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No.501 Sqn RAF |
Name : No.501 Sqn RAF Founded : 14th June 1929 Disbanded : 10th March 1957 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 More Details : County of Gloucester, City of Bristol (Auxiliary) Nil time - Fear nothing |
Known Service Details : | |||||||
Pilot or Aircrew | Rank | Start of Service | End of Service | Known Dates | Aircraft | Airframes | Notes |
sgt Pilot | 17th July 1940 | 6th September 1940 | 06th September 1940 | On the 6th Sept he was shot down and killed in action over Ashford. His aircraft, Hurricane V6612, crashed at Clavertye, near Elham. Killed in Action | |||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 02nd September 1940 | Killed in Action | |||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 24th August 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 10th May 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 7th October 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 18th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 22nd February 1944 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 5th June 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 27th July 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 02nd December 1940 | ||||
Captain | unknown | 25th February 1944 | Killed in Action | ||||
Flying Officer | unknown | unknown | 23rd May 1944 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 11th July 1940 | |||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 31st July 1940 | |||||
Sergeant | unknown | 17th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 27th September 1940 | ||||
Flight Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 04th January 1944 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 15th October 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | August 1940 | unknown | |||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | unknown | 15th August 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 31st August 1940 | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 25th October 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
July 1940 | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 29th August 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 8th November 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 27th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | January 1940 | unknown | 03rd June 1940 | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 12th July 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Squadron Leader | unknown | unknown | 17th September 1940 | ||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | unknown | 12th May 1940 | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | 6th June 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 6th September 1940 | |||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 8th June 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 19th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Sergeant | unknown | 4th January 1944 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 18th August 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | September 1939 | unknown | 29th August 1940 | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 18th August 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 8th June 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
1939 | 1940 | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 12th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 25th October 1940 | 07th October 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | 12th May 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 1st November 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 18th August 1940 | ||||
16th September 1940 | 25th September 1940 | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 29th October 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 21st July 1940 | 20th July 1940 | Killed in Action | |||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | 28th November 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 6th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 11th September 1940 | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | unknown | 15th August 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 12th May 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 2nd September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 18th September 1940 | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 02nd September 1940 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | 12th May 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | 7th May 1940 | ||||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | 18th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | unknown | 20th July 1940 | ||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | unknown | 23rd May 1944 | ||||
Flight Officer | unknown | unknown | |||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 24th August 1940 | 18th August 1940 | Killed in Action |
Pilots and Aircrew for : No.501 Sqn RAF | ||||||||||
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | ||||||||||
Name | Info | |||||||||
Adams, Hugh Charles Click the name above to see a profile of Adams, Hugh Charles
| Adams, Hugh Charles Killed September 6th 1940. Killed while flying Hurricane (V6612) at 9am over Ashford Kent. The aircraft crashed at Eltham. He is buried in the north-west part of Tandridge churchyard. Son of John Coker Adams, and Grace Adams, of Chaddleworth, Berkshire. He was 22. | |||||||||
Adams, Hugh Charles Click the name above to see a profile of Adams, Hugh Charles
| Adams, Hugh Charles Joined 501 Squadron after completing training on the 17th July 1940 as a Sergeant-Pilot. On the 2nd Sept he destroyed a Me109 and was then himself shot down in combat south of Ashford in Hurricane V7234. On the 6th Sept he was shot down and killed in action over Ashford. His aircraft, Hurricane V6612, crashed at Clavertye, near Elham. | |||||||||
Aldridge, K. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Aldridge, K. R. | Aldridge, K. R. Pilot Officer K.R.Aldridge of No 501 Squadron on August 24th 1940. Pilot Officer Aldridge baled out of his Hurricane I (L1865) following combat with a Bf 109 over West Kingsdown. He was injured and sustained a broken arm. | |||||||||
Angus, Allan Benjamin Click the name above to see a profile of Angus, Allan Benjamin
| Angus, Allan Benjamin Flight Officer Allan Benjamin Angus of No.501 Squadron force-landed his Hurricane (N2472) on May 10th 1940 following combat with a Ju88 near Celles-Edcanaf. Angus was killed on May 16th when flying in Hurricane (L1641), he was shot down by Me109 south-west of Lille. He was aged 22 and buried at Fretin, France. His Distinguished Flying Cross was gazetted on 31st May 1940 with the following entry : This officer has shown great determination in taking every opportunity of engaging the enemy and pressing home his attacks. He took part in an inconclusive attack on a Junkers 88 which resulted in serious damage to the enemy aircraft. His own aircraft was hit and as a result he had to fore land in Belgium. Acting on his own initiative he rejoined the squadron in a few hours. In May, while on patrol, he intercepted and shot down in flames a Heinkel 111, and on the same patrol took part in shooting down a second enemy aircraft of the same type with Flying Officer [W.G.] David. | |||||||||
Barry, N. J. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Barry, N. J. M.
| Barry, N. J. M. Flight Officer N.J.M.Barry of No 501 Squadron Hurricane I (V6800) was shot down and killed on the 7th of October 1940 near Wrotham, Kent. | |||||||||
Berry, Joseph Click the name above to see a profile of Berry, Joseph
| Berry, Joseph Joseph Berry was born 28th February 1920. Father was Arthur Joseph and mother Mary Rebecca Charlton. He had a brother and sister, Jack and Ivy. He lived at 55 Ramsey St, Cassop cum Quarrington, Teesdale (12 miles east of Crook, Co Durham). Later he moved to Stampeth Nr Alnwick (Northumberland) where from 1931 to 1936 he attended the Duke Grammar School. Leaving school in 1936 as a 16 year old Joe moved into lodgings in Carlton, Nottingham for his work in the Inland Revenue, two years later he met Joyce who was working at the same branch. Joe enlisted in the RAFVR in August 1940, and in March 1942 Joe and Joyce were married. Little is known of Joseph Berry's early service. On completion of training as a Fighter Pilot he was posted to 256 Squadron at Squires Gate Nr Blackpool, this was a Night Fighter Squadron flying Defiants, on one occasion having to bail out of his stricken aircraft (letter code JT). He was commissioned in March 1942 at Squires Gate, this Squadron was then transferred to Woodvale, South Port flying Beaufighters. Joseph was initially posted to Lyneham in Kent where he and fellow pilot Bryan Wild caught a train to Filton, Bristol to collect their brand new Beaufighters, later flying them to Setif, in the Atlas Mountains. This area in North Africa was a pilot pool, where air crew from the U.K. awaited posting to their various squadrons in the region; Casablanca to Tunisia costal area. After 3 weeks they were called to join 153 Squadron at Maison-Blanche Algiers. 153 Squadron was formed at Ballyhalbert on the 14th October 1941, from A flight of 256 Squadron with Boulton Paul Defiants 1s. It had previously been disbanded following the first world war. It became operational in December 1941 as a night fighter squadron, but it was not until January 1942 that they converted to Beaufighter Mk 1s. Throughout the summer of 1942 the squadron carried out night patrols, and in September their role extended to convoy patrols, in December 1942, 153 Squadron moved to Algiers to become operational on Christmas Day. It retained its role through to July 1943 with the night defence of the Algiers and Bone areas. Gradually, throughout this period, the squadron's role extended to convoy escort work. As the Sicilian campaign got under way, 153 Squadron remained in North Africa carrying out convoy escort work (letter code TB). The main duty of this Night-fighter unit was to repel German aircraft from attacking convoys in the Mediterranean, on the Gibraltar to Suez route. By Jan 1943 he and his observer, a Newcastle man called Ian Watson, were flying Beaufighters as a night fighter pilot with 255 Squadron in the Mediterranean. On the 15th of November the aircraft were flown to Maison Blanche in Algeria. Detachments flew from Bone, Setif, Souk el Arba, Souk el Khemis, and Tingley. August brought a move to Western Sicily, where sorties were flown over the Salerno invasion fleet and beachhead in September. This is where Joseph opened his account; shooting down three enemy aircraft, on the 9th September a Messerschmitt Me210, the 10th September another Me210 over the Salerno area, and on 24th October a Junkers Ju88 over the Naples area, and the second occasion in which he had to bail out of his aircraft (letter code YD). On the 3rd of October 1943 while serving with 255 Squadron in the Mediterranean, Joe was involved in the Great E-Boat Raid at Cos (Greece). 60 aircraft were involved; several Beaufighter and 1 Beafort Squadron attacked the German Invasion Force North of the Allied occupied Island. The German invasion force consisted of several large vessels used as Troop Ships, Destroyers, E-Boats and Landing Barges. The attack had mixed results, due to heavy enemy fire and bad weather with head winds on the return journey; the Squadrons took overall losses of 27%. The Beaufighter had a range of 370 miles, and due to heavy fuel consumption 25 got back, most of the others ditched or were shot down. He was awarded a DFC in March 1944. In June of that year, promoted Flt.Lt., he was posted to the FIU and flying Mosquitos. FIU formed a special flight of Tempests to intercept the V1s which had begun falling on south-east England, this flight operating mainly by night. Over the next two months Joseph was to establish himself as the top-scorer against these robots in Tempest, shooting down 52 and one shared by early August. On 23 July he set the record, claiming seven in one night. Four nights later he pursued one at low level over West Malling airfield, closing to 100 feet in order to ensure he destroyed it before it fell on the base. His own aircraft was damaged in the resultant explosion. To his obvious chagrin on this occasion it was decided that he had to share this success with the crew of a Mosquito who had opened fire from 1,000 yards, and in the opinion of FIU had missed hopelessly. On 16 August 1944 the Tempest flight moved to Manston to reform 501 Squadron, of which Berry became commanding officer. The unit continued to hunt V1s, and he personally accounted for seven more, receiving a Bar to his DFC during September. During the night of 27/28 September, with the V1 threat mainly negated by the Allied advance in France, he led two Tempests on a Ranger sortie over Holland, strafing trains. From Bradwell Bay before dawn at 05-35 on the 1st of October flying his Tempest SD-F he led a Ranger sortie with F/Lt E.L. Willy Williams SD-L and F/Lt C.A. Horry Hansen SD-H to attack ground targets of opportunity between Bad Zwischenhan in Northern Germany, a He111 airfield; and a nearby rail yard where trains transporting V1s to these airfields and launch sites could be found, and any other He111 airfields or enemy targets of opportunity from there to the Rhine. But while flying fast and low to their target; bursts of small arms fire from a German soldier, stationed at the German Radar Site Gazzelle just East of Veendam unluckily struck Joseph's Tempest rupturing his glycol tank, struggling to control his stricken aircraft, eye witness reports say; that he increased his height to 500ft presumably in an attempt to bail out, leaving a glycol vapour trail in his wake; he radioed to his fellow pilots I've had it chaps; you go on. Just over 2 miles to the East of Gazelle Joseph's plane crashed in flames in Kibbelgaarn, a small hamlet 4 ½ miles South of Sheemda. The two other pilots circled the crash site a couple of times to see if their commanding officer had survived the impact, and then carried on their mission. Two inhabitants of Kibblegarrn; Mr A.Jager who was the head teacher of the village junior school that Joseph's airplane had just narrowly missed, and Mr S. de Lange were the first to reach the crash site, they pulled the dead pilot from the blazing wreckage, desperately trying to extinguish the flames from his uniform, the name of the pilot at that time was unknown as his identity tags were destroyed in the blaze. The only clue to his identity was a small metal medicine box and a cigarette case with the initials JB engraved on it. Two hours later the Germans arrived. Joseph was buried in a quiet plot in nearby Scheemda, on the simple wooden cross were written the words, Unknown RAF Pilot. The remaining two pilots returned home safely at 09-25 reporting attacks on four trains, leaving them smoking and steaming. Three trains were reported attacked between the River Gruis and Dummer Lake, and the fourth train attacked 12 miles east of Zwolle. His total of V1s has been put at 60, but recorded claims appear to indicate 59 ½. He was awarded a second Bar to his DFC on the 20th January 1946, back dated to October 1944. | |||||||||
Blair, Ian Click the name above to see a profile of Blair, Ian
| Blair, Ian Ian Blair joined 113 Squadron in 1938 as a AC1/Armourer AG. on Hawker Hind and later Blenheim Mk 1s. He took part in the heavy fighting of the first Lybian campaign. He was forced to take control and fly the Blenheim airceaft after his pilot was killed following an attack by an Italian Fiat CR 42. Remarkably he managed not only to evade the enemy aircraft, but fly to fly the Blenheim 350 miles back to his base where he made a succesful textbook landing. This extraordinary action earned him the award of an immediate DFM. The experience led him to train as a pilot at No 4 SFTS RAF Habbaniya, where the No 6 War Course were heavily engaged in operations to raize the siege of the base from the Iraqi Army. He was finally awarded his wings in May 1941. On return to the UK he served with 501 Squadron on combat duties on Spitfire Mk V's until injured as a result of enemy action. On return to flying duties he was posted to 602 Squadron flying MkV's and MkIX's until June 1944. In February 1944, he claimed a high altitude victory by destroying a Me.109 F at an altitude of 35,000 feet, flying a Spitfire Mk.VII H.F. | |||||||||
Bland, J. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Bland, J. W.
| Bland, J. W. Pilot Officer J.W.Bland was part of No 501 Squadron. He was one of 4 Hurricane's from the Squadron shot down over Canterbury by Gerhard Schöpfel of III Gruppe of JG 26 flying a Bf 109 on 18th of August 1940.Bland was killed in his Hurricane I (P3208). | |||||||||
Cheeseman, S. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Cheeseman, S. H.
| Cheeseman, S. H. Killed on 22nd February 1944 after he lost control of his Spitfire Mk.Vb BL311 of No.501 Sqn which crashed 10 miles south west of Walcheren. He baled out but was killed. | |||||||||
Claydon, A. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Claydon, A. J.
| Claydon, A. J. Pilot Officer A.J.Claydon of No.501 Squadron was killed on June 5th of 1940 when his Hurricane (P3450) was shot down near Le Mans. He was 28 and buried in St Sever Cemetery in Rouen. | |||||||||
Cox, P. A. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Cox, P. A. N.
| Cox, P. A. N. Flight Officer P.A.N.Cox of No 501 Squadron was shot down and killed whilst on patrol in his Hurricane I (P3808) off Dover on the 27th of July 1940. | |||||||||
Crabtree, D. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Crabtree, D. B. | Crabtree, D. B. | |||||||||
Currant, Christopher Click the name above to see a profile of Currant, Christopher
| Currant, Christopher Pilot Officer Christopher Currant was posted from No 151 Squadron to No 605 Squadron flying a Hurricane. He shot down 9 enemy aircraft during September and October 1940 and was awarded the D.F.C. He later became a Squadron Commander and saw a lot more action. | |||||||||
Dafforn, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Dafforn, R. C.
| Dafforn, R. C. Flight Officer R.C.Dafforn of No 501 Squadron baled out of his Hurricane I (R4219) on the 18th of August 1940 after combat over Biggin Hill. He was unhurt. | |||||||||
Delange, P G Click the name above to see a profile of Delange, P G
| Delange, P G Killed on 25th February 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.Vb BL344 SD-R of No.501 Sqn suffered engine failure during an Air Sea Rescue mission 30 miles south of Beachy Head. He baled out but did not survive. | |||||||||
Deleuze, R C Click the name above to see a profile of Deleuze, R C | Deleuze, R C On 23rd May 1944 his Spitfire Mk.Vb BM593 SD-Q of No.501 Sqn returned safley after being hit and damaged by flak in the Bateux area. | |||||||||
Dixon, F. J. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Dixon, F. J. P.
| Dixon, F. J. P. Sergeant F.J.P.Dixon of No 501 Squadron died on the 11th of July 1940. He baled out of his Hurricane (N2485) but was drowned after being shot down, he was aged 21. Sgt F.P.J.Dixon is buried at Abbeville, France. | |||||||||
Don, R. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Don, R. S.
| Don, R. S. Pilot Officer R.S.Don of No 501 Squadron was injured after he baled out of his Hurricane I (P3648) on the 31st of July 1940. He had been in combat near Dover. | |||||||||
Duckenfield, Byron Click the name above to see a profile of Duckenfield, Byron
| Duckenfield, Byron Byron Duckenfield started at Flying Training School on 25th November 1935 in a Blackburn B2 at Brough. As a Sergeant, he joined No.32 Sqn at Biggin Hill on 8th August 1936 and flew Gauntlets and Hurricanes. He joined 74 Squadron at Hornchurch on 11th April 1940, flying Spitfires, and on 5th May was posted to 501 Squadron flying Hurricanes at Tangmere. On the 11th of May at Betheniville, he survived a crash in a passenger transport Bombay aircraft in an aircraft in which he was a passenger, While comin ginto land the aircraft at 200 feet the aircraft stalled and the aircrfat fell backwards just levelly out as it histhe ground. 5 of th epassengers were killed when the centre section collapsed and crushed them. Duckenfield was fortunate as he had moved position during the flight. as the two passengers sitting each side of where he was sitting had died in the crash. (it was found later that the Bombay had beeb loaded with to much weight in the aft sectiion. ) recovering in hospital in Roehampton. On 23rd July 1940, he rejoined No.501 Sqn at Middle Wallop, then moved to to Gravesend two days later, scoring his first victory, a Ju87, on the 29th of July 1940. During August and September he scored three more victories. After a spell as a test pilot from 14th September 1940, he was posted to command 66 Squadron on 20th December 1941, flying Spitfires. On 26th February 1942 he took command of 615 Squadron flying Hurricanes from Fairwood Common, taking the squadron to the Far East. In late December 1942 he was shot down in Burma and captured by the Japanese. He remained a POW until release in May 1945. After a refresher course at the Flying Training School in November 1949, he took command of No.19 Squadron flying Hornets and Meteors from Chruch Fenton. After a series of staff positions, he retired from the RAF as a Group Captain on 28th May 1969. Duckenfield would write later his details : Burma At first light, 12 Hurricanes IIC aircraft of 615 Squadron, myself in the lead, took off from Chittagong for central Burma to attack the Japanese air base at Magwe, 300 miles away on the banks of the River Irrawaddy. Arriving at Yenangyaung, we turned downstream at minimum height for Magwe, 30 miles to the South and jettisoned drop tanks. Just before sighting the enemy base, the squadron climbed to 1200 feet and positioned to attack from up sun. On the ramp at the base, in front of the hangers, were 10 or 12 Nakajima KI - 43 Oscars in a rough line up (not dispersed) perhaps readying for take. These aircraft and the hangars behind them were attacked in a single pass, before withdrawing westward at low level and maximum speed. A few minutes later perhaps 20 miles away form Magwe, I was following the line of a cheung (small creek), height about 250 feet, speed aboput 280 mph, when the aircraft gave a violent shudder, accompanied by a very lound, unusual noise. The cause was instantly apparent: the airscrew has disappeared completely, leaving only the spinning hub. My immediate reaction was to throttle back fully and switch off to stop the violently overspeeding engine. Further action was obvious: I was committed to staying with the aircraft because, with a high initial speed, not enough height to eject could be gained without the help of an airscrew. So I jettisoned the canopy and acknowledged gratefully the fact that I was following a creek; the banks of either side were hillocky ground, hostile to a forced landing aircraft. Flying the course of the creek, I soon found the aircraft to be near the stall (luckily, a lower than normal figure without an airscrew) extended the flaps and touched down wheels-up with minimum impact ( I have done worse landings on a smooth runway!) My luck was holding, if one can talk of luck in such a situation. December is the height of the dry season in that area and the creek had little water, it was shallow and narrow at the point where I came down: shallow enough to support the fusalage and narrow enough to support wing tips. So I released the harness, pushed the IFF Destruct switch, climed out and walked the wing ashore, dryshod. The question may occur -Why did not others in the squadron see their leader go down? - the answer is simple, the usual tatctic of withdrawal from an enemy target was to fly single at high speed and low level on parallel courses until a safe distance from target was attained. Then, the formation would climb to re-assemble. Having left the aircraft, I now faced a formidable escape problem? I was 300 miles from friendly territory: my desired route would be westward but 80% of that 300 miles was covered by steep north-south ridges impenetrably clothed in virgin jungle; these were natural impediments, there was also the enemy to consider. Having thought over my predicament, I decided the best I could do - having heard reports of mean herted plainspeope - was to get as far into the hills as possible and then find a (hopefully sympathetic) village. I suppose I may have covered about 15 miles by nightfall when I came upon this small hill village and walked into the village square. Nobody seemed surprised to see me (I suspect I had been followed for some time) I wa given a quiet welcome, seated at a table in the open and given food. Then exhaustion took over, I fell asleep in the chair and woke later to find myself tied up in it. Next day I was handed over to a Japanese sergeant and escort who took me back to Magwe and, soon after that, 2.5 years captivity in Rangoon jail. Sadly we have learned that Byron Duckenfield passed away on 19th November 2010.
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Egan, E. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Egan, E. J.
| Egan, E. J. Sergeant E.J.Egan was posted to No 615 Squadron from No 600 Squadron on the 27th of August 1940, then to No 501 Squadron on the 13th of September 1940. Sergeant Egan was shot down in flames at 15:40hrs over Ashford on the 17th of September 1940 and recorded as "missing", he was aged 19. His Hurricane I (P3820) remains could not be located. | |||||||||
Ekins, V. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Ekins, V. H. | Ekins, V. H. Sergeant V.H.Ekins of No 501 Squadron was in combat when he baled out of his Hurricane I (V6672) after being attacked over Godstone in Surrey on the 27th of September 1940. He was unhurt. | |||||||||
Fairbanks, David Click the name above to see a profile of Fairbanks, David
| Fairbanks, David Spitfire and Tempest pilot. Serving with No.3 Sqn and No274 Sqn RCAF, he claimed many enemy aircraft, including two Me109s and another damaged during one sortie. On one occasion, his Tempest was hit at low altitude and flipped upside down on fire. Where this would have meant disaster for most pilots, Fairbanks flew the aircraft inverted for a time before righting it, and by doing so put out the fire, which had already damaged his aircraft. After this he successfully returned to base. Later he was shot down and taken prisoner until the end of the war. He passed away in 1975. Citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross, gazetted 16th March 1945 : Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks has completed a large number of sorties and has set a fine example of determination and devotion to duty throughout. On one occasion in November 1944, whilst attacking an enemy locomotive, his aircraft was badly hit and turned completely over while at a low altitude. One of the petrol tanks was pierced and a fire commenced in one of the wings. Displaying admirable coolness and great skill, Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks succeeded in righting the aircraft and set course for home. The fire in the wing died down but not before it had done much damage. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks succeeded in reaching base. This officer has invariably displayed a high degree of courage. Citation for the Bar to the DFC, gazetted 13th April 1945 : This officer continues to display a high standard of skill and gallantry. Within recent weeks he has destroyed five enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to eight. Flight Lieutenant Fairbanks has also effectively attacked many enemy targets on the ground. His keenness and determination have set a high example to all. Citation for the Bar to the DFC, gazetted 14th September 1945 : Squadron Leader Fairbanks has destroyed fifteen enemy aircraft. On two separate occasions since his last award he has shot down two aircraft in one sortie and in less than a fortnight he has destroyed six, including a jet propelled aircraft. As a flight and then a squadron commander he has led many daring and highly successful attacks on enemy communications, principally locomotives and road transport. In three weeks seventy-two enemy locomotives and vehicles were successfully attacked. By the excellent example he has set, his initiative and fine leadership, this officer has inspired the other members of his squadron and all pilots with whom he has come in contact. | |||||||||
Farnes, Paul Click the name above to see a profile of Farnes, Paul | Farnes, Paul Paul Farnes was born in Boscombe, Hampshire, July 16, 1918. He joined the RAFVR in April 1938 and is mobilized in July 1939 before being posted to 501 Squadron, 14 September 1939. He accompanied the Squadron when it was sent to France in May 1940, winning his first victories in the campaign of France and during the Battle of Britain. In October, he was awarded the DFM after eight victories and was promoted to officer the following month. In February 1941 he was transferred to 57 OTU as an instructor and then to 73 OTU in November, in Aden. In late February 1942, he was posted to 229 Squadron in North Africa as Flight Commander. On March 27, 1942, he flew to Malta with the rest of the Squadron aboard the Hurricane IIc BN122. After a period of intense and difficult battles in which defenders of the island will lose many fighters, during which he took command of the Squadron, he returned to Egypt with the survivors of his unit May 27, 1942. He then transferred to Iraq where he joined the Headquarters and remained there until March 1945. He then returned to Great Britain and three weeks after upgrading to the UTO 53, he took command of 124 Squadron, a position he held until the end of the war. He joined the Tangmere before making command of 611 Squadron equipped Mustang IV July 7, 1945. In August, the Squadron was disbanded and it supports the 164 Squadron with Spitfire IX. 63 Squadron was designated in August 1946. In January 1947, he became an officer of Liaison with training centres with the Air Ministry until October 1948. He then became an instructor in various centres. He continued his career in the RAF until 1958 and left active service with the rank of Wing Commander. He returned to his civilian career in the industry. | |||||||||
Farrow, R E Click the name above to see a profile of Farrow, R E | Farrow, R E On 4th January 1944, his Spitfire Vb AB186 SD-P of No.501 Sqn was damaged in combat with aircraft of JG26. He managed to get the aircraft back to base. | |||||||||
Fenemore, S. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Fenemore, S. A.
| Fenemore, S. A. Sergeant S.A.Fenemore of No.501 Squadron was killed on October 15th 1940. His Hurricane (V6722) was shot down by a Me109 over Redhill. He was 20. | |||||||||
Gent, R. J. K. Click the name above to see a profile of Gent, R. J. K.
| Gent, R. J. K. Sergeant R.J.K.Gent was flew with both No 32 Squadron and No 501 Squadron. Gent was posted from No 32 Squadron to No 501 Squadron in late August. Sergeant R.J.K.Gent was killed in a flying accident January 2nd 1941, he was 24. | |||||||||
Gibson, John Click the name above to see a profile of Gibson, John
| Gibson, John Flight Lieutenant J.A.A.Gibson from No 501 Squadron baled out of his Hurricane (P3582) safely following combat near Hawkinge on August 15th 1940. Gibson was awarded the DFC and the DSO. He passed away on the 1st July 2000. | |||||||||
Glowacki, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Glowacki, A. | Glowacki, A. Sergeant Antoni Glowacki from Poland flew Hurricane's with No 501 Squadron. He was injured on the 31st of August 1940. His Hurricane's No P3208 'SDT' was shot down near Gravesend and he baled out. His last rank whilst in the R.A.F. was Squadron Leader. | |||||||||
Goth, V. Click the name above to see a profile of Goth, V.
| Goth, V. Pilot Officer V.Goth of No 501 Squadron was killed on October 25th 1940 when his Hurricane I (P2903) was involed in a collision with Pilot Officer K.W.Mackenzie's Hurricane (V6806) during combat over Tenterden, Kent. | |||||||||
Green, Bill Click the name above to see a profile of Green, Bill
| Green, Bill In December 1936, Bill Green joined the Auxiliary Air Force as an aero engine fitter with 501 Squadron at Filton, near Bristol. Shortly before the start of the Second World War, he was given a rare chance for an engine fitter. In 1938 he joined a scheme to recruit NCO pilots, qualifying as a Flight Sergeant and re-joined 501 at Bristol in July 1940. Sgt Bill Green had completed just 10 hours of dual flying – with an instructor. In October, he was sent for further flying instruction and on October 30th he had his first solo flight in a Magister aircraft. After more training – and getting married on June 3rd – he flew a Hurricane for the first time on August 8th 1940, when the Battle of Britain had been raging for a month. He flew from Kenley throughout the Battle of Britain until November, surviving being shot down twice, before being posted to 504 Squadron. After a spell instructing on Spitfires and Tomahawks, he converted to Typhoons, and from November 1944 served with 56 Squadron on Tempests. He flew more than 50 missions in Tempest fighter aircraft with 56 Squadron. He was shot down over Germany on February 22nd 1945 and spent the last three months of the war as a prisoner of war. After the war, Green enjoyed a hugely successful business career, ending up as the managing director and chairman of Crown Paints, before retiring on his 60th birthday. Flight Lieutenant Bill Green, who has died aged 97, was twice shot down flying a Hurricane during the Battle of Britain; five years later he was taken prisoner after again being shot down, this time over Germany. Green had less than 200 hours' flying time, and just seven hours in the Hurricane, when he joined No 501 Squadron and was pitched into the fighting at the height of the Battle of Britain in August 1940. On August 24, flying from Hawkinge in Kent, his squadron was scrambled to intercept a raid against the nearby airfield at Manston. Green closed in to attack an enemy dive-bomber when his aircraft was hit by the airfield's anti-aircraft fire. His Hurricane was badly damaged and the engine stopped – but he managed to glide to Hawkinge, where he discovered half the undercarriage had been shot away. He crash-landed and scrambled from the wrecked aircraft. Five days later his squadron was orbiting over Deal at 20,000ft when a large force of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters attacked the formation. The windscreen of Green's aircraft was shattered and the engine damaged. With no control, he was forced to bail out. His parachute failed to stream correctly and the main canopy became entangled around his legs. He fought to release it and fell thousands of feet before it finally opened fully. Within seconds he hit the ground. He had been wounded in the leg and his days in the Battle were over. The son of a regular soldier, William James Green was born in Bristol on April 23 1917 and attended St Gabriel School. He left at 14 to work in a cardboard box factory specialising in packages for shoes and small goods, there he met the girl who would become his wife. Green was an enterprising boy and he designed a new, larger box. Receiving no encouragement from his manager, he took it to Mardon, Son & Hall, where he was offered a job. The company encouraged workmen to join auxiliary military units, and Green joined No 501 Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force, stationed at nearby Filton. He trained as an aero-engine fitter and two years later volunteered to be a pilot. He was mobilised at the beginning of the war and completed his training before returning to No 501. After recovering from his wounds, he was posted to No 504 Squadron, based at Filton. One night he was cycling home when German bombers attacked Bristol in force and the city suffered heavy damage. Over the next few days Green flew standing patrols over the city and on a number of occasions chased enemy bombers away. He spent three years as a flying instructor before, in late 1944, joining No 56 Squadron, flying the RAF's most powerful piston-engine fighter, the Tempest. The squadron was based at Volkel in the Netherlands and he flew low-level strafing attacks against trains, motor transport and supply columns. On February 22 1945 he came under fire from two friendly fighters but evaded them, only to be shot down near Osnabruck by intense anti-aircraft fire. I should have zigged when I zagged he said later. Green bailed out and was captured. His prison camp near Nuremberg was soon evacuated and the PoWs marched south to Stalag 7A, a large camp at Moosburg near Munich. On April 29 the US Seventh Army liberated that camp, and within two weeks Green was back in England. He was released from the RAF in December and received the Air Efficiency Award. Green returned to the cardboard box industry, then, in 1960, joined Reed International, rising to be chairman. Green admired the work of the Salvation Army and achieved great contentment in religious activities. In June 2012, aged 95, he flew in a two-seat Spitfire from Goodwood airfield. Bill Green married, in 1940, Bertha Biggs; she died in 2008, and he is survived by their son and daughter. Flight Lieutenant Bill Green, born April 23 1917, died on November 7 2014. | |||||||||
Green, T W Terry Click the name above to see a profile of Green, T W Terry | Green, T W Terry Trained by the United States Army in Georgia and Alabama. He was awarded his wings in March 1942 and joined 501 Sqdn at Middle Wallop later that year. He was posted overseas when 501 were rested in Northern Ireland. He joined 232 Sqdn in North Africa in March 1943 and stayed with them through Tunisia on to Malta to cover the invasion of Sicily and then on to Sicily to cover the invasion of Italy at Salerno. The Squadron then flew their Spitfires some 2,500 miles to the north of Syria on the Turkish border to cover what Churchill called the invasion of the soft underbelly of Europe. Since this was aborted they moved back to Corsica to cover the invasion of the south of France at Frejus. They stayed in France until September 1944 where the Squadron was disbanded after handing over their Spitfires to the Free French Air Force. Finally, Terry was posted to 1675 Heavy Conversion Unit at Abu Sueir, Egypt for fighter affiliation duties with aircrews converting from twins to B24 Liberators. He was demobilised in June 1945 and carried on as a weekend flyer in the RAF Volunteer Reserve at Woodley and Fairoaks until 1952. | |||||||||
Green, W. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Green, W. J. | Green, W. J. In December 1936, Flt. Lt. Green had joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as an engine fitter and later trained as a Hurricane pilot and joined No.501 Sqn on 19th August 1940. Flight Lieutenant Green had flown a total of only 5 hours on Hurricanes and had only flown one for the first time the day before going into action on 20th August 1940. Flt Lt Green flew Hurricanes for only 9 days during the Battle of Britain, between the 20th and 29th August, 1940. During this period in the Battle of Britain green was shot down twice: the first time on 24th August 1940, crash landing his Hurricane at Hawkinge and on the 29th August over Deal in Kent. Green baled out of his Mk.I Hurricane carrying code R4223 off Folkestone. Flt Lt Green never saw the aircraft that shot him down. The first thing Flight Lieutenant Green knew of being shot down on 29th August was a large hole appearing in his armoured windscreen and . He managed to exit his aircraft but his parachute initially failed to open as his drogue parachute lines had been cut about nine inches above where they joined the main parachute. His boots were ripped off his feet during the ensuing high-speed fall. The parachute eventually opened without the drogue and he landed in a farm in Elham Valley near Folkstone. Green could not stand due to his injuries and this would be the end of his participation in the Battle of Britian. | |||||||||
Grove, H. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Grove, H. C.
| Grove, H. C. Sergeant H.C.Grove of No.501 Squadron was killed on November 8th 1940. His Hurricane (V6805) was involved in combat with Me109s before pilot Grove baled out and was killed when his parachute failed. He was 29. | |||||||||
Gunter, E. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Gunter, E. M.
| Gunter, E. M. Pilot Officer E.M.Gunter of No.501 Squadron was killed on September 27th 1940. His Hurricane (V6645) was shot down and Gunter baled out, his parachute however failed to deploy and he was killed. | |||||||||
Hairs, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Hairs, Peter
| Hairs, Peter Peter Hairs joined the RAFVR in 1937, and was called up at the outbreak of war in September 1939 to complete his training. After being commissioned he converted to Hurricanes, joining 501 Squadron at Tangmere in January 1940. He went to France with the squadron in May, claiming a share in a Dornier Do17 a few days after arriving. 501 covered the evacuation of the BEF from Cherbourg before re-assembling in England. On the 3 June he was shot down, but fortunately not seriously hurt and two days later he rejoined the squadron at Le Mans. On September 5th he downed an Me109, Peter Hairs was posted to 15 FTS, Kidlington on October 13th 1940 as an instructor. He went to 2 CFS, Cranwell for an instructors course on February 23rd of 1941. after which he taught at 11 FTS, Shawbury and 10 EFTS, Weston-Super-Mare before being posted to Canada in June as a EFTS flying instructor and then assistant CFI (EFTS). In December 1943 he was posted to join 276 Squadron to 19 OTU. He concluded the war in India, receiving a mention in dispatches. | |||||||||
Harrold, F. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Harrold, F. C.
| Harrold, F. C. Killed September 28th 1940 | |||||||||
Henn, W. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Henn, W. B. | Henn, W. B. | |||||||||
Hewitt, D. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Hewitt, D. A.
| Hewitt, D. A. Pilot Officer D.A.Hewitt of No.501 Squadron was killed on July 12th 1940. His Hurricane was on convoy patrol when it was shot down after attacking a Do17 near Portland. He was aged 20. | |||||||||
Hogan, H. A. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Hogan, H. A. V. | Hogan, H. A. V. Squadron Leader Harry Hogan from No 501 Squadron was flying a Hurricane (V6620) on patrol on the 18th of September 1940 when he baled out safely following combat at 12:30hrs over West Malling. | |||||||||
Holden, E. Click the name above to see a profile of Holden, E. | Holden, E. Flight Lieutenant E. Holden crash-landed his Hurricane (L2050) following combat with a Do17 near Reims. | |||||||||
Holland, A. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Holland, A. L. | Holland, A. L. Squadron Leader A.Laurie Holland lead No 65 Squadron from around the 18th of August 1940. He flew Spitfire's during the Battle of Britain. | |||||||||
Holman, S. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Holman, S. H.
| Holman, S. H. Sergeant S.H.Holman of No.17 Squadron was flying escort in his Hurricane (P3360) on June 6th 1940, he was last seen heading for France and is believed to have been lost over Abbeville. | |||||||||
Holroyd, W. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Holroyd, W. B. | Holroyd, W. B. | |||||||||
Houghton, O. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Houghton, O. V.
| Houghton, O. V. Sergeant O.V.Houghton of No.501 Squadron was killed on September 6th 1940. His Hurricane (V6646) was shot down over Ashford. He was buried at Allesley in Coventry, he was 19. | |||||||||
Hove dErtsenrijck, A. E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Hove dErtsenrijck, A. E. A.
| Hove dErtsenrijck, A. E. A. Killed September 15th 1940 | |||||||||
Howarth, E. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Howarth, E. F.
| Howarth, E. F. Killed September 5th 1941** | |||||||||
Hulbert, D. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Hulbert, D. J. | Hulbert, D. J. | |||||||||
Hulse, R. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Hulse, R. G.
| Hulse, R. G. Pilot Officer R.G.Hulse of No. 501 Squadron was killed on June 8th 1940 when his Hurricane (P3542) was shot down in combat over Bois Sentilie in Somme. He was aged 24 and buried in Somme. | |||||||||
Jarrett, R. W. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Jarrett, R. W. E. | Jarrett, R. W. E. Sergeant R.W.E.Jarrett of No.245 Squadron was flying in Hurricane (N2702) on May 17th 1940 when it lost course and crashed near Dieppe following combat with a Me109. | |||||||||
Jebb, M. Click the name above to see a profile of Jebb, M.
| Jebb, M. Flight Officer M.Jebb of No 501 Squadron was wounded in France when he crash landed due to gunfire from the ground on the 20th of May 1940. He was injured when his Hurricane I (N2705) crashed near Dartford on the 15th of September 1940 following combat. M.Jebb later succumbed to his injuries on the 19th of September 1940. | |||||||||
Jones, D. A. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Jones, D. A. E. | Jones, D. A. E. Flight Officer D.A.E.Jones of No.3 Squadron was flying in Hurricane (L1609) on May 17th 1940 when it was involved in combat with a Do17 near Merville. | |||||||||
Knight, L R Click the name above to see a profile of Knight, L R
| Knight, L R Killed on 4th January 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.Vb AA733 SN-V of No.501 Sqn was shot down by Me109s near Abbeville. | |||||||||
Kozlowski, F. Click the name above to see a profile of Kozlowski, F.
| Kozlowski, F. Killed March 13th 1943 | |||||||||
Lacey, James Click the name above to see a profile of Lacey, James
| Lacey, James James Harry Lacey, from Wetherby, who was destined to become the top scoring RAF fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain, joined the RAFVR. in 1937. After an instructors course in 1938 he became an instructor at the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club. Called up at the outbreak of war, he was posted to 501 Squadron, and in May 1940 was posted with the unit to France. On the 13th he set off late on an early patrol, and shot down a Bf 109 and a He 111. Later in the day he destroyed a Bf 110. On the 27th he destroyed two He 11 Is and then returned to the United Kingdom, in June, having made an emergency landing in a swamp on the 9th and overturned, nearly being drowned. On 20 July he shot down a 13f 109, and was then awarded a DFM. In the Battle of Britain, during August, he destroyed a Ju 87 and a probable on the 12th, damaged a Do 17 on the 15th, probably destroyed a Bf 109 on the 16th, and on the 24th shot down a Ju 88 and damaged a Do 17. On the 29th he destroyed a 13f 109 and next day claimed a He 111 and probablya Bf110. He shot down a Bf109 on the 31st and on 2 September got two Bf 109s and damaged a Do 17. Two days later he destroyed two more Bf 109s, and was then sent on leave for a few days. on his return, on the 13th, he took off in very bad weather to shoot down a lone He 111 which had just bombed Buckingham Palace. Having destroyed it, he found the cloud too thick to return to base and was forced to bale out. On the 15th he shot down another He 111 and two Bf 109s with a third damaged, on the 27th destroyed another Bf 109 and on the 30th damaged a Ju 88. During October he was in action frequently against Bf 109s, getting a probable on the 7th and destroying others on the 12th, 26th, and the 30th, damaging one also on this latter date. His score was now 23, and he had been shot down or forced to bale out nine times. Of his victories 18 were gained during the Battle of Britain, and this was the highest score of any pilot for this period. In December he received a Bar to his DFM and was commissioned the following month. He converted to Spitfires early in 1941, and in June became a flight commander. During July he destroyed a Bf 109 on the 10th, damaged one on the 14th, shot down a He 59 floatplane on the 17th and destroyed two more Bf 109s on the 24th, causing them to collide. He was then posted as an instructor to 57 OTU where he trained, among others, George Beurling. In March 1942 he was posted to 602 Squadron, and on 24th March damaged a Fw 190. On 25 April he damaged two more, but was then posted to HQ 81 Group as Tactics Officer, now as a Sqn. Ldr. He spent some while testing Hurricanes with rocket projectiles and 40 mm. anti-tank guns, and then became Chief Flying Instructor at Millfield. In March 1943 he was sent to India, and first was responsible for converting squadrons to Hurricanes at Madras. He then moved to Bangalore, where he converted Hurricane pilots to Thunderbolts. In September 1944 he was posted to 3 TAC at Komila as Sqn. Ldr. Tactics, and the following month attended an Air Fighting Instructors Course at Armarda Road, which was run by Wg. Cdr. F.R. Carey. In November he became temporary commanding officer of 155 Squadron, flying Spitfire 8s in Burma, but later that month took command of 17 Squadron, equipped with the same aircraft. His squadron was responsible for giving ground support to a Gurkha regiment, so he ordered his pilots to have their heads shaved in the Gurkha fashion, which proved to be a very popular move. On 19 February 1945 he shot down a Nakajima Ki 43 Oscar, his twenty-eighth and last victory. He died on 30th May 1989. | |||||||||
Laws, G. G. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Laws, G. G. S.
| Laws, G. G. S. Killed March 28th 1941 | |||||||||
Lee, Kenneth N.T. Click the name above to see a profile of Lee, Kenneth N.T.
| Lee, Kenneth N.T. Kenneth Norman Thomson Lee was a Battle of Britain pilot who volunteered for the RAF in 1937. Kenneth Lee joined 111 Squadron at Northolt in March 1939. He was commissioned and went to 43 Squadron at Tangmere. Kenneth Lee flew Hurricanes during the Battles of France and Britain with No.501 Sqn, based at Filton and accumulated 7 victories, the first being when 501 Squadron went to France on May 10th 1940 and Kenneth Lee claimed a Bf 110 destroyed later that day. On the 12th he destroyed a Do 17 and a Bf109. The Squadron flew back from France on June 18th and re-assembled at Croydon on the 21st. On May 27th Kenneth Lee claimed an He111 destroyed and a Do17 on June 6th. While attacking a formation of He111s on June 10th Lee's Hurricane was hit by return fire from one of the He111s and exploded. He took to his parachute and landed at Le Mans. Kenneth Lee damaged a Ju 87 on July 29th and on August 12th destroyed another Ju87. While flying his Hurricane (P3059) Lee was shot down for a second time on the 18th when Oberleutnant Schopfel in an Me109 of JG26 shot him down over Canterbury. Kenneth Lee baled out, with a bullet wound in the leg and landed near Whitstable. In October, Lee rejoined 501 Sqn and on the 22nd October he was awarded the DFC. On November 29th Lee was posted to the Special Duties flight at Stormy Down and later transferred as Flight Commander to 52 OTU, at Crosby-On-Eden. In December 1941 Kenneth Lee became Flight Commander with 112 Squadron when he was posted to the Middle East and on the 18th of September 1942 Lee moved to 260 Squadron. On 10th November he destroyed an Mc202. He took control of 123 Squadron at Abadan, Persia in March 1943. In May, Lee with 123 Squadron went to the Western Desert and on July 27th 1943 Lee was shot down for the third time and captured on a dawn raid on Crete. He was taken prisoner of war to Stalag Luft 111 at Sagan and Belaria. Ken Lee left the RAF in late 1945 as a Squadron Leader. Sadly, Kenneth Lee passed away on 15th January 2008. | |||||||||
Lennard, P. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Lennard, P. L.
| Lennard, P. L. Killed March 26th 1942 | |||||||||
Lewis, A. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Lewis, A. A.
| Lewis, A. A. Sergeant A.A.Lewis of No.501 Squadron was reported as killed in action on June 8th 1940 when his Hurricane (P3347) was shot down near Boos. However, hewas not in CWGC records. | |||||||||
Lewis, Laurence Larry Godfrey Click the name above to see a profile of Lewis, Laurence Larry Godfrey
| Lewis, Laurence Larry Godfrey Squadron Leader Larry Lewis (born October 25th 1918 in Bristol, died May 12th 2014) earned the DFM as an air gunner before training as a pilot. After picking up air crash survivors from behind Japanese-held lines in Siam, he was awarded the DFC. On May 29th 1945 Japanese fighters shot down a Liberator bomber of 358 Squadron over Siam (Thailand) during a flight to drop supplies and US Special Forces to the 'Seri Thai' (Free Thailand) Resistance movement. Some of the crew and passengers survived the crash landing and were sheltered by natives and police. Once SOE in India had been alerted to the plight of the survivors, a rescue mission was mounted. On June 14th Lewis took off in his Dakota and flew at very low level to a remote airstrip at Pukio in Siam. He found the short runway adequate but the aircraft became bogged down at the end of the landing run. Within an hour, however, it had been recovered with the aid of Siamese workers and Lewis took off with seven passengers, including some of the crew of the crashed Liberator. The citation to his DFC concluded, he successfully completed a mission well into enemy territory, in daylight. The results obtained are an excellent tribute to his outstanding ability. One of seven children, Laurence 'Larry' Godfrey Lewis was born in Bristol on October 25 1918 and educated at Bristol Grammar School. He won a Pelaquin Scholarship but had to leave school at 15 to help support his family. He joined the Auxiliary Air Force as a metal rigger in May 1939 and served with No 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron. Equipped with Hurricane fighters, and based in the south of England, the squadron was heavily involved during the Battle of Britain. Lewis volunteered for pilot training but was selected to be an air gunner, commencing his training in late 1940. At the end of the year he was posted to No.12 Squadron equipped with the Wellington bomber. During a daylight attack on Brest, his aircraft was attacked by a German fighter, which he engaged and probably shot down. He completed 33 operations over enemy territory as a rear gunner including the three 'Thousand Bomber Raids' in the spring of 1942. He was awarded the DFM for his outstanding keenness, reliability and devotion to duty. Lewis was finally selected for pilot training, which he completed in Canada where he converted to the Dakota. He arrived in the Far East in January 1945 and joined No 357 (Special Duties) Squadron at Jessore near Calcutta. Over the next six months he completed 42 operations dropping supplies and agents over Burma and Siam. Some of these long-range missions involved flying over enemy territory for many hours and in extreme weather conditions to find small clearings marked by flares and cloth panels. Some areas were so small that as many as eight or nine runs were necessary before all the loads could be dropped, sometimes from heights of 100 feet. After the capture of Rangoon, flights were mounted from advanced airfields when sorties could be mounted deep into Siam, Indo-China and Malaya in support of clandestine forces. Lewis flew his final sortie on August 3rd 1945 when he made eleven runs to drop his 'packages' over a clearing in southern Burma. After serving at Air HQ Burma in a plans appointment, Lewis was released form the RAF in March 1946. He received the Air Efficiency Award. | |||||||||
Lonsdale, R. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Lonsdale, R. H. | Lonsdale, R. H. Sergeant R.V.H.Lonsdale flew with No 501 Squadron and No 242 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He baled out of his Hurricane I (P2831) safely September 9th 1940. He had been hit by return fire from a Do 17 over the Thames Estuary. | |||||||||
Loverseed, J. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Loverseed, J. E. | Loverseed, J. E. | |||||||||
Lukaszewicz, K. Click the name above to see a profile of Lukaszewicz, K.
| Lukaszewicz, K. Flight Officer K.Lukaszewicz of No.501 Squadron was killed on August 12th 1940. His Hurricane (P3803) was shot down off Ramsgate by fighters. He was aged 27. | |||||||||
Mackenzie, K. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Mackenzie, K. W. | Mackenzie, K. W. Pilot Officer K.W.MacKenzie from No 501 Squadron baled out of his Hurricane I (V6806) safely on October 25th 1940 after colliding with the Hurricane I (P2903) of Pilot Officer V.Goth during combat over Tentreden, Kent. | |||||||||
Mackenzie, Ken Click the name above to see a profile of Mackenzie, Ken
| Mackenzie, Ken Ken Mackenzie flew 2 ops on Hurricanes with No.43 Sqn before joining No.501 Sqn based at Kenley during the Battle of Britain, again on Hurricanes. During his time with No.501 Sqn, he claimed 7 victories, with a further 4 shared and 3 damaged. In the most remarkable of these, Ken was following what he thought was a damaged Me109 down to sea level. Realising the aircraft was not damaged, he deliberately struck the tailplane of the enemy aircraft with the wing of his Hurricane (V6799), forcing his opponent to crash. He was subsequently awarded the DFC on 25th October 1940. After this, he joined No.247 Sqn flying night fighter Hurricanes shooting down 10 aircraft in one year. He was shot down on the 29th of September 1941 after claiming an He111 bomber in a night attack planned to target Lannion airfield in Brittany. Ken was engaged by heavy flak from ground defences and completed this sortie by ditching in the sea. He paddled to shore in his dinghy and was subsequently captured and taken prisoner. Ken MacKenzie was posted to various camps before ending up in Stalag Luft 111, Sagan, and was finally repatriated to the UK in October 1944. He was posted to 53 OTU, Kirton-In-Lindsey on 19th December 1945 as an instructor and on 17th June 1945, posted to 61 OTU, Keevil, as a Flight Commander. After the war on the 1st January 1953, Ken was awarded the Air Force Cross. Retired from the RAF on 1st July 1967 with the rank of Wing Commander. Sadly, Wing Commander Ken Mackenzie died on 4th June 2009 | |||||||||
Malfroy, Camille Enright Click the name above to see a profile of Malfroy, Camille Enright | Malfroy, Camille Enright Flight Officer C.E. Malfroy of No. 501 Squadron was shot down in his Hurricane (L1914) on May 12th 1940 by a Me110 and crash-landed near Mezieries. | |||||||||
Marcinkowski, M. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Marcinkowski, M. S.
| Marcinkowski, M. S. Sergeant M.S.Marcinkowski of No.501 Squadron was killed on November 1st 1940. His Hurricane (V7405) failed to return from patrol over the Channel. He was 21. | |||||||||
Mckay, D. A. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Mckay, D. A. S. | Mckay, D. A. S. Sergeant D.A.S.McKay of No 501 Squadron baled out of his Hurricane I (N2617) safely on August 18th 1940. He was flying one of four Hurricane's from the Squadron shot down over Canterbury on that same day. | |||||||||
Moore, Eric Click the name above to see a profile of Moore, Eric | Moore, Eric Originally serving in the Army, he was involved in the Battle of Dunkirk before volunteering for the RAF in 1941 and joining 501 Sqn on Spitfires. Spending time in the Middle East and West Africa, he also spent time with 601 Sqn | |||||||||
Morfill, Percy Click the name above to see a profile of Morfill, Percy | Morfill, Percy Pilot with No.501 Sqn RAF. | |||||||||
Muchowski, K. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Muchowski, K. A. | Muchowski, K. A. | |||||||||
Murray, Alan Duncan Click the name above to see a profile of Murray, Alan Duncan
| Murray, Alan Duncan Alan Duncan Murray was born on 10th July 1915 and joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1934. He was posted to 3 FTS Grantham on 3rd April and with his training completed joined 18 Squadron at Upper Heyford on 4th March 1935, flying Hawker Hart light bombers. In late 1935 Murray went to Leuchars for catapult training, then Calshot for floatplane training and finally Gosport for deck-landing and torpedo training. He was detached to HMS Malaya in the Mediterranean, to be on Swordfish catapult duty. On 30th May 1936 Murray was posted to 812 (Fleet Torpedo-Bomber) Squadron, based at Hal Far, Malta and on HMS Glorious. In early 1939 he went to the A&AEE Martlesham Heath. The Establishment moved to Boscombe Down on 5th September 1939. Murray did a refresher course and converted to Hurricanes at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge in early June 1940 and was detached from there to RAF Wittering on 12th June for Ops Room duties. He joined 46 Squadron at Digby on the 18th, as OC 'B' Flight. He returned to Boscombe Down on 22nd July for flying duties. He was attached to 501 Squadron at Kenley from 16th to 25th September to gain operational experience. Whilst with 501 Murray flew six operational sorties, four on the 18th and two on the 20th. He then joined 73 Squadron at Castle Camps on 26th September and assumed command on the 27th. Murray took the squadron from Debden to Birkenhead, for service in the Middle East, on 9th November. After arriving the pilots began operating in the Western Desert in December, attached to 274 Squadron. On 1st January 1941 the squadron began operating as a unit and on the 3rd Murray shared in destroying eight enemy aircraft on a landing ground. On the 21st he shot down a Fiat G50 over Tobruk, on 1st February destroyed a Caproni Ghibli on Apollonia airfield, on the 5th shared in destroying eight enemy bombers on the ground at Benina and on the 20th damaged a Ju88. Murray was awarded the DFC (gazetted 28th March 1941) and in April was posted to Cairo, as Controller at Heliopolis. He later had the job of locating possible new airfields in the desert, then went to Group HQ Cairo and was afterwards posted to command the Fighter Sector at Abadan, Iran. Murray returned to the UK in March 1944 and took command of a unit at Hurn, servicing fighters for France. He later moved with it to Tangmere. From September 1944 until September 1945 Murray commanded RAF Manston, as an Acting Group Captain. He retired from the RAF on 15th January 1958 as a Wing Commander, retaining the rank of Group Captain. Murray died in March 2001. | |||||||||
O'Bryne, P. Click the name above to see a profile of O'Bryne, P. | O'Bryne, P. Sgt. P.O'Bryne of No 501 Squadron crashed his Hurricane I (V7595) near Leatherhead on October 29th 1940. He got out safely. | |||||||||
Parkin, Eric Click the name above to see a profile of Parkin, Eric
| Parkin, Eric After converting to Hurricanes, Parkin was posted to France to join 501 Squadron. In mid-June the squadron prepared to evacuate France. The squadron reassembled at Croydon on the 21st. In the late evening of July 31st 1940 the squadron took off from Hawkinge to return to Gravesend, but his aircraft had a starting problem and he took off late. Arriving at Gravesend in failing light he undershot the runway and touched coiled barbed wire on the boundary which caused the Hurricane to become inverted. Badly injured he was admitted to Gravesend Hospital, later transferred to Halton and did not rejoin 501 until February 5th 1941. With a non-operational category, he was posted away for an instructors course on April 16th 1941 and was instructing until the end of the war. Sadly, Eric Parkin passed away on 23rd July 2008. | |||||||||
Parkinson, C. Click the name above to see a profile of Parkinson, C.
| Parkinson, C. Sergeant C.Parkinson of No 238 Squadron was shot down on July 20th 1940 while on patrol. His Hurricane I (P3766) was attacked South of Swanage. He was rescued but died on July 21st 1940. | |||||||||
Patterson, L. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Patterson, L. J.
| Patterson, L. J. Sergeant L.J.Patterson of No.501 Squadron was killed on November 28th 1940. His Hurricane (P5189) was shot down by a Me109 near Hastings. He was 23. | |||||||||
Pearson, Geoffrey Wilberforce Click the name above to see a profile of Pearson, Geoffrey Wilberforce
| Pearson, Geoffrey Wilberforce Killed combat during combat in Hurricane (P3516) near Ashford on September 6th 1940. He is buried in Lympne churchyard in Kent. Son of Vivien Wilberforce and Frieda Marion Pearson, of East End, Oxfordshire. | |||||||||
Pickering, Tony Click the name above to see a profile of Pickering, Tony
| Pickering, Tony With the RAFVR just before the war commenced, Tony Pickering joined 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill in July 1940, flying Hurricanes, and in August 1940 to 501 Squadron at Gravesend. In September he was shot down in Hurricane P5200, but unhurt in a duel with an Me109, destroying another 109 a few weeks later. In December he joined 601 Squadron at Northolt. After a spell instructing, he joined 131 as a Flight Commander in February 1943, and later served as a Squadron Commander in the Middle East. | |||||||||
Proctor, J. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Proctor, J. E. | Proctor, J. E. P/O J.E.Proctor was a pre-war pilot, he went to France with No 501 Squadron and claimed seven kills during this time. He was posted to No 32 Squadron on the 10th of July 1940. P/O J.E.Proctor shot down 2 Bf 110's on the 20th and Bf 109's on the 12th and the 24th of August 1940. He was awarded the D.F.C. on the 18th of March 1941, He received the Bar for the D.F.C. some later time. | |||||||||
Putt, A. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Putt, A. R. | Putt, A. R. Flight Lieutenant A.R.Putt of No 501 Squadron baled out of his Hurricane I (P3040) following combat over R.A.F. Hawkinge on August 15th 1940. He escaped uninjured. | |||||||||
Rayner, P. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Rayner, P. H.
| Rayner, P. H. Flight Officer P.H. Rayner was shot down and killed in his Hurricane (L2054) following combat near Beauvilliers. He was 27 years of age and is buried at Seuil in France. | |||||||||
Rogers, E. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Rogers, E. B. | Rogers, E. B. | |||||||||
Rose-Price, A. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Rose-Price, A. T.
| Rose-Price, A. T. Flight Officer A.T.Rose-Price of No.501 Squadron was killed on September 2nd 1940. His Hurricane (L1578) was shot down over Dungeness. This was his first day on patrol and his first day as part of the Squadron. | |||||||||
Savill, J. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Savill, J. E. | Savill, J. E. Sergeant J.E.Savill joined No 151 Squadron on July 2nd 1940. Savill shot down a Dornier Do 17 on August 13th 1940. Savill survived the Battle of Britain but his fate beyond that is unknown. | |||||||||
Saward, C. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Saward, C. J. | Saward, C. J. Sergeant C.J.Saward of No 501 Squadron was on patrol on September 18th 1940. He baled out of his Hurricane I (V6600) safely after being shot down over Tonbridge. | |||||||||
Skalski, H. Click the name above to see a profile of Skalski, H. | Skalski, H. | |||||||||
Skalski, Stanislaw Click the name above to see a profile of Skalski, Stanislaw | Skalski, Stanislaw Pilot Officer Stanislaw Skalski from Poland of No 501 Hurricane Squadron was already an ace with 7.5 confirmed victories by September 2nd 1940. He was injured on September 5th 1940 when his Hurricane I (V6644) was shot down over Canterbury. His final rank attained was that of Wing Commander. | |||||||||
Smith, M. F. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, M. F. C.
| Smith, M. F. C. Flight Officer M.F.C Smith of No.501 Squadron was shot down in his Hurricane (L2053) by a Me110 near Mezieries and killed. He is buried at Choloy War Cemetery and was aged 27. | |||||||||
Snell, Vivian Click the name above to see a profile of Snell, Vivian
| Snell, Vivian Battle of Britain Hurricane pilot with No.501 Sqn. Shot down over Cranbrook on 25th October 1940 while flying Hurricane P2903, bailing out uninjured. During his service life Vivian flew the Fairy Battle with 103 Squadron, later flying the Hawker Hurricane with 151 and 501(F) Squadrons during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Vivian shot down a Bf109E on the 25th October 1940 and was then shot down himself while piloting Hurricane Mk.I serial N2438. After having minor wounds attended to he returned to his squadron and flew through the rest of the Battle of Britain. In 1941 he was flying the American built Douglas DB7 Havoc night fighter with number 85(F) Squadron. He commanded his own Mosquito Squadron towards the end of the War. Vivian was released from the RAF in 1946 with the rank of Wing Commander. | |||||||||
St.John, P. C. B. Click the name above to see a profile of St.John, P. C. B.
| St.John, P. C. B. Flight Officer Peter Cape Beauchamp St John joined No 74 Squadron on May 7th 1940 from No 501 Squadron. He was killed on October 22nd 1940 in action when his Spitfire II (P7431) was shot down over South Nutfield, Surrey. | |||||||||
Stoney, George E. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Stoney, George E. B.
| Stoney, George E. B. Flight Lieutenant George E.B.Stoney a Canadian of No 501 Squadron was shot down and killed on August 18th 1940 in a Hurricane I (P2549). He was in combat over the Thames Estuary. | |||||||||
Sylvester, E. J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Sylvester, E. J. H.
| Sylvester, E. J. H. Pilot Officer E.J.H.Sylvester from No 501 Squadron was on patrol in a Hurricane I (P3082) on July 20th 1940 when he was shot down in Lyme Bay, Dorset by a Bf 109. | |||||||||
Todd, Noel C Click the name above to see a profile of Todd, Noel C | Todd, Noel C Joined the RAAF in November 1940. Noel trained in Australia and gained his wings in Canada. Commissioned as Pilot Officer, he sailed to the UK in 1941 and attended a Spitfire OTU then posted to 501 Sqn equipped with Spitfire Vs. Noel was seconded to Australia and joined 75 Sqn in June 1942. Flying Kittyhawks he took part in the Battle of Milne Bay during August / September 1942. After returning to Australia to rest and re-equip, Todd returned to Milne Bay with the squadronin February 1943. In April, Flg Off Todd flew A29-133 during a patrol from Milne Bay and on 14th April claimed a Zero destroyed during 75 Sqns last major air to air battle of the war when one hundred Japanese planes attacked Milne Bay. He remained with the squadron for much of 1943 and was then posted as a Test Pilot to the Aircraft Performance Unit at Laverton. Noel Todd ended his service career testing aircraft at 2 OTU. | |||||||||
Van Den Hove de Erstenrijck, A. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Van Den Hove de Erstenrijck, A. E.
| Van Den Hove de Erstenrijck, A. E. Killed September 11th 1940 | |||||||||
Whitehouse, S. A. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Whitehouse, S. A. H. | Whitehouse, S. A. H. | |||||||||
Whitehouse, Tony Click the name above to see a profile of Whitehouse, Tony | Whitehouse, Tony Wing Commander Sydney Anthony Hollingsworth Whitehouse, 501 Squadron, Bristol, Hurricanes. | |||||||||
Wilkinson, W. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Wilkinson, W. A. | Wilkinson, W. A. | |||||||||
Willis, O. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Willis, O. E. | Willis, O. E. On 23rd May 1944 his Spitfire Mk.Vb BM385 SD-W of No.501 Sqn was damaged by flak near Bayeux. He returned to base safely. | |||||||||
Witorzenc, S. Click the name above to see a profile of Witorzenc, S. | Witorzenc, S. Flight Officer Stephan Witorzenk from Poland flew with No 501 Squadron in Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain. His tally of kills for the war was 5 confirmed 1 shared and 2 damaged. He attained the rank of Group Captain. | |||||||||
Zaoral, V. Click the name above to see a profile of Zaoral, V.
| Zaoral, V. Killed November 19th 1941 | |||||||||
Zenker, P. Click the name above to see a profile of Zenker, P.
| Zenker, P. Pilot Officer P.Zenker from Poland was with No 501 Squadron. He shot down a Bf 109 on August 18th 1940 Whitstable. He was reported 'Missing' on August 24th 1940. He was shot down in his Hurricane I (P3141) during combat near Dover. |
Known Individual Aircraft of No.501 Sqn RAF : | ||||||||
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ON-K | 11/09/1941 | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | |||||
20/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | ||||
23/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | ||||
SD-E | 22/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | |||
MN-C | 01/10/1941 | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | |||||
21/10/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
26/10/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
LO-A | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Chattis Hill | |||
SD-E | 04/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | |||
27/10/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | ||||
RN-C | 15/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | |||
31/10/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
YO-V | 05/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | |||
10/12/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 47 | Eastleigh | ||||
22/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
25/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | ||||
28/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-P | 27/11/1941 | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | |||||
30/11/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | ||||
12/12/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | High Post | ||||
19/12/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | High Post | ||||
SD-G | 06/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | ||||
09/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
SD-K | 02/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | ||||
02/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
SD-Q | - | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | ||||
SD-Y | 15/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | ||||
15/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
17/01/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | |||||
08/02/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-N | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-K | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XX | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
LO-C | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
FN-X | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
FU-J | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
SD-H | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
SD-S | - | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
SK-C | - | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||||
SD-R | - | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
EF-D | - | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
DW-E | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
GE-E | - | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-Z | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-X | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
LO-W | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 50 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
FL-Y | - | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-G | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
RN-F | - | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-W | - | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
LO-S | 17/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
18/04/1942 | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||||
SD-R | 22/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-Q | - | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
SD-F | - | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
SD-Y | - | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | ||||
27/02/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-A | 28/02/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Eastleigh | |||
22/04/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | High Post | ||||
20/09/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 61 | Rolls Royce Hucknall | ||||
JJ-N | 02/10/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 61 | Eastleigh | |||
09/10/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 61 | Rolls Royce Hucknall | ||||
06/11/1942 | no information | no information | Merlin 61 | Rolls Royce Hucknall | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Westland | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
WX-Q | - | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 46 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
KH-B | - | no information | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
9R-P | - | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
YT-N | - | Merlin 61 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 63 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 66 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
02/11/1939 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
LZ-W | - | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
DL-D | - | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin XII | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
30/06/1940 | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | |||||
18/07/1940 | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | |||||
20/02/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
10/03/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-E | 04/03/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | |||
05/04/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
RAB-J | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
RAB-E | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
RAB-F | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
RAB-M | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
RAB-K | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | |||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory | ||||
8W-H | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
RAB-D | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
8W-M | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
RAB-G | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | |||||
RAB-P | - | no information | no information | Merlin 266 | ||||
30/05/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
06/06/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Eastleigh | ||||
11/06/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45M | Chattis Hill | ||||
YQ-C | 10/07/1941 | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-L | 19/07/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | |||
19/07/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
MN-S | 09/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Chattis Hill | |||
22/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | ||||
26/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | ||||
14/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | ||||
16/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-O | 23/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | |||
06/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
06/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
08/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
08/09/1941 | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||||
10/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
10/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
13/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-F | 30/08/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | |||
GW-N | 05/09/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin 45 | High Post | |||
13/09/1941 | Merlin 45 | High Post | ||||||
09/08/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
21/08/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
QJ-D | 25/08/1940 | Merlin III | Eastleigh | |||||
06/09/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-J | 06/09/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | |||
17/09/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
05/10/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
10/10/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
21/10/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
21/10/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
09/11/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
- | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
18/12/1940 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
10/01/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
18/01/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
22/01/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | ||||
SD-M | 23/01/1941 | no information | no information | Merlin III | Eastleigh | |||
SD-Q | - | no information | no information | |||||
SD-L | - | no information | no information | |||||
SD-C | - | no information | no information | |||||
SD-F | - | no information | ||||||
SD-M | - | no information | no information | |||||
SD-P | - | no information | no information |
Aircraft for : No.501 Sqn RAF | ||
A list of all aircraft associated with No.501 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
Aircraft | Info | |
Harvard
Manufacturer : North American Aviation Production Began : 1935 Retired : 1995 Number Built : 15495 | Harvard The Texan originated from the North American NA-16 prototype (first flown on April 1, 1935) which, modified as the NA-26, was submitted as an entry for a USAAC "Basic Combat" aircraft competition in March, 1937. The first model went into production and 180 were supplied to the USAAC as the BC-1 and 400 to the RAF as the Harvard I. The US Navy received 16 modified aircraft, designated the SNJ-1, and a further 61 as the SNJ-2 with a different engine. The BC-1 was the production version of the NA-26 prototype, with retractable tailwheel landing gear and the provision for armament, a two-way radio, and the 550-hp (410 kW) R-1340-47 engine as standard equipment. Production versions included the BC-1 (Model NA-36) with only minor modifications (177 built), of which 30 were modified as BC-1I instrument trainers; the BC-1A (NA-55) with airframe revisions (92 built); and a single BC-1B with a modified wing center-section. Three BC-2 aircraft were built before the shift to the "advanced trainer" designation, AT-6, which was equivalent to the BC-1A. The differences between the AT-6 and the BC-1 were new outer wing panels with a swept-forward trailing edge, squared-off wingtips, and a triangular rudder, producing the canonical Texan silhouette. After a change to the rear of the canopy, the AT-6 was designated the Harvard II for RAF/RCAF orders and 1,173 were supplied by purchase or Lend Lease, mostly operating in Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Next came the AT-6A which was based on the NA-77 design and was powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-49 Wasp radial engine. The USAAF received 1,549 and the US Navy 270 (as the SNJ-3). The AT-6B was built for gunnery training and could mount a .30 in machine gun on the forward fuselage. It used the R-1340-AN-1 engine, which was to become the standard for the remaining T-6 production. Canada's Noorduyn Aviation built an R-1340-AN-1-powered version of the AT-6A, which was supplied to the USAAF as the AT-16 (1,500 aircraft) and the RAF/RCAF as the Harvard IIB (2,485 aircraft), some of which also served with the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Canadian Navy. No. 1340 Flight RAF used the Harvard in Kenya against the Mau Mau in the 1950s, where they operated with 20-lb bombs and machine guns against the rebels. Some operations took place at altitudes around 20,000 ft above mean sea level. A Harvard was the longest-serving RAF aeroplane, | |
Hurricane
Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1936 Number Built : 14533 | Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built. | |
Meteor
Manufacturer : Gloster Production Began : 1944 Number Built : 3947 | Meteor The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. Designed by George Carter, and built by the Gloster Aircraft Company, Armstrong-Whitworth, the Meteor first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Gloster Meteor was not an aerodynamically advanced aircraft but the Gloster design team succeeded in producing an effective jet fighter that served the RAF and other air forces for decades. Meteors saw action with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in the Korean War and other air forces used the Meteor. The Royal Danish Air Force, The Belgian Air Force and Isreali Air Force kept the Meteor in service until the early 1970's. A Total of 3947 meteors were built and two Meteors, WL419 and WA638, remain in service with the Martin-Baker company as ejection seat testbeds. | |
Spitfire
Manufacturer : Supermarine Production Began : 1936 Retired : 1948 Number Built : 20351 | Spitfire Royal Air Force fighter aircraft, maximum speed for mark I Supermarine Spitfire, 362mph up to The Seafire 47 with a top speed of 452mph. maximum ceiling for Mk I 34,000feet up to 44,500 for the mark XIV. Maximum range for MK I 575 miles . up to 1475 miles for the Seafire 47. Armament for the various Marks of Spitfire. for MK I, and II . eight fixed .303 browning Machine guns, for MKs V-IX and XVI two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 browning machine guns. and on later Marks, six to eight Rockets under the wings or a maximum bomb load of 1,000 lbs. Designed by R J Mitchell, The proto type Spitfire first flew on the 5th March 1936. and entered service with the Royal Air Force in August 1938, with 19 squadron based and RAF Duxford. by the outbreak of World war two, there were twelve squadrons with a total of 187 spitfires, with another 83 in store. Between 1939 and 1945, a large variety of modifications and developments produced a variety of MK,s from I to XVI. The mark II came into service in late 1940, and in March 1941, the Mk,V came into service. To counter the Improvements in fighters of the Luftwaffe especially the FW190, the MK,XII was introduced with its Griffin engine. The Fleet Air Arm used the Mk,I and II and were named Seafires. By the end of production in 1948 a total of 20,351 spitfires had been made and 2408 Seafires. The most produced variant was the Spitfire Mark V, with a total of 6479 spitfires produced. The Royal Air Force kept Spitfires in front line use until April 1954. | |
Tempest
Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1943 Retired : 1949 Number Built : 1395 | Tempest The Hawker Tempest was a much improved development of the Typhoon and first flew in June 1943. and started service with the RAF in April 1944. mainly serving in the attack role in Europe against ground targets including the V1 Flying Bomb installations. It remained in service after the war until 1949 when it was eventually replaced by the Jet Aircraft. but continued for another 4 years in the Indian and Pakistan air forces. In total no less than 1395 Hawker Tempests were built. Speed: 426mph at 18,500 feet, Crew One. Range 800 miles. Armament: Four 20mm Hispano cannons mounted in the wings and a bomb payload of upto 2,000 lbs. | |
Vampire
| Vampire Full profile not yet available. |
No.501 Sqn RAF Artwork |
One to One by Ivan Berryman. | Holding the Fort by Ivan Berryman. | Ground Force by Ivan Berryman. |
501 Sqn Scramble by Ivan Berryman. | 501 Squadron Hurricanes by Ivan Berryman. | Straggler's End by Ivan Berryman. |
Desperate Measures by Ivan Berryman. | Tempest Moon by Ivan Berryman. | A Pickle for Pickering by Brian Bateman. (P) |
Clipped Signature - Vivian Snell. | Clipped Signature - Tony Pickering. | Clipped Signature - Ken Mackenzie. |
Clipped Signature - Eric Parkin. | Clipped Signature - William J Green. | Open Assault by Robert Taylor. |
Fear Nothing by Anthony Saunders. | Dawn Scramble by Keith Woodcock. | Hurricane Country by Nicolas Trudgian. |
Tribute to Ken Mackenzie by Ivan Berryman. | Hurricane of No.501 Sqn by Ivan Berryman. |
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