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March 31, 2025 at 2:34 pm in reply to: 502 Sdn pilot…information request #1147968

Wessex Fan
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Kev35 and G-ASEA many thanks for the information.

My friend and his mother really appreciate the information to help fill in the detals of his RAF service.

Garrett’s grandson is takling flying lessons and now wants to visit one of the western Canadian museums to view an Anson in person.

Taken from “Flying the Red Hand” The History of 502 (Ulster) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force. By Ron Parsons & Alan Watson.

“On the morning of the 19th January 1940 Avro Anson N5050 ‘YG-B’ crashed on the foreshore near the north Wales seaside resort of Rhyl during a snowstorm, just an hour after taking off from Hooton Park. The pilot, Flying Officer Randall Garrett, a pre-war member of 502, having been awarded his wings in November 1937 was seriously injured. His Observer, 31 year old Sergeant Harold Moorby from Belfast, another pre-war member of 502, lost his life. 24 year old LAC Air Gunner Thomas McClure also from Belfast and Wireless Operator AC1 Robert Beattie, a 29 year old Scot from Wigtown, died a short time later from their injuries. Along with AC2 Wilfred Crossland, who had been killed the previous day when he accidentally walked into the rotating propellor of the port engine on the same aircraft, these gentlemen were the first casualties on war service with the squadron.”

Ron Parsons the primary author of the book sadly died with the book only 90% complete. However even in its acknowledged incomplete state the book is an excellent history of the squadron.

Please note I have made a couple of alterations to the text, only to to allow me to compress it slightly.

WF

March 31, 2025 at 12:02 pm in reply to: Just a thought. #1117136

Wessex Fan
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Mike,
Having heard various stories regarding the grounding of the collections aircraft, I suggest we consign this particular topic to history.
WF

May 14, 2016 at 9:54 pm in reply to: Old Warden Opener ~ 08May16 #452819

Wessex Fan
Participant

Brian, what camera and lense were you using?

Cheers

Eric

May 13, 2016 at 9:52 am in reply to: Old Warden Runways #380326

Wessex Fan
Participant

Thanks John,

I know it is a small detail, but one I wanted to include for completeness.

Regards

Eric

May 12, 2016 at 11:23 am in reply to: Old Warden Runways #380330

Wessex Fan
Participant

Thanks John, I am well aware that any runway at Old Warden other than 03/21 is restricted to Shuttleworth pilots only and I can assure you that I do not wish to land on any of them. However, my need to know the alignment is driven by my wishing to add the previously mentioned detail to some notes associated with photographs of a number of Shuttleworth aircraft on finals for the runway in question

Regards

Eric

September 19, 2015 at 6:26 am in reply to: Can Anybody Explain This Photograph? #874784

Wessex Fan
Participant

“BT-K” which was manufactured from an American pattern was released by Airfix in 1953. The model was a huge success for the company despite its crudity. If you happen to find an unmade example, do not be tempted to put it together they are very rare.
The poor quality of “BT-K” resulted in a young man by the name of John Edwards informing Airfix that he could do a better job. He became chief designer for Airfix at the Haldane Place factory and was responsible for “JE-J” which was released in 1955.

cheers

August 20, 2015 at 2:32 am in reply to: Allocation of individual letters to aircraft in 1940s? #908738

Wessex Fan
Participant

Combat Codes – Written by Vic Flintham & Andrew Thomas. It is probably the definitive work on the subject. The quickest way to purchase is via Amazon.

The Source Book of the RAF by Ken Delve and RAF Squadrons by Wing Commander C G. Jefford are also on my must have list!

Cheers

July 31, 2015 at 9:57 pm in reply to: Unknown Aircraft Carrier #847511

Wessex Fan
Participant

Many thanks guys, your interest and help is greatly appreciated. Regarding the photo of what seems to be HMS Implacable; my concern regarding the two cranes shown aft of the main superstructure was based purely on not being able to see the things on the pictures I had looked at. Regarding the second image, my thanks to those who gave the ship a name.

