Never been round Hunsdon, which is a bit criminal, coming from just up the road from Harlow and with all the history of the place, however after being chased off Sawbridgeworth as a kid with some of my mates, I decided that cycling to Stansted was a lot easier, a lot more safer (and a hell of a lot more interesting).

One thing I would (and a lot of others no doubt) like to know is what was the code on the Beaufighter that Braham was flying. Nobody Knows!!! its not in any of the records for Coltishall or 141 Sqn. The only place it could most likely be found is with Brahams Log book, which will be with his Family in Canada, or possibly in one of the Canadian museums. Most of his Serrate missions were flown in this aircraft.

Some more

Saw the Halo fly at Farnborough in 1984, its a very impressive beast.

Is that not also Sea Venoms and Seahawks, plus Gannets etc, sorry, mustn’t forget the Navy.

Which ‘Confrontation’ do you mean Bigvern.

I would say your spot on with that one Pete. As for the second part, Indonesia (1962-66, Dates from memory, so I may be incorrect on start, which was nothing to do with Op Firedog).

If were talking British aircraft then what about the Javelin ( 435 built ) which I don’t ‘think’ fired a shot in anger it’s afterburners normally being enough to scare people away during the Malayan Conflict.

P.S. nice username D1566. DGH ( part owner 47105/295/376/401/417 ) 🙂

The Javelin was around for the Confrontation as well, I don’t think it ever did fire a shot in anger, however.

Is there more information about ‘Bob’ Breham? As I can remeber he is the most decorated Commen Wealht Pilot! And also one of the higest scoring one.

29 Kills if memory serves (20 at nignt) 2nd top scoring British nignt fighter pilot. Gongs – DSO, DFC, AFC, CD, Belgian Order of the Crown and Croix de Guerre.

Wing Commander J R D (Bob) Braham was flying a Beaufighter VIf X8147 of 141 Squadron based at Wittering, The squadron’s aircraft had however started the sortie from Coltishall, as part of a large scale Serrate / Intruder mission in support of an attack by Bomber Command attack on Bochum in the Ruhr. The force consisting of 7 Beaufighters of 141 Sqn and 6 Mosquitoes (3 from 25 Sqn and 3 from 410 Sqn). Braham and a Flt Lt Forshaw were the first two pilots to depart in Beaufighters at 1930 hours local (Forshaw at 1930, Braham at 1922). The rest of the force failed to take off as the mission was cancelled soon after due to bad weather, Braham and Forshaw did not receive the recall order and proceeded their patrol areas. Forshaw made no contacts and landed back at Coltishall at 2215 hours local. Braham shot down Geigers Me-110 over the Zuider Zee (time unknown from my source, however I have seen it in the Squadron ORB), he then acquired a Ju88, which he engaged, however the cannons on the Beaufighter jammed and the aircraft escaped. Braham was accompanied in the aircraft by his Navigator/Serrate/AI Mk 4 operator (no idea of the person in the aircraft at the time as Braham usually flew with one of two Navigators while on 141 Squadron.) and a Major McGovern, (the CO of a USAAF P-38 Lightning Squadron that was located at Wittering and was a good friend of Braham) who had gone along for a ride. Braham landed at Coltishall at 2215 after having a close shave with Army light flak as the aircraft crossed the Norfolk coast between Hemsbey and Winterton on the return leg. It was Braham last operational flight with the Squadron as Commanding Officer as he was posted to a staff course shortly after. Geiger was also his 20th night victory, taking his night score above that of the then top scoring British night fighter pilot with John ‘Cats Eyes, Cunningham at the time.

Source of information RAF Coltishall ORB for September 1943 and Braham’s autobiography ‘Scramble’ (Published as Night Fighter in the US) which was written in 1961.

Update D*** You. (Sorry boys and girls, curse is at the forum database, not you), Firebird, your last post on this seems to be missing.

Bill Gunston’s Russian Aircraft has 900 Tu-4 Bull. Doesn’t count if you reckon it as B-29. The answer must be a USSR type whose production run is vague – has every Sukhoi type fought?

Do not think the Su-11 Fishpot was ever exported, the same for the Tu-128 Flidder (and most likely have never shoot at anything in anger, unless they have got an overflight kill, which is I think is unlikely). SU-15 Flagon has fired weapons in anger (killed a Korean Air 747 in 1983). Has the SU-27 ever been in Combat?

Hiya,

Found a video host so was able to upload my Roman Candle video from Warbirds Over Wanaka…

Enjoy…

(Warning, it’s 16MB)

http://www.zippyvideos.com/6629089734883476/f111_burn/

Cheers
TNZ

Nice