Ed,

Like Mark 12, I cannot recall seeing a Spitfire cockpit equipped with ultra-violet lighting, but I would not rule it out as a mod on postwar aircraft. You would really need to consult the Spit XVI A.P. mod. volume at Hendon (assuming they have one).

What I can say is that the Spiteful XIV had a full dual lighting system installed from the word go. That is, fluorescent instruments, lit by ultra-violet lamps, and cockpit lighting by Type C floodlamps (the little ones that sit under the coaming).

regards!

The night bombing did not hit any targets of significants, only by chance.

The American effort achieved more succes

Hi Schorsch,

I am not going to get drawn into yet another debate about the effectiveness/morality/costs of the strategic air offensive, but when I read comments such as yours I have to wonder just how widely read on the subject you are?

To state that night bombing (by which I assume you mean the R.A.F.) only hit significant targets “by chance” suggests to me that you really haven’t researched this subject much.

And then to state that the American effort achieved more success suggests to me that you’ve been listening to an American talking about the war. Only not a very well informed American…

Regards and end of debate from me.

682al

Interesting, the mooring light sat on a tripod but I don’t have any decent pictorial reference.

Hi Peter,

I just recall seeing it in the appropriate Volume of the A.P. for the FN 5 series and breathing a sigh of relief.

That was down at RAFM Hendon. I will obtain a copy on my next visit.

Regards

682al

It was The Brylcreem Boys and I remember it well.

The problem is, few people have any recollection of it. I have raised queries about it on this board and others, but no-one seems to have any information to offer.

I seem to recall that David Threlfall (Shameless Channel 4) and Timothy Spall (Auf Wiedersehen, Pet) were amongst the cast.

I wonder if a copy still exists? I have a vague memory of a screening being organised at the Imperial War Museum many years ago. Long after it was broadcast on telly, so maybe there is a copy buried in their archives? Maybe a good place to enquire?

Hi Linz,

Just bear in mind that Wellington is “odds on” solely because I said that the table in my possession came from one according to the bloke I bought it off.

There has been no other proof offered yet, and I have already stated my own doubts, based on the reference to “top” and “bottom tier”, which does not seem to fit with the bomb bay of a Wellington or any other british bomber that I’m familiar with.

Having looked at the bomb bays of preserved B24s, B17s, B25 etc, they all seem to have at least three bomb stations stacked one above the other, which seems to rule them out as well!

So we are still left with a mystery item until someone comes up with more accurate information than any of us have been able to so far.