In line with the last time the public were asked to vote on a popular name, I’m going to vote for:-

Squadron Leader Spitty McSpitface.

In all seriousness, in my humble opinion, this just illustrates that RAFM has totally lost the plot – reducing the RAFM, and those whose service and sacrifice it is supposed to remember, to the level of those second rate reality T.V. shows that we are subjected to constantly.

I’m ashamed.

Hi there,

Would it happen to be “Eighth Air Force Bomber Stories” by Ian McLachlan???

Not Italian/American name, but the content sounds familiar. I found it very poignant.

Hope that helps,
M

Martin,

How about some decals for the REAL Mustangs of the REAL Squadron which carried out the REAL attack??? Please?? Pretty please???

The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, a.k.a. the “Black Lightning Squadron.” Not the fake green/orange markings, but the real black/yellow version. I will give my right arm (well, almost) for a decal set for “Snooper”, actually a F-6K (PR version of the P-51K).

Know you probably want to depict a modern “warbird”, but there’s plenty of the real thing. Check out http://www.118trs.com.

Please and Thank you!
Michael.

Hi there Shackleton,

“Battle of Newry Road”? PIRA – v – Lynx’s (x4?). There was a DFC awarded; perhaps the DFM also arose from the same incident?

My memory’s a bit hazy, but I think there was a pretty serious exchange of lead, PIRA “surrendered” to Lynx, but managed to escape before QRF could arrive.

Might be worth asking on Pprune (other forums are available!!)

All the best,
Michael.

Hi Duggy,

I was researching the 118th TRS, part of the 23rd FG, a while back for a project of mine. These are either cluster or incendiary bombs; I cannot recall their designation off-hand. I’m afraid I lost most of my files due to a computer problem about 18 months ago, but I’ll check some other sources when I get the chance and get back to you.

All the best,
Michael

PaulR,

Your pilot friend is quite correct. That is a tin opener blade. Joseph Rodgers also produced a “dinghy” version of it, with the same shaped blade riveted to a bright orange wooden “floating” handle. I still have one somewhere, I’m not sure if it was ever on issue, mine didn’t have a 22C/ number on it, while my standard dinghy knife had.

IIRC the blade was shaped like that to prise open tins of emergency water. These were the same size as the standard soup/baked beans tins, but unlike them the whole lid was never cut off.

The water tin had a small -V- bar (that’s the best shape I can do on my keyboard to illustrate it’s shape!!) welded to the top of it. This would be prised off using this blade, revealing two holes below it. In a survival situation fresh water is liquid gold, and to be carefully rationed – the rationale was that once you had taken your ration the holes could then be re-sealed using matches/chewing gum/ tape etc. until it was needed again.

Not sure if these water tins are still issued, the last one I had was converted to become a mini cooker to burn hexi blocks in – it worked quite well!

Regards.