that was their main area of operations.

So if anyone knows differently……….

Alex

November 14, 2004 at 1:58 pm in reply to: Anyone know much about this Gloster Gauntlet. #1429235

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

The Gauntlet was rebuilt from the remains of two aircraft.

I’m sure Flypast ran an article on the rebuild in the early 80’s. Maybe someone has the issue and can fill in some details?

Alex

November 11, 2004 at 3:36 pm in reply to: Your Help Wanted #1432324

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi Rob,

Try posting the question on the RAF Commands web site

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi

There are a couple of guys who specialise in Canadian pilots an may be able to help you with further details.

Alex

November 8, 2004 at 6:16 pm in reply to: Sqdn Ldr Bill (Cherry) Vale. Info needed. #1435631

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

Always glad to help.

If you come across any further info would you be willing to pass it on? I am always looking to update my Gladiator files. There may be a 2nd edition of my Gladiator book planned in the near future so any new info is alway welcome.

Alex

November 8, 2004 at 4:28 pm in reply to: Show us your models!! #1435686

Alex Crawford
Participant

Not quite a Lanc……

Hi Viper,

Okay it’s not a Lanc but it’s all I have…..

1/144th Resin Shack by CMR.

Alex

November 8, 2004 at 4:17 pm in reply to: Sqdn Ldr Bill (Cherry) Vale. Info needed. #1435698

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi,

The following books have details of Vales time over Greece and Syria.

‘The Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete’ and ‘Dust Clouds in the Middle East’ both by Chris Shores. There is also ‘Aces High’ by Chris Shores which has details of his claims.

From Air-Britain there is ‘Strike True, The story of 80 Squadron RAF’ again by Chris Shores. Not sure if this is still available though.

Are there 33 and 80 Sqn Associations?

If I can think of any more I’ll let you know.

Alex

November 8, 2004 at 4:03 pm in reply to: K File Help Please….. #1435700

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi Papa,

None taken 🙂

November 8, 2004 at 7:24 am in reply to: K File Help Please….. #1435886

Alex Crawford
Participant

Hi Papa,

My typing is the two finger approach. 😀

Alex
Author

Posts

Viewing 15 posts - 271 through 285 (of 314 total)

← 1 2 3 … 18 19 20 21 →