“flight of two battle damaged aircraft from LG-85 “

Interesting all indications I have so far say they took off originally from LG-09 (where 260 Sqn were based at the time)

So did they stop en route at LG 85, Amriya South, Egypt?

Agreed but when this was first reported, the astronaut said he had found a world war 2 Spitfire on the moon

Re difference beween LG.009 and LG.106 you have to remember Kttyhawk Pilot was written 40 years later using the memories and log books of Stocky Edwards and the data then available. It is likely they looked at the date and assumed Copping was evacuating with the rest of them when he went missing. However, we also know that the aircraft he was flying ET574 was also supposed to be damaged, flying with its undercarriage down and on its way to a repair unit. It is likely he was told to fly the not so lame duck back to a repair unit further way.

I wonder if Vintage Wings have access to Stocky Edwards Logbook for the period and see how he recorded his flights?

PS his Father was a Dentist who died on 8th June 1956

BTW has anyone got

Fighters Over The Desert

by Christopher Shores and Hans Ring and could tell us what it says for 28th June 1942 and the surrounding days in relation to 260 Sqn thanks

Please Ignore 28th June 1942 260 Sqn not mentioned at all..

Last known “alive date” is usually used (unless any evidence is available to suggest a later date). In this case if an aircraft was lost on 28 June 1942, the pilot Date of Death would be recorded as 28th June 1942

System does have his problems and not 100% accurate IIRC some RAF deaths on the Lancastria in 1940 have dates of death on or after the ship was lost

Finally

I have got a copy of a few of the 260 SQN ORBS from the time as Buz says the detail is minimal to say the least and no serial to sqn code match ups. probably due the fludity of Sqn movement at the time

Also ET574 should be USAAF 41-35928 and Curtiss C/N 19761 (Corrected)

I say should as while Curtiss C/N are supposed to be consecutive there are a few times when they are not what you think they are. Most notably the TFC P-47G (built by Curtiss) for instance is in the right general area (within a few numbers) for its predicted C/N but not exactly.. – It is possible that on production line airfames had to be moved back due to damage etc

Paul