Just a note that for some reason this has resurfaced on the BBC web site’s “Most Read” list this morning. Any ideas?

Adrian

If Kenneth was from Wickford, he should be in Steve Newman’s book, “Wickford’s Heroes”. I’ll try to have a look tonight.

Adrian

But hey, what’s a P-40 without shark’s teeth?

:D:D:D Good line!

Very nice – I especially like the feel, like a glossy Commando comic cover, which I presume is deliberate.

Adrian

No Ridgenhall Farm, but there on the OS there is a Ridgnalls just north of the Gt Horkesley – Boxted road and if you zoom in it looks suspiciously like a one-time farm with converted barns. Not sure how to link, but just type in Great Horkesley and look for the Boxted Road. Given the East Anglian tendency to swallow vowels, I bet Ridgenhall was pronounced “Ridgnall”.

Unfortunately I can’t see the farm in the 1882 directory, so I can’t see if the acreage is given in the occupants entry in the 1881 census, so no idea of how close to the farm it might have been.

Adrian

Amazing how it changes colour!!!! Grey/green to brown/Green and back to Grey/Green:p

That’s why it’s called “camouflage”!:D

Ray Hanna… the closest we got to an old bold pilot? The worrying thing is that he was higher going under the bridge than he was above Alain de Cadenet!

Imagine, though, a squadron of Lancasters going under the Menai bridges… That must have been a sight for sore eyes.

Adrian

My first introduction to the Martinet’s existence was an After the Battle postcard – are they still available?

Adrian

It’s lovely, but Duxford’s pristine grass makes it look far too ‘chocolate box’ for reality.

I’d guess the IWM would be pretty vexed if you carved up the turf and muddied it all up a bit in your search for authenticity?

Moggy

Maybe, but the basics are all there – a decent Photoshopper should be able to make quite a bit from that. If I was any good I’d have a go myself.

First job would be to tone the colours down a bit, though – the pink on the nose art is practically dayglo!

Adrian