Swordfish?

Were my eyes deceiving me or, did I see a Swordfish flying westward over Chichister about 17.30 hrs Saturday 22nd Sept?

GYD

Hi there!

The award of any campaign medal(s) is dependent on the qualifying time period. The Africa Star was awarded for service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 (date of Italy’s declaration of war) and 12 May 1943. The Italy Star was awarded for operations in and around Italy, Sicily, Greece, Yugoslavia, the Aegean area, the Dodecanese islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Elba between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945. Many RAF servicemen may have operated out of North Africa but failed to qualify for Africa Star medal but qualified for the Italy Star instead.

Hope that helps, ?

Martyn
GYD

Another question about the lightning. What is the red frame over the windshield? Been bugging me for ages :p

Hi Fouga,

The red frame is a protective cover that was fitted over the main screen to protect the screen when ever the aircraft was being serviced or worked on in the hangar.

Martyn

What’s the story with the skinless lightning?

Hi Fouga,

Darren’s beaten me to the response as I am writing this!

The ‘skin-less’ Lightning is all that is left from F3 XP757, saved from certain death and oblivion by a now unfortunately defunct ATC Squadron back in the mid 80’s. It was then rescued by Darren Swinn in a very, very naked, stripped and sorry state, then subsequently passed onto me, where I have endevoured to continue the work that Darren originally started, bringing back to life a icon of British aviation history.

I am humbled to report that the judges at this years Cockpitfest jointly gave XP757 the ‘Spirit of Cockpitfest’ award together with ‘Redhillwings’ P63 King Cobra.

May I too, add my thanks to all at Newark for the warm and generous welcome, the atmosphere and fantastic weekend. Somebody said it rained, it didn’t bother me!

Here’s to 2013

Martyn

Another WWII Spade Grip!

Hi All,

As seen on the nightly trawl of ‘items of aviation interest’

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WWII-RAF-Spade-Grip-Control-Column-Top-Dunlop-Ref-AH8090-w-Trigger-Wiring-etc-/250914415028?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item3a6baa21b4#ht_15768wt_1063

Nice pictures! Air Ministry, any thoughts???

Martyn-GYD

Hi Hugh,

The detail’s of Rusty’s demise (and the story behind the identification of his then unmarked grave), is given in the excellent book ‘The Greatest Squadron of them All’ (by David Ross, Bruce Blanche and William Simpson). Page 236 in Vol 1 states that the Squadron records give his loss as between 09.34 and 10.34 hours. It unfortunately does not give any details regarding the exact foe other than ‘combat with II/JG26 over Biggin Hill at 10.00 in Spitfire X4261. Given that Von Werra was from II/JG3 it may seem unlikely it was he who shot down Rusty.

However, Von Werra’s unit was initially attacked by 41 Sqn and ‘Stap-me’ Stapleton caught up with a single 109 (Von Werra’s) forcing it down at Love’s Farm, Marden at 10.10 hrs. Again the Squadron’s F540 recording Stap-me’s combat report at the same time as the report of Rusty’s loss, between 09.34 and 10.34.

Still no clearer I suppose?

Regards,

Martyn

Hi there,

The SWB refers to the ‘Silver Wound Badge’ that was issued to service personnel to wear when back in the UK to avoid any retribution/ill feeling/white feathers etc.etc. from those who might think someone of ‘fighting age’ may be avoiding the slaughter of the front! They are individually numbered, though Officers medals tend not to have any details other than the rank and name impressed on them, unlike OR’s who had service number and regimental details to help us!

Cheers,

Martyn