Coventry Beaufighters

Continuing from my previous thread there is of course the complete dismantled Beaufighter at East Fortune.

If the fuselage could be loaned many people would, I am sure, be glad of the opportunity to view it.

Locally if might get the answer to the question of how many fuselages did Standard build and was it whole fuselages or just noses?

Roger Smith.

I’m very saddened by this news – and I think the UK aircraft preservation movement will be poorer for his passing.

Roger Smith.

Sorry taken so long to add my tuppence worth – have been making enquiries (well, one actually) in the direction of John Berkeley.

“There was no engine, the propellor was rigged on a pole, panels were badly fitted, there were missing parts and the cockpit canopy was makeshift….” and ” a flat substitute canopy and as I recall some rudimentary fake exhausts….”

All these comments by HP111 surely point towards an FSM. John B (at various times owner of several BoB FSMs thinks he may have loaned one out in that area and is digging his files. I will report back if he is able to confirm.

As regards the Meteor – to try and keep the story brief – Meteor Ford sponsored our (Midland Aircraft Preservation Society) first move of EE531 (from RAE Lasham). Purchased for £175 from MoD by means of member loans we had nowhere to put it, and it travelled the UK widely by road before the Midland Air Museum was eventually established at Coventry Airport.

Funny though I don’t remember there also being a Spitfire on display at Meteor Ford at the same time as the Meteor – but my memory never has been good!!

Roger Smith.

Would be nice.

I wonder (for when I win the lottery) what the cost would be of commissioning a new, flyable RE.8 and engine – anyone?

Roger Smith.

I was watching a bit of BBC2’s series “Wartime Farm” a little while ago and they did a section on carrier pigeons. Going on the basis of Britain’s farmers: a) making use of any spare time they might have, b) patriotic duty to fulfil a need of the armed services, c) to earn a bit more. It showed Ruth ?? weaving a pigeon basket and showed an example of the real thing I think.

From this and other things I believe the farmer bred and trained the pigeons and they were kept at his loft until needed and then returned if not. If the pigeon flew home the farmer contacted the military and the message tube collected. Not sure if I’m right though, this method would create delay.

The use of the pigeon would have been on ditching, as Moggy said the Navigator should, hopefully, have noted their position. The pigeon (in basket) would have been taken out of the aircraft into the dinghy – the crew would have been aware (especially if their radio has been un-usable) how important the message would be in locating them. Once in the dinghy the message would be written and the pigeon released. The programme illustrated training by taking a couple of birds out to sea on a yatch and releasing them. I think the time back to the loft was quite short.

I wonder if there are any statistics that list ditched crews that were rescued as a result of the pigeon and message?

The programme also mentioned some pigeons were selected for other duties – use by spies? I do remember hearing elsewhere that German soldiers shot at pigeons fearing they might be carriers. That sounds a bit far-fetched though.

Roger Smith.

Sorry TO during my apprenticeship with Dunlop I had nothing to do with tyres (ecept the little ones on maxarets and the company’s main aircraft tyre store was at the Coventry factory – spent many a lunch-break wandering through there) so fear I can add nothing to this (very learned) discussion 😮

Roger Smith.

If you asked the general public, I would think Bader – and Gibson as a distant second – would be the only names that many could come up with.

I think I agree – if you could fast-forward a hundred years there would be but a few battles “that saved England/Britain” that the general public could quote: Agincourt, Trafalgar, Waterloo and Battle of Britain and for the latter I reckon Bader will be remembered easiest.

Roger Smith.