Good call, and I sort of fell for it

From Bill Chorley’s Bomber Command Losses Volume 7:

P/O A J Fawcett RCAF
WO1 J W O’Brien RCAF
F/S F A C Macauley RCAF
P/O H Casimiri RCAF
F/S D H Halstead RCAF
AC1 L Holloway
AC2 D McMillan

Hope this helps.

I find it faintly ironic that there should be such restrictions placed on the museum’s development when there are so many large structures in the adjacent area; and probably many more if the expansion of Gatwick Airport comes to fruition. Baffling.

Forgive my cynicism, but Maid Marian International is not exactly the busiest airport in the UK. I can’t help but feel that they are making something of an issue of the “final flight” and its impact upon their customers’ passengers. Why not just work on the basis of their quietest day and encourage the enthusiasts to come in their thousands, pay to get on site and enjoy the spectacle. It might just keep them solvent for the month.

The chassis number on the TA series was stamped into the near side (left hand) front dumb iron on the chassis, slightly above and behind the front spring mounting. Even on a restored chassis this should be discernible. It would be worth checking this out. This number is also replicated on the makers plate affixed to the front of the under bonnet toolbox on the left side facing forward.

I do note that the photos of this car show it with side laced wire wheels (19″); 1938 models (post chassis 1770) were fitted with 19″ centre laced wheels. A picky point, but……..

There are very few cars of this age that have not been subject to some form of restoration. How original is original? No matter how sympathically this car has been restored, the reality is that Bader’s bum did not grace the (new?) seats and, like so many Spitfires (Supermarine), I would suggest that much of its provenance is based on the chassis/makers plate.

It may well make big numbers, but the pleasure of owning one is in using it. I shall watch with interest.

From: Bomber Squadrons of the RAF, Philip Moyes (1964). “From Jan 1943 to 1951 or thereabouts the sqn used the code letters HW”. This appears to co-incide with 100 re-equipping with Lancasters.

Avro 549 Aldershot

Morning all,

Looks like I took my post a bit too seriously – sorry about that Creaking Door: too much Miles Merlot I fear. Indeed, why have we heard about the Overstrand? As you have suggested our awareness of it is far greater than its importance. No, I haven’t a clue either!

As for the Avro Alderhot, with two prototypes and 15 production aircraft, this large single engined, biplane heavy bomber had its first flight in 1922, entered service with 99 Squadron in 1924 and appears to have left service in 1925, being replaced by the Handley Page Hyderabad (38 aircraft), which lasted in front line service until 1930. (Source: Aircraft of the RAF since 1918 Owen Thetford 8th edition 1987)

Perhaps we should be grateful that Gloster wasn’t based in Norfolk and tempted to use local names. Mind you, I do feel that the Gloster Garboldisham would have had a certain ring to it, and as unpronounceable at the Happisburgh.