Cheers
WF

July 31, 2015 at 11:55 am in reply to: Unknown Aircraft Carrier #847810

Wessex Fan
Participant

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies, I have attached a further image this time taken from the Port side. I am in general in agreement with Jack and Mike. However I have one slight problem the two photographs I have clearly show two cranes aft of the main superstructure, one on either side.

I am certain the pictures would have been taken post-war; I have a reasonable number of aerial photographs in my collection, mainly taken over Belfast. A number of these show the parliament Building returned to its pre-war white, if I can establish when that happened it will give me more of an idea as to when the carrier images were taken.

Sorry folks, I did not really look at this one, it is clearly a different ship. That said the cranes comment still applies to the first picture. Regarding the second picture I have yet to identify it!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]239559[/ATTACH]

Cheers WF

July 31, 2015 at 7:34 am in reply to: Unknown Aircraft Carrier #847942

Wessex Fan
Participant

Sorry chaps, I should have attached a picture in the first place, it was taken by an uncle in I believe Belfast Louth!

Cheers[ATTACH=CONFIG]239556[/ATTACH]

July 28, 2015 at 6:15 pm in reply to: Shorts 360/330 #849301

Wessex Fan
Participant

But at the time it was that or a Trislander.

Funny you mentioned the Trislander, I flew in one once and thanked God when I was back on the ground.

July 28, 2015 at 5:51 pm in reply to: Shorts 360/330 #849373

Wessex Fan
Participant

My abiding memory of the ‘360’ is seeing a whole line of them sporting the American Eagle colour scheme at Chicago O’Hare nearly 30 years ago. In its way it was a very impressive sight. That said I get the impression that in keeping with all unpressurised aircraft they were hard on passengers when being flown in poor air conditions.

I have attached various images from my archive of the Skyvan, the UAS 330 during its move back in 2006 and some 360 images taken at Sydenham. I would love to see one of each of these home grown types preserved and on regular display in Northern Ireland. However assuming that one of each type could be brought together, I still wonder whether Northern Ireland could support a professionally run museum with all its attendant operating costs given the small population of Northern Ireland. From what I am told a study carried out some years ago indicated that it was not.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]239477[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]239478[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]239479[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]239480[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]239481[/ATTACH]

Hope you like the pictures.

July 8, 2015 at 3:25 pm in reply to: A MESSAGE TO ALL FORUMITES! #867333

Wessex Fan
Participant

Hi Forumites,

I found your replies to my original post interesting. It is all too easy to allow a degree of paranoia to run rampant in these situations. However my thoughts have turned to the areas in which one can influence account security, be it on the “Flypast Forum” or any other aspect of your on line activities. Consequently I suggest the use of a little commonsense together with the advice of experts and ensure that strong passwords are used, even if these require a few more keystrokes.

Regards
WF

Here ends the lesson, back to enjoying life!

May 25, 2015 at 1:05 am in reply to: Searching for the log books of Leslie Walter Harvey 54 and 245 Squadrons #904082

Wessex Fan
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Leslie Walter Harvey

176381 – Sgt – Pilot – British – 54 & 245 Squadrons

Joined RAFVR about October 1938 as an airman u/t Pilot (742139). Called up on September 1st 1939, he completed his training at 8 EFTS, 10FTSand and was posted to 5 OTU, Aston Down in early August 1940.

He crashed in Master N 7781 on the 6th, unhurt. Harvey joined 54 Sqn at Hornchurch on August 22nd and moved to 245 Sqn at Aldergrove September 22nd.

Commissioned from Warrent Officer in April 1944, Harvey was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

PO 5/04/1944 FO 5/10/1944

From “Men of The Battle of Britain” – Kenneth G. Wynn

Hope the above is of some help.

Regards

Eric

August 3, 2014 at 11:29 pm in reply to: The Aeroplane August 2nd 1939. Help needed to get copy of article from this issue! #920627

Wessex Fan
Participant

Many thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Fana I have sent you a privatemessage.

My best Regards to all.

WF
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