RE: RAF Lossiemouth in WW2

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-04-02 AT 09:12 AM (GMT)]Hi Ross,
The books I mentioned in my last post made no mention of Groups/Wing etc. So I’m having to do some reading up. However, I will state again that 540 Sqd. wasn’t formed until 19th Oct. 1942. It was formed out of H & L Flight PRU at Leuchars. As far as I can tell they were never based at Lossiemouth, but DID have detachments there(& many other places, too). Having just started to have a read up on 540 Sqd. their Command Assignments were as follows: No.1 PRU 19/10/42; No.106 (PR) Wing 26/06/43-15/05/44; No.106 (PR) Group 15/05/44-07/05/45.

C U soon,
Neilly

ps It might take sometime, I’m going through Roy Conyers Nesbits’ Eyes of the RAF, a good book, but ‘heavy’ reading!

RE: Tech Education 3 Stabilators & Tailerons

Hi Keith,
There was a programme, on the History Channel last year, all about the sound barrier. The Americans, in the form of one C Yeager esq. claimed the AMT was their invention. There was some film of an Auster, taken during the War (about 1943, I think), using an All Moving Tailplane (or for the Cousins, All Moving Horizontal Stabilizer or AMHS). So it was most definitly a British invention. However, the US were the first to use it for supersonic flight (sound familiar- British invention then someone else see’s the possibilities & uses it before us!).
You’re right about the F-86, too. The first production aeroplane with an AMT.

Cheers,
Neilly

RE: A bit of Technical Education.

A good place to start with, the basics. Good scans, too.

Neilly

RE: RAF Lossiemouth in WW2

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-03-02 AT 06:43 PM (GMT)]540 Sqd. was not formed until 15th Oct. 1942. There is no reference to Lossiemouth, what so ever. (The 3 books I’ve looked at are Squadrons of the RAF by James Halley, RAF Squadrons by CG Jefford & Mosquito Sqd. of the RAF by Chaz Bowyer). There is no reference to who’s control they were under, at any time. However, you’re correct about the areas that they were photographing- primarily German, Italian & Vichy shipping, before photographing mainland Europe in preparation for D-Day.
21 & 82 Sqds. you’re quite correct (should have looked further back!!!) apologies!x( Doh!

Cheers,
Neilly

RE: RAF Lossiemouth in WW2

Hi Kev
140 Wing were known as the Gestapo Hunters. It comprised of 21, 464 (RAAF) & 487 (RNZAF) Sqds. The Wing came under 2 Group & then 2nd TAF.
You’re correct about the school being hit by accident. This came about because W/C. Kleboes’ Mosquito hit a chimney (or high object, can’t quite remember. Old age!!!) & crashed onto the school. There was alot of smoke coming from the crash site & several Mosquitoes that followed bombed the school, thinking it was the Shelhaus. I can look up all the details, if you like.
2 good books to read: Gestapo Hunters, about 464 Sqd, but includes the other 2 Sqds. & Mission Completed by Sir Basil Embry, who in my view was one of the all time greats, of aviation in WW2. If you liked Johnnie Johnsons’ book, you’ll love this one! You’ll have to track it down from somewhere like ABEbooks.com as it’s an old book. I have an original 1957 1st edition copy.

Cheers for now, off to play model aeroplanes.

Neilly

RE: A bit of Technical Education.

I think it’s a great idea. I, for one, read a lot, but sometimes the authors of books, articles etc. assume we’re total conversant with all & everything to do with aeroplanes, flight etc. So it would be nice to have somethings put into lay-man terms.

Cheers,
Neilly

RE: P-40 MTO operations

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-03-02 AT 10:48 AM (GMT)]In last months Scale Modeller there was a whole pile of stuff about the P-40. Lots of piccies & scale drawings etc. There’s also an association for the P-40. I’ve left the mag. at work, so I’ll post the address, later.
Here’s a question for you all; Which air force was the first to use the Sharks Teeth on the nose of the P-40?

Neilly

RE: “They think it’s all over…”

He was a pilot with 105 Squadron. I had the honour of trying to find one of his navigators, last year. An excellent pilot, a great commentator & (from what little I know of him personally) very nice person.

Condolences to his family,

Neilly