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Byron Duckenfield

Name : Byron Duckenfield Died : 19th November 2010 Awards : Air Force Cross

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. Byron Duckenfield during a signing session in March 2010. Cranston Fine Arts extend our many thanks to Byron Duckenfield for signing a number of our art prints over a number of sessions. Byron Duckenfield at a signing session in 2010. Byron Duckenfield's Hurricane P3059 (SD-N) of 501 Squadron. Byron Duckenfield signing the print Quartet by Gerald Coulson at a signing session in February 2010. Cranston Fine Arts extend our many thanks to Byron Duckenfield for spending the day (21/2/2010) signing a number of our art prints.

Artwork signed by this Pilot or Aircrew

Two of 222 by Anthony Saunders. (APB)

Salute the Few by Anthony Saunders. (APB)

Close Encounter by Ivan Berryman. (F)

Ground Force by Ivan Berryman. (D)

Billy Drake - First of Many by Ivan Berryman. (AP)

Hurricane Mk.IIC by Ivan Berryman.

F/Lt J R Baldwin by Ivan Berryman.

41 Squadron Spitfire by Ivan Berryman. (P)

Terminal Morane by Ivan Berryman. (P)

Tribute to F/Lt Owen Tracey by Ivan Berryman.

Victory Over Malta by Ivan Berryman.

A Hasty Exit by Ivan Berryman.

Revenge of the Raider by Ivan Berryman.

One on the Run by Ivan Berryman.

Beurling's Day by Ivan Berryman.

Time to Leave by Ivan Berryman.

Lost Over Dunkirk by Ivan Berryman.

A Dunkirk Encounter by Ivan Berryman.

501 Sqn Scramble by Ivan Berryman.

Kerr's Last Combat by Ivan Berryman.

501 Squadron Hurricanes by Ivan Berryman.

Wounded Eagle by Ivan Berryman.

Straggler's End by Ivan Berryman.

Hard Hitter by Ivan Berryman. (H)

Lone Warrior by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

Dornier's Demise by Ivan Berryman. (AP)

Lone Gladiator by Ivan Berryman. (B)

A Welcome Shore by Ivan Berryman. (AP)

Down and Out by Ivan Berryman. (AP)

Desperate Measures by Ivan Berryman.

A Quick Despatch by Ivan Berryman.

Douglas Bader by Stephen Doig. (P)

No.615 Sqn Hurricane over Burma by Brian Bateman. (P)

Byron Duckenfield by Brian Bateman. (P)

A Pickle for Pickering by Brian Bateman. (P)

Burma - Arrival of 615 Squadron by Brian Bateman. (P)

Last of the Luck by Ivan Berryman.

Spitfire Tally-Ho by Geoff Lea. (D)

Freedom Fighters by Simon Smith. (APB)

Normandy Beach Head Patrol by Geoff Lea. (C)

Merlin Roar by Anthony Saunders (AP)

Can Openers by David Pentland. (B)

Night Reaper, 4th May 1942 by David Pentland. (AP)

Ranger by Graeme Lothian. (B)

Land, Sea and Air by Ivan Berryman. (APD)

A Nation Alone by Ivan Berryman. (B)

In the Playground of the Gods by Ivan Berryman. (D)

Hurricane Patrol by Graeme Lothian. (E)

Hurricanes over the Houses of Parliament by John Young. (AP)

Spitfire Over Buckingham Palace by John Young. (AP)

Spitfire Over Tower Bridge by John Young. (AP)

Combat over the Pas de Calais by Simon Smith. (B)

Spitfire Country by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

Those Valiant Few by Robert Taylor.

High Pursuit by Ivan Berryman. (K)

In Them We Trust by Ivan Berryman. (C)

Spitfire Alley by Ivan Berryman. (D)

Spitfire F Mk21 by Ivan Berryman. (E)

Spitfire Mk.IXE by Ivan Berryman. (AP)

The Fledgling by Ivan Berryman. (B)

Open Assault by Robert Taylor.

Tribute to Johannes Steinhoff by Graeme Lothian. (APB)

Height and Sun by Robert Taylor. (AP)

Flt Lt Walter Lawson by Ivan Berryman.

Close Combat by Ivan Berryman.

Adversaries by Ivan Berryman.

Total Commitment by Ivan Berryman.

Guardian Angel by Gerald Coulson. (AP)

Victory Above Dover by Ivan Berryman.

Typhoon! by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

The Longest July by Ivan Berryman.

A Day for Heroes by Ivan Berryman.

Angels of Malta - Faith, Hope and Charity by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

High Patrol by Ivan Berryman.

Guardian Angels by Ivan Berryman. (AP)

Into the Fray by Richard Taylor.

Veterans of the Med by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

Valiant Response by Robert Taylor. (AP)

Combat Over Beachy Head by Nicolas Trudgian. (D)

First Flap of the Day by Nicolas Trudgian.

Normandy Fighter Sweep by Nicolas Trudgian. (C)

Squadron Scramble by Nicolas Trudgian. (APB)

Vital Force by Richard Taylor.

Bitter Engagement by Robert Taylor. (AP)

Spitfire! by David Pentland.

Doe's Griffin by David Pentland.

Scramble by David Pentland.

Charity by David Pentland.

Textbook Attack by David Pentland.

Taxi Service by David Pentland. (AP)

Strafing Run by David Pentland. (AP)

Air Taxi by David Pentland. (AP)

Danger Over Dieppe by David Pentland. (AP)

Summer 1940 by Ivan Berryman. (APB)

Spitfires of No.611 West Lancashire Squadron by Ivan Berryman. (B)

Quartet by Gerald Coulson. (B)

Aircraft for : Byron Duckenfield
A list of all aircraft associated with Byron Duckenfield. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
DH.103 Hornet Click the name above to see prints featuring DH.103 Hornet aircraft. Manufacturer : de Havilland Production Began : 1946 Retired : 1956 Number Built : 383	DH.103 Hornet The Hornet prototype RR 915 first flew on 28 July 1944 with Geoffrey de Havilland Jr. at the controls. Powered by twin Merlin engines, it was the fastest twin piston-engined fighter in Royal Air Force service, a little slower than the fastest (single) piston-engined Supermarine Spiteful. The Hornet also has the distinction of being the second fastest wooden aircraft ever built, after the Heinkel He 162, and the second fastest operational twin propeller-driven aircraft — being slightly slower than the unconventional German Dornier Do 335 of 1945. The Hornet entered service in 1946 with 64 Squadron based at RAF Horsham St Faith. Next to convert to the Hornet was 19 Squadron at RAF Wittering, followed by 41 Squadron and 65 Squadron, both based at RAF Church Fenton. No. 65 Sqn was to participate in one of the first official overseas visits by an RAF unit when they visited Sweden in May 1948. Pilot conversion to the Hornet was provided by No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit (O.C.U.) which was based at RAF Molesworth. Operationally, the Hornet I (later F 1) was to last only a short time before being superseded by the F 3 version. The first Hornet F 3 was PX 366 which flew at the Farnborough Air Show in June 1946. New units to convert to this mark were 33 Squadron, 45 Squadron (based at RAF Tengah, Singapore where, in early 1952, the unit converted to the Hornet from the unreliable Bristol Brigand) and 80 Squadron. Along with 64 Sqn these squadrons operated in Malaysia where they replaced Beaufighters and Spitfires operating against Communist guerrillas during the Malayan Emergency. Armed with rockets and/or 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs Hornets, with their long range and good endurance, were able to spend up to two hours loitering over the target area. They also proved to be very reliable; 45 Sqn Hornets, based in Singapore achieved 4,500 operational sorties over five years. The last operational Hornet sortie was flown on 21 May 1955. On 23 July 1954, two Hornets from RAF Kai Tak in Hong Kong were the first to arrive on the scene of a shootdown of a Cathay Pacific Skymaster off the coast of Hainan Island. All Hornets were withdrawn from operational service by mid-1956
Gauntlet Click the name above to see prints featuring Gauntlet aircraft. Manufacturer : Gloster	Gauntlet Full profile not yet available.
Hurricane Click the name above to see prints featuring Hurricane aircraft. 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 Click the name above to see prints featuring Meteor aircraft. 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 Click the name above to see prints featuring Spitfire aircraft. 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.

Squadrons for : Byron Duckenfield
A list of all squadrons known to have been served with by Byron Duckenfield. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
No.19 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st September 1915 Possunt quia posse videntur - They can because they think they can Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.19 Sqn RAF	No.19 Sqn RAF o. 19 Squadron was formed from a nucleus provided by No. 5 Reserve Squadron at Castle Bromwich on 1 September 1915. It was almost a year later that the Squadron went to France, flying contact patrols with BE12s before re-equipping with French-built Spads. These were used to strafe ground troops during the battles at Arras, Messines Ridge and Ypres. Early in 1918, Sopwith Dolphins arrived and these were used in bomber escort duties. A year after the end of the War, the Squadron was disbanded reforming on 1 April 1924 at Duxford. The Squadron remained at Duxford throughout the inter-war years with a succession of fighters: Siskins, Bulldogs and Gauntlets receiving Spitifre on the 4th August 1938 The Squadron was stationed in the UK after the outbreak of the Second World War,the Squadron fought well over the evacuation at Dunkirk where they lost 4 aircraft for the destruction of 13 E.A.'s. The Squadron destroyed 2 He 111's on the night of the 19th of June 1940, and was part of No. 12 Group RAF, RAF Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain. 19 Squadron formed part of the Duxford Wing, 12 Group's 'Big Wing' formation. Later versions of Spitfires were flown until the arrival of Mustangs for close-support duties in early 1944. After D-Day, No. 19 briefly went across the English Channel before starting long-range escort duties from RAF Peterhead for Coastal Command off the coast of Norway. After world war two the squadron flew at first de Havilland Hornets and later a variety of jet fighter aircraft including the Hawker Hunter fighter then re-equipping with English Electric Lightning, (1962 - 1964) at that time 19 Sqdn was based at RAF Station Leconfield. The Squadron and the sister Squadron 92 were called upon as fast response interceptors during the "cold war", later being disbanded on 9 January 1992. Their final location before being disbanded was RAF Wildenrath in Germany near Geilenkirchen
No.32 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 12th January 1916 Adeste comites - Rally round, comrades Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.32 Sqn RAF	No.32 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.501 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 14th June 1929 Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 County of Gloucester, City of Bristol (Auxiliary) Nil time - Fear nothing Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.501 Sqn RAF	No.501 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.615 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st June 1937 Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 County of Surrey (Auxiliary) Conjunctis viribus Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.615 Sqn RAF	No.615 Sqn RAF Full profile not yet available.
No.66 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 24th June 1916 Fate : Disbanded 20th March 1969 Cavete praemonui - Beware, I have given warning Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.66 Sqn RAF	No.66 Sqn RAF Stations during the Battle of Britain : Coltishall from29th May 1940, Kenley 3rd September 1940, Gravesend 11th September 1940, West Malling 30th October 1940.
No.74 Sqn RAF Country : UK Founded : 1st July 1917 Trinidad I fear no man Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of No.74 Sqn RAF	No.74 Sqn RAF Hurricane of 56 Squadron was shot down by mistake by No. 74 Squadron and Pilot Officer M L Halton-Harrop of 56 sqd was killed on the 6th September 1939

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