Although pretending to be multiple different posters on this forum Steve C-T did post the Form 1180 for the Menteith Spitfire on this forum.

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=60412&highlight=menteith

Regards
Ross

Return to country of birth Nigel.

Ross

Hi Ian,

I would suggest rather than types operated in the area to look at types repaired at MacMerry.

My father served his time there and described a significant number of American/FAA types that were repaired then dragged across the road for run up.

Could be that the screens are left over stores from when the facility closed in the 1950s.

Regards
Ross

AP101B-0409-1A gives

Main Plane
4Q/2141391 Body, Jacking, Hydraulic 15 ton
4Q/2533428 Adapter head
4Q/2141393 Trestle, Mk 2

Front Fuselage
4Q/4230826 Adapter head, Mk.49
4Q/4230830 Body jacking, hydraulic, 5 ton
4Q/4230643 Trestle, Mk 2

Remember to support the fuselage at frame 42 with UJ trestle No.7 fitted with former.

No raising heights given, just comment jack until wheels clear ground.

When Cosford fettled their aircraft for hanging they were using jacks and the proper adapter heads. May pay to give the Conservation Centre a buzz.

Regards
Ross

Hi Moggy,

After ordering the crew to abandon his pilot was killed while trying to forceland the aircraft.

28th Dec 1942

10 OTU
Whitley V
Z6669

Coded F for Freddie

Sgt F Charlton
P/O Clutterbuck
Sgt Glencross
Sgt Llewellyn
Sgt J R Worthington
Sgt H Le Marchant

Op A/S Patrol, took off RAF St Eval at 05:53 hrs

Ran out of fuel on return from patrol in bad weather and abandoned, Trewinnon Cross, Devon. Sgt Charlton tried to crash land after the crew abandoned but at 17:20 hrs he crashed and caught fire at Coobes Head Farm, Lewannick, Cornwall.

Regards
Ross

Hand held device is the most common that the guys have.

Ex army bomb/mine locator similar to the latest version shown here but in cammo green

http://www.unhrd.org/catalog/B38822301.pdf

Does not need the crop down but good survey will consist of parallel tracks spaced about 1-2m apart then the same area again covered 1-2m spaced parallel tracks but at 90 degrees to the first set.

Would not make you popular tramping down that amount of crop so usually best to wait for stubble/harvest.

I wait for winter for woodlands to allow the bracken to die back and allow me to walk parallel tracks without stumbling.

Another version is the cart used by Time Team geos. Same principle just different method of supporting the search head.

Regards
Ross

Your wish is my command

July/Aug/Sept (3rd Qtr) 1941

Cheyne, Ian M, 24, Saffron W.,Vol 4a, Page 1349

Fleming, William,20, Saffron W.,Vol 4a, Page 1349

Regards
Ross

Hi Steve,

According to the excellent “For Your Tomorrow” by Errol W Martyn

Sgt Ian McDonald Cheyne RNZAF, NZ404335 was flying W9149 and had 215 hrs flying experience.
Sgt William Fleming RNZAF, NZ403852 was onboard R4183 with 181 hrs flying experience.

Martyn goes on to note that both Chyene and Fleming were the first New Zealand graduates under the Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada to lose their lives.

There is a full bio for each man also available from the same source.

Regards
Ross