ollie oliverNo problem
I have no problem whatsoever with the preservation of this aircraft, or the fact that it was flown by the Duke of York. I worked on this aircraft whilst serving with 820 and was expressing the personal view that it will still be displayed at FAAM due moreso to the fact that it was flown by the aforementioned rather than the fact that it took part in a noteworthy rescue.
As well as Lt Cdr Russell Smith USN the rest of the crew was as follows
Lt Steve Marlow RN
S/Lt Kenneth Doherty Rn
Lacmn Martin Kennie
I can inform you that I take great pride in this aircraft being displayed in the FAAM as I was amongst the group of engineers who re-built this aircraft at Cobham Hall after the re-paint done by Westlands. The fitting out was carried out by the Aircraft Maintenance Section at H.M.S. Sultan by myself and others, so no I have no problem with it being displayed ,why should I?
As an aside 820 didn’t like to number its aircraft 016, this was due to an apparent jinx. Idents were as follows 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18,and 20.
When 20 was re-numbered to 16 it promptly ditched![ATTACH]167875[/ATTACH]
ollie oliverHistoric Sea King
The shame of it is that this particular airframe is at present awaiting display at the FAAM not because of it’s involvment in that particular rescue, but due to the fact that it was flown (P2) BY H.R.H Prince Andrew in the South Atlantic.
ollie oliverVariants not known
I have to say that that the type of Stuka’s flown by Heinrich wasn’t brought to my attention, sorry! He flew this aircraft exclusively until his transfer out of the Eastern front as I have posted earlier. One fact I can tell you was that he wasn’t a tall man probably only about 5ft 5ins tall. To this end I did ask if he found it a problem (his stature and such a large aircraft) and in his matter of fact way just said he could adjust the seat!
ollie oliverNot an mp 40
Thought that might have been the case, similar situation with mums family coming from Pommern.
He flew with an MP40 slung under his suit? that must have been so uncomfortable, LOL.
Great story too thanks
As described by Heinrich this weapon wasnt like an mp 40. Now Im not an expert on weapons but what was described to me in some detail would have looked more like the modern Heckler and Koch weapons carried nowadays by so many Police Officers etc. It had to be small because I remember asking him about how the wearer of such a weapon would fare if they had to use a parachute. If Heinrich’s escape by chute is anything to go by . there would appear to be little or no restrictions. I don’t remember any specofic reply to this question.
Does anyone out there know maybe just what this sidearm was?
ollie oliverHeinrich uhl
He did indeed settle in the uk. The reason was mainly because he was not allowed to return to his homeland until 1955, where he discovered that the Russians had taken over, (I presume he was from the East,) he discovered that there were no survivors of his family so he returned to the Portsmouth area. The interesting bit is just how he managed to survive in England, also becoming a local businessman. As I have said earlier he was shot down over the Isle Of Wight, when taken prisoner he was armed’. The Germans with the knowledge gained on the Eastern front found that a pistol was next to useless for downed airmen in hostile territory, therefore they began carrying a small machine pistol hung from a lanyard under their flying suit . This lanyard hung from the sholder and was tucked under the armpit. Heinrich told me that when he regained consciousness he was aware that the gun still nestled under his clothing! On inspection he found that all of the ammunition had been removed however. He informed me that he asked why it had not been removed by the authorities to be told that as an officer they had to wait until he wished to surrender it. This he duly did to an English Major who believe it or not wouldn’t accept it unless he could pay for it! Heinrich told me that he didn’t have any knowledge of our monetary system so when the sum of £30 was handed over he became quite well off instantly. He told me that it was with this money that he was able to start a ‘Danish Bakery’ when I asked him why? he just said “would you buy bread from a German”? He must have got the idea from when as a POW he worked for the local Tom Parker Dairy riding a delivery bike taking milk and bread to locals .
He married an Irish woman and settled into his business. That was until he discovered that he had cancer behind his heart. Believe it or not he could only get a specialised operation back in Germany for this life threatening cancer. The op removed some of his ribs from the back and was successful, Heinrichs luck was continuing. He had this operation in what was West Germany, where the local RAF station (sorry I don’t remember him telling me just which one) found out about his wartime exploits. Whilst convalescing he was invited to a dinner at this base. He told me he thought it was just an informal visit, he was soon to find out that a full mess dinner had been laid on in his honour. At the end of this dinner he was asked to address the many officers present. what he told me was that as he was unprepared he just raised his glass and said “Gentlemen what a shame this is not 1940”!
Apparently they all cheered……..The sad thing is that I lost contact with Heinrich so I dont know if or when lady luck finally deserted him.
I hope this forum is the correct place for telling this story, thanks for reading it any way.
