AndyL

Hi Steve, Good to see you're back in the saddle ref the Defiant. I recently paid a visit to Parkstone Cemetery where your Uncle Harold is buried, and paid my respects. I had a go at tracing his widow, as they had a house not far from the golf club, but no joy. I have found the crash site of his Defiant near Marlow, and will be heading out there in the spring to take some photos. Also, I now have all the documentation from the casualty file which gives a bit more information regarding their loss; I'm in no doubt they were shot down by a target they were investigating. I will send you the file - not much in there but interesting nonetheless. Regards, Andy

I'm currently writing the history of the Defiant for Pen and Sword and I'd like to have a chat with you ref your relation. I should have the Bromley casualty file if you're interested. You can drop me a line at Defiant1940@virginmedia.com Cheers, Andy

Here's an example of the variance of aircraft code letters, covering 609 Squadron on 13th August 1940. A Flight, Red Section: PR-J, H and E. A Flight, Yellow Section: PR-K, G, and one Spitