one-o-nine

Thanks for photo and for refernce

Hartmair Leichtbau Gmbh

http://www.leichtbau-gmbh.de/index.htm

You can use google translate to read the text

Post number…. 2001

I had to look up the meaning of Boondoggle..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondoggle_(project)

“A boondoggle is a project that is considered a useless waste of both time and money, yet is often continued due to extraneous policy motivations”

Any link to other Far East Recovery Expedition is purely in the mind of the reader alone

Spiteful

Yes – Dg up my Source Material from 2007 now (the book Under B Conditions)

The question is does the Pharo/Foote Archive provide any more info for suggesting

“that G.15-75 is a further Tr IX, and the initial, delivery 670 to the Egyptian Air Force.”

Also I note the Under B Conditions (well 1978 imprint) has for Vickers… “G-15-111 to G-15-156 Untraced” this should now be

“G-15-111 to G-15-140 Spitfire Mk XIV’s to Thailand”, “and 141 to 156 Untraced”

Peter

Fascinating article .. Well at least the collective knowledge of Spitfire c/ns at Chattis Hill has moved on

Can we use the B Serials list to prove the “missing Tr9” ever existed ? Can’t remember all details at moment and not got access to my records

Paul

Alex

Had a chance to look up Sgt Hart from your grandfathers second baleout – I can confirm he was Sgt Charles Stuart Hart #580370 PoW in Battle K9183 on 10/05/1940. Along with AC1 J.G. Ward #542939also Pow. Pilot. Flying Officer (Pilot) Douglas A. Cameron, RAF 39455 killed.

Additionally, Flight-Sgt Frederick John Percival (from first baleout) #562846 was Killed in Action 14/05/1940 in Battle P2267

Your father as a Battle of France 226 Sqn Survivor was a lucky man, Battle Sqns were badly mauled during the German advance in May 1940, his log book would prove very interesting to the historians here as lots of contemporary documents were lost during the retreat and information has had to be patched together from various other sources.

See here for losses at the time

http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/226_squadron.html

As to his first incident I found a report (in all places) The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania) of Wednesday 26 April 1939

CRASH AVERTED
Pilot Stays In Falling Aeroplane
When an R.A.F. bomber developed engine trouble and was in danger of crashing recently, the pilot ordered the other two occupants to make parachute descents, while he himself stayed at the controls in an effort to save the machine.
The incident occurred over the lonely moors north-west of Sheffield. As the bomber lost height the pilot tried to land in a field near Bradfield.
The machine narrowly missed hitting Fairflats farm; then suddenly its engines picked up again and the pilot flew off to land safely at Doncaster aerodrome.
The two men who landed by parachute were Flight-Sergeant Frederick John Percival and Aircraftman James Allen (sic), both stationed at Harwell, Berks. They had narrow escapes as they descended.
Mrs. C. Oak. of Nether House Farm, close to where the two men landed, stated that she heard a cry for help coming from behind the farm buildings. She ran round, to find Allen, his face covered with blood, trying to release the parachute harness.
He had been blown almost on to the farmhouse roof and his parachute had caught in a tree, torn itself free and he had dropped near a wall. He had struck his face and grazed his hands.
The men were taken to Sheffield Royal Infirmary suffering from slight shock, but were not detained.

Looks like your grandfather had a thing for landing in farms!

BTW can you confirm where was was born/died? I am trying to work out his service number but am not having much luck

Many Thanks

Paul

Alex

Very interested in your posting. I have been trying to track down James Allen for about 2 years.. I wonder fi you can tell me any more about his pre war baleouts?

He is in a select club of a select club (2 parachutes escapes with RAF before 3rd Sept 1939 and the only non officer) – For reference the other “2 bale outs” are F/O Leslie Charles Bicknell, P/O Jack Bradley and P/O. John Heber-Percy

I wonder if you have any idea of a date for the second baleout with 226 Sqn – Along with Sgt C Hart? It is a real mystery to me

If you have his service number if may be able to pinpoint when he joined the RAF

For reference his first bale out was from a Battle on March 6, 1939 at Bradfield, Yorkshire along with Flight-Sergeant Frederick John Percival. The pilot flew on and landed the aircraft ok at Doncaster – he is unknown to me as is the serial of the Battle
Many Thanks

Paul

PURE SPECULATION on my behalf but

Interesting i am sure it was reported that Jerry Yagen had a health scare in last year or to. Maybe it caused him to rethink his plans

Maybe William Ellsmoor #365825

There was a William Ellsmoor born Qtr , 1908 Birth registered Newport, Sh

Newport, Sh. is an alternative name for Newport S and it spans the boundaries of the counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire;