Donated in memory of Sgt Walter Perkins. (flew in 214 Sqn Stirlings and died in a Jossle Op Fortress III).

I wonder if Lindsay Budge recalls a 214 Sqn colleague Sgt Walter Perkins, Air Gunner (Waist position) who was lost on the night of the 21/03/1945 in Fortress III HB785 BU.A.

John

Am I right in thinking that this might be an RR. Falcon prop of a Bristol Fighter The Blue bands I think are to denote that this is a left hand rotation. Falcons were produced in both Right an left handed versions. (as also were Eagles) A similar prop is fitted to the F.2b in the RAF Museum.

John

The wings would be no problem to remove. Yes the Hunters based for a while at Wymeswold were Hunter 5’s with Sapphire engines. If my memory isn’t playing tricks I seem to recall one of the Sqns with F.5’s was No. 257 with the Chinthe (A Burmese lion) badge. It is 60 years ago. The Avon Hunters were cartridge started, not sure about the Sapphire ones.

John

Yes the F.5 was taken at Newton. It certainly hadn’t landed there as it was still a grass airfield. I remember at the Airshow at Wymeswold one hangar was full of Hunter F.5’s. and the other hangar was 504 Meteors. I wondered if this Hunter could have come from Wymeswold.

Steve. I have had a glass on the picture and I think I can just discern a curved top to the letter on the fin.

John

The guys are my brother in the cockpit, me and my pal Derek and we had just walked through the sparse hedge.

I’ve just played with the contrast on a copy and I think the nose door letter might be an O. Another play and Yes it’s an O.

AOG = Aircraft on Ground. In other words can’t return to base until fixed. I too remember the Airshow at Wymeswold. A long bike ride from Calverton but worth it to see the Hunter 5’s, 504’s Meteor 8’s, the Thunderbirds Thunderjets and the Attackers and the Dart Kitten.
I wonder if this was your Hunter. Taken at Newton circa 1960.

John

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I’m pleased we agree that the whole batch of Wapiti V’s will be the short fuselage types. I think a simple answer to the choice of Jupiter engine types is that the large prop, geared engines were more efficient in India in the hotter temperatures and higher altitudes that the Wapiti encountered there. Glad to help.

John