[QUOTE=Wings43;2232084]As the museum posts here on occasion, may I ask would the museum ever consider adding another Second World War bomber type to the collection or even embarking on an audacious restoration of something like the Wellington remains?

It’s been discussed on here before and another Wellington is something that sufficient substantial component parts (mostly already under cover) exist for. It would be nice to have one permanently outside the M25. One day if someone has enough money and the necessary people agree it might, just might happen (maybe).

On the subject of uniting wings and fuselages, has any progress been made with the Gladiator wings in Malta? Any hope of uniting them with ‘Faith’?

You are welcome Jules. When the time comes I would suggest that you are looking for someone commissioned 1942 to mid 1943 (as he wears an N brevet and VR collar studs, most Observers in post before the Navigator category was introduced kept their O brevet as I understand). He was operational at least around the time that the jacket is dated as that would allow the minimum qualification for the 1939-45 Star and the Air Crew Europe Star which needed two months operational service, for each, before 5th June 1944. The rosette on the ACE denotes a clasp, probably the France and Germany Star for operations after 6th June 1944, but it isn’t impossible that it is for the Atlantic Star. The Defence Medal may well have been qualified for during overseas training and time spent between tours. It would also appear probable that the officer concerned stayed in the service after the war, hence the ribbons. The campaign stars were distributed from 1947 onwards I believe although the ribbons may have been earlier, if anyone knows better on that I’d be happy to find out. Interestingly, there is no DFC ribbon which might be expected for an officer who had, for example, completed an operational tour with Bomber Command. Perhaps he was injured and didn’t complete a tour? Maybe not Bomber Command? POW might also be a possibility?

Sorry Jules, that’s a difficult one. I suggest a trip to Kew to The National Archives and perhaps a flick through The Air Force List in the library there for 1943/44 as a start. Then perhaps follow up leads by searching The London Gazette online.

Unless someone on here has The Air Force List to hand. That’s not a very stand-out name.

The exact location (with wartime map reference) may well be recorded on the Bomber Command Loss Card held by DoRIS at the RAF Museum Hendon. http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/archive-collection/aircraft-records.aspx It might be worth dropping them a line or paying them a visit.

As far as I am aware, Lockheed Vega Ventura and North American Mitchell flown by the RAF also carried both .303 and .50 cal armament and would fit the time period of the shell cases that have been identified.

Seems odd that it is the same location as a documented crash though.

I’d say Wellington too, compare with http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/albums/466-Wellington/P03860_001.jpg

Certainly not Halifax for the reasons stated above.

Jack Bingham’s service record would be available for a fee from the MoD and would indicate units posted to. AIR 78/15 at The National Archives will give the service number.

Bingo. I think we have a winner.

Out of interest, where did you manage to locate that Paul?