OLLIE
ollie oliverMore tales from a Stuka pilot
To continue my previous input about Heinrich Uhl.
Further to the aerial fighting with the Stuka, Heinrich told me about his tank busting exploits. I was informed that certainly In the early days of the Russian operation this was looked upon by stuka pilots akin to what we understand by the expression ‘like shooting fish in a barrel!’ He told me that as Russian tanks advanced in line abreast he picked on a target and engaged it, when the desired result was achieved he would side slip the Stuka and engage the next target. This was apparently the order of the day and he expressed that multiple kills could be achieved in this way. Once again I cannot substantiate this story but I will add that the stories were told to me in a matter of fact way. However flying the Stuka was not without It’s hazards. Heinrich suffered multiple wounds during his time on the Eastern Front, including a small calibre round that entered his neck and travelled upwards cutting a furrow on the inside of his skull until it exited his right Temple. Later with other wounds including being seriously burned he was retired from The Eastern front and re- deployed on He111 at StLo.France.
He was eventually shot down after raiding Southampton in 1944, parachuting from his aircraft onto the Isle of Wight. Unconscious he came to within a medical room in Parkhurst prison. He was running on luck and I think eventually he was glad to be out of the fighting. He did express that he didn’t like fighting the British it was the Russians he disliked!
ollie oliverStuka shoot downs
I had the pleasure of knowing a stuka pilot that flew alongside Rudel in Russia. He told me in one of our many conversations about shooting down Russian aircraft. He told me that the method employed was to fly relatively slowly, easy for a Stuka i know. Russian pilots aware of the rear gunner would overhaul the ju 87 by some distance and climb. At this point the russians would roll inverted and pull back on the stick to complete a near frontal pass. Heinrich Uhl the pilot of the stuka then told me it was possible to almost stall the aircraft drop a wing and apply power. this had the effect of sitting the aircraft on its tail. At this point he would engage the Russian if only fleetingly. He told me that the power of the aircraft made it almost hang on the prop whilst engaging his enemy. I have no way of knowing if this was a tall story or not, but he was very descriptive of these events.
Having been wounded many times Heinrich transferred from the Russian front to St Lo flying He111,and was eventually shot down some time in 1944 over the I.O.W. As an aside if anyone has any information on this gentleman I would be interested to hear from them.
ollie oliverEntering Harbour
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These are all I can come up with, hope they are of some use/interest?
ollie oliverIs it possible to get further photographic evidence?
ollie oliverVent not exhaust
Looking at this photograph certain things can be deduced. The way I see it it is a vent not an exhaust as a square grille is visible on the inside of the opening. Not normal for exhausts. I believe it is possible to think it is an exhaust because of the scorching visible apparently having eminated from the opening. I look at it as an aircraft that has suffered an internal fire venting to atmosphere through a rear facing compartment vent. Grilles are normally placed inside these to stop any avian interest, ie:- nesting birds. Also of interest is the impact distortion visible aft of this opening. Still doesn’t answer what the a/c is but worth a look.:confused:
ollie oliver100 years young
Next year sees the centenary of Grange Airfield Gosport. At the same time the first Naval aviators took to the air so the FAA will have something to celebrate. Then lets not forget the Sea King having been in service with UK forces for 40 years 🙂
ollie oliverVictor lineup
I lived very close to the runway at Radlett and as a youngster would marvel as the Victors came in to land over the top of the house. One managed to topple the chimmney from a neighbours house which added to the excitement. Spotting trains on the adjacent main line was made more of a spectacle as Victors and the occasional Hastings came into land. However it was the sight of the Jetstream landing that was more interesting as invariably they were to be seen with flames eminating from one engine as they returned to land. I witnessed this on more than one occasion. The point of all this was that my father worked at HP and said that it was the failure of this aircraft and the money the company ploughed into it that left the Victors idle for so long alongside the runway. Whatever the cause Scottish aviation picked up the challenge with the Jetstream and the Victors left. So for me aircraft spotting was what went in and out of Hatfield from then on.
ollie oliverArgentine Puma
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Argentine CoastGuard Puma photographed after 14th June 1982.This helicopter contained a booby trap secreted in a thermos flask!.
ollie oliverFalklands aircraft Images
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These photos were taken when I served with 825 Naval Air Squadron in the Falklands. The deck cargo of Pucaras was en-route to the UK aboard the Atlantic Causeway sister ship to the ill fated Conveyor.
ollie oliverNew Aviation Themed Films for TV
This wont be too informative, just to let you know that there will soon be screened a new series about Helicopter rescues. Filming is well under way and screening is due for early in the new year. I am unable to tell more as I am sworn to secrecy, what I can say is that from the filming I witnessed it will be worth a viewing. Sorry I am unable to say more.
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