Flt Lt Roman Hrycak (317) is the pilots name I couldn’t remember at work this afternoon
Miksa’s family (Pilkinton Glass people) won’t reply to my letters, I think there’s some bad blood.
Conni Blok came to Old Hay the year before last, and I have exchanged letters with Michal Najbicz’s son Nick is RSA and also Zdzislaw Uchwat son Mark, in Canada
Yes I have several wartime photographs of her with 315 and 317, including the most common one of her with F/LT Konrad Stembrowicz sat on the cowling with a couple of WAAFs. I’ve also have photo’s of her at Hednesford, Bridgenorth, Church Fenton and Linton.
I would like to track down shots of 58 OTU at Hawarden and any info as to her use by Vickers for testing in 1943.
The pilots that I have been in contact and have met are.
S/Ldr Tadeusz Andersz
Sqn Ldr Luwig Matel
Sqn Ldr Franciszek Kornicki
F/LT Konrad Stembrowicz
W/O Mieczyslaw Matus
F/Lt Czeslaw Tarkowski (Died)
F/Lt Wladyslaw Zajac
there is one other whose name I can’t recall.
Besides the above I’m also in contact with the families of several other pilots who had died prior to my research.
Thanks Voytech,
I have a reasonable amount of info on BM597, including a large photgraphic history. I looked into this for HAC 5 years ago and it’s been an on going project of mine every since. I met with 5 former Polish pilots and at one time was in contact with 8, though in the past few years two have passed away.
Thanks for the info on 58 OTU, at some point I will make a trip to the PRO to have a look at the Unit ORB and records.
WHERE IS THE VULCAN?
I doubt if you’ll be able to miss it, bloody big bat-shaped hairdrier
To save any further confusion.
Meeting places
On the Saturday evening any time after 7:00 at the Red Lion Whittlesford.
On the Sunday Morning between 10.30 and 11.00 meet by the Vulcan hairdrier.
The Raffle will be drawn at the Red Lion on the Sunday evening between 17:30 and 18:00
And as Robbo doesn’t want to see them, I’m going to leave my holiday snaps at home.
Spitfire by name Spit Fire by nature.
Some of them do list serials. Like with the ORBs, it mostly depends on the custom of a particular squadron. Some referred to their aeroplanes by serials, some by codes, some by both, and some by neither. Any particular aircraft you have in mind?
Yes HAC’s Spitfire Vb BM597, flew with both 315 Sqn and 317 Sqn from May 1942 until February 1943, it switched squadron in October 42 (I believe). It also flew with 58 OTU at Hawarden in mid 1944.
The A330 probably didn’t turn up because it’s Nav systems were US and the crew couldn’t find Manchester, so much for modern technology.
Anyway it would have ruined those photographs
He can’t wait to see my photos
I’ll have them at the ready.
The present MRSEN830 and I will be there early, we are staying at the Crown House Hotel, so will only be 5 mins away.
You won’t be able to miss me as most of you will have to take a detor around Cambridge to get past my ample girth.
Instead of saying where shall we meet lets say we are meeting at point X and stick to it. Saves any confusion.
By the Vulcan between 10:30 and 11:00.
All sorts of documents pertaining to the Polish Armed Forces in WWII. Mainly for those based in UK and the Middle East, but also stuff about 1939 and pre-1939 armed forces in Poland.
In terms of aviation, documents of:
Polish squadrons (300-309, 315-318, 663),
Polish wings,
Polish stations in UK,
Polish OTUs (Polish branch of nos. 55, 58, 61 OTU for the fighters, plus no. 18 (Polish) OTU for the bombers)
PAF HQ and Polish liaison offices at the various RAF HQs.
In general, there are more types of documents preserved than for RAF squadrons at Kew. Apart from the usual Operations Record Books there are also Flight Authorisation Books, Unit Flight Log Books, daily orders, Monthly Operational Reports etc. Not all of these survived for all the above units, though. Unfortunately for most users of this forum, a lot of these documents are in Polish.This particular operational tour sheet was attached to one of the fighter squadron’s personnel file.
Do any of the records list particular aircraft serials or is it just personell data records ????
What sort of information is held on file at the Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum?
Yeah – and I remember seeing photos of be-crossed Mitchells over the Eastend too!;) – Nermal
Been at the Cat Nip again then !!!!
Should we ask for photographic evidence?