Middle East Tiffie – new dream?

Having burst one bubble let me blow a new one. How about the other Typhoon that went to the Middle East? There is correspondence at Kew from the Air Attache in Moscow stating he was under pressure to organise examples of the Allies’ “latest types” for the Russians to examine. Eventually it was decided (late in the war) to send an early Mosquito, a Merlin-engined Halifax and a Typhoon! I do not know about the first two but a Typhoon (RB379) was eventually dispatched to Alexandria and prepared at 108 MU, El Firdan. From there it was delivered (via Turkey?) to the USSR on 20 July 1945. But what then? Nothing heard. Perhaps, at the back of a hangar … or wheels-up on some remote tundra … More likely the Ruskies were so hacked off at this ‘latest’ example of Western technology it went straight in the melting pot. But ….
Cranswick

Desert Typhoons; non-survivors

Sorry to burst the bubble. The 3 Typhoons were R8891 (crashed on air test at 107 MU, 7 August 44, Flg Off F.R.Barker killed). DN323 SOC at 161 MU 1 February 1944. EJ906 Cat E (possibly 107 MU) 31 August 1944. Excellent article on the trials in Air International , November 1992, by Aussie enthusiast Mike Flanagan.

They were all fitted with filters which operated when on the ground. Photos of this device are elusive but seems to have been similar if not identical to the filter fitted to the Tempest VI (also camera shy). It is very difficult to see in photos as it was located beneath the centre-section, immediately behind the air intake fairing. I have noticed the device on three late-war Typhoon photos – two of which were in unit service (not R&D) – one of those was an ex-trials aircraft, the other unidentified. Hopefully someone out there knows more?

Cranswick

Warducks … Ducks of Hazard

You’ll make several (thousand) old men very happy..

More on Tim Morice

‘Tim’ Morice was the commanding officer of 121 Airfield (later 121 Wing) from its formation in spring 1943 to December 1944. 121 Wing comprised 174, 175, 245 sqns and was joined by 184 sqn in Normandy. Morice was promoted to Group Captain when the 2nd TAF Wings were reorganised in July 1944. He was awarded a DSO for his work with the Wing. The story goes (from a first-hand source) that when the Wing advanced through northern France, he arrived at the same airfield that Richthofen had taken off from – to shoot him down – in the First world war. He enquired where the Red Baron had parked his aircraft – and then marked the spot in a personal (wet!) way.

I do not know where he was posted after 121 Wing – but a ‘TM’ coded Tempest was seen at Northolt (12 August 45). (Said to be SN212 but this is doubtful as that aircraft was known to be ‘T’ of 3 sqn either side of the date.)
Cranswick

Wg Cdr J.M.Bryan

IWM have a photo of Mike Bryan as a Sqn Ldr, 198 Sqn, examining the damaged wing of his aircraft, ref CH12812. You will find more info in ‘Aces High’ by C.Shores & C.Williams, Grub Street and Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No.27, ‘Typhoon and Tempest Aces of WW2’ by C.Thomas. He was credited with 2 destroyed, plus 4 shared destroyed, 1 shared probable and 2 damaged and was Wg Cdr Flying 136 Wing, Thorney Island, when he was killed.
Cranswick

Desert Tempests

Thanks for the replies gentelman, and please keep the info coming.

The RAF Tempest VIs used in the Middle East certainly did (eventually) wear a ‘desert’ scheme, but the one in the colour illustration is inaccurate. NX125 did serve with 249 Sqn but other sources give its code as ‘X’. The VIs were delivered and flew in Dark Green/Ocean Grey/Medium Sea Grey for a time; many were repainted ‘silver’ but finally (c. August 1949) were repainted in a desert scheme. Strong evidence points to Dark Earth/Light Slate Grey/Medium sea Grey – see ‘Camouflage and markings No.5, RAF Fighters 1945-50 Overseas based’ by Paul Lucas or Model Aircraft Monthly May 2004.