Prop StrikeSecond one now arrived–photo by Clive Stevens
Prop StrikeHere is AB910 at a Wisley Garden Party in 1958, with glossy looking paint and a Q code perhaps for Quill?
Prop StrikeViscount, you make a compelling and well-informed case, and I am inclined to agree with your assertion.
AB910 was indeed in private ownership, as you point out (even if not owned by an individual) . Even if they did not set out to be, they were the first operators of a ‘warbird’ Spitfire. Quite far-sighted to establish a company ‘Heritage Flight’ just 10 years after the war’s end.
Prop Strikehttps://www.youtube.com Funeral service will be in 5 days on YouTube
DAVID MURRAY PEDEN, QC, DFC
David Murray Peden QC, DFC, was born October 19, 1923, and passed away peacefully on January 6, 2022 after a short illness.
He is survived by his son John (aka Jock) (Karen), daughter Laura (Greg), daughter-in-law Sara and five grandchildren, Kirstie and Alexander Peden, and Andrew, Ryan and Scott Miskiewicz, as well as two great-grandchildren, Alfred Urban and Eloise Peden. He is also survived by his younger brother, Allan. He was predeceased by his son Roderick in 2013, and his wife Jean in 2018.
Murray was born in Winnipeg, but grew up in Portage la Prairie between the ages of 6 and 16, taking most of his early schooling there. He played in the City band, and was active in Portage Collegiate’s cadet corps, winning several rifle marksmanship awards.
In 1940 the family returned to Winnipeg, and Murray took Grade 12 at Gordon Bell and also played solo cornet with the band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. Upon turning 18 in 1941, he enlisted in the RCAF, took pilot training and in November, 1942, was sent overseas to fly operationally.
After further training in England, he was posted to #214 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command. He and his crew first operated Stirlings performing bombing missions and special operations dropping supplies to the Free French underground. They later converted onto B-17 Flying Fortresses, doing secret radar-countermeasures work. He and his crew were one of five on his squadron selected for a special radar mission in support of the D-Day landings on the night of June 5/6, 1944. He received a special commendation later in June, 1944, following a raid into the Ruhr, when his aircraft was attacked twice, two of his crew were wounded and the flight terminating in a successful crash-landing back in England. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon completion of his operational tour, he served as an instructor on Fortresses until his return to Canada in July, 1945.
Upon discharge, he took his B.A. at United College (1948) and his Ll.B. (1952) winning a Gold Medal in each. During this period, in April 1949 he married the daughter of Rev. Phillip Barker, Jean Duncan Barker, with whom he had graduated at United.
Upon graduation, he first joined Manitoba’s Attorney-General’s Department, working as a Crown Attorney for three enjoyable years and then in 1955 joined the firm Greenberg, Arpin and Rich. In 1960 he was appointed Counsel to the Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission and later, the first counsel of the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg. In 1961 he rejoined the provincial government as Assistant Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and later as Deputy Minister of Public Utilities. In 1968 he became the first Chairman of the newly-formed Securities Commission, an appointment he held until his retirement in 1988.
He was gratified, late in life, to be awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government, in recognition of his services during the Second World War.
Throughout much of his life, he was a writer. Three of his books were published, “A Thousand Shall Fall” an account of his flying experiences during the Second World War, “Fall of an Arrow”, detailing the development and eventual cancellation of the Avro Arrow fighter aircraft in the 1950s, and “Hearken to the Evidence” a description of the criminal justice system of the 1950s. The first two were repeatedly reissued over a period of 20-odd years and “A Thousand Shall Fall” received wide acclaim as one of the best and most accurate first person accounts ever written about that conflict.
From childhood on, he was a keen duck hunter, fisherman and skeet shooter. In addition to his writing, his other hobbies included photography, the study of military history and music. As an adult, he learned to play the bagpipes, played with the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band, and later taught the pipes with the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band (now Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band).
Murray had a brilliant and incisive intellect, possessed a wonderful sense of humour, tremendous musical talents, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Murray and Jean enjoyed 69 years of a loving marriage and both were admired for their devotion and commitment to their family. Murray frequently said however, that his greatest satisfaction and enjoyment in life came from being in company with, and keeping abreast of the accomplishments of their five grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home. COVID protocols require that all in attendance be fully vaccinated. Only those who can show proof of vaccination and government issued ID will be permitted to attend. COVID restrictions unfortunately, will also preclude the usual reception following the service.
Friends and family are invited to visit Murray’s memorial page at Thomsoninthepark.com where memories and condolences may be shared. The service will be live-streamed and can also be viewed at Thomsoninthepark.com
https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-304213/Peden_…
Prop StrikeFabricated by BGI Supplies, at Chertsey, apparently
Prop StrikeMaybe keep an eye out for a ‘previously undiscovered original wartime 109 fuselage‘ eventually appearing on the warbird market, of course much more desirable (££$$$) than a mere looky-likey Buchon..
Prop StrikeAnd still earning a living.
A Turbine DC-3 is presently operating out of Southampton, on a survey contract looking for Lithium in Cornwall
”A low-flying 1940s plane doing survey work will be a common sight over mid and west Cornwall during the next two to three weeks.
The geological mapping plane is hoping to identify where lithium and other minerals may be located underground.
The flights are happening in the mornings at about 100m (328ft).
Bell Geospace, which is doing the work, said the “aircraft is able to sense and measure geological properties which cannot otherwise be seen”.
It is hoped the information gathered will be of use to companies hoping to evaluate potential for geothermal energy or lithium extraction, as well as to the British Geological Survey and the government.”
Prop StrikeI would be surprised if currency were a factor here, as BHHH have a number of pilots very current on merlin -engined fighters, and the two types must be very closely matched in handling characteristics.
I think the bottom line is that it was simply not very popular, because ‘Spitfire’ is the gold-standard, the jewel in the crown, the ultimate… the one historic type that is logged in the public consciousness.
If you tell people you flew in a Spitfire they go ‘Wow !’
If you say you flew in a Hurricane, they go ‘ What’s that? ”
Nevertheless, it is a exciting opportunity and hopefully, the operation will be a great success.
Prop StrikeAt some stage the Wellington will return from Cosford, so that might go in the slot. I do agree, though, that the B-25 is a significant type, and certainly deserves its place at Hendon. The 2 seat FW190 sits in that gallery, and whilst it is a fascinating and historic aeroplane and exhibit, surely has a lesser place that the Mitchell in the story of the Royal Air Force.
Prop StrikeA very informative and well-presented piece. We are lucky indeed to have access to such an impressive vault of high quality aviation writing, with such spectacular photography.
An printed compendium of some of these articles would be most desirable, surely?
Thanks again Elliott.
Prop StrikeBovingdon in Hertfordshire?
Yes and No. The bulk of it is, but some of the frying pan dispersals on the Whelpley Hill side are in Bucks. The county border cuts through the site.
My fear is that the filming, which once I welcomed, is going to be the end of the airfield as we know it, and it will become a built up, permanent studio like Leavesden ( airfield ) up the road, now the Harry Potter studio.
Already the Security is 24 hours, and signs point you to the ITV studios… It was only a few years ago that my school chums and I went up there to watch the arrival of 5 B-25 Mitchells, for the making of Hanover Street.
OK, 43 years ago ! ( gulp) .
Prop StrikeThanks for picking that up. It crossed my mind that it could have referred to the previous incident, but it appeared to be contemporaneous, on first impressions.
Looks like the jury is still out on this, then.
Prop StrikeJust………..WOW !
Prop StrikePilot’s statement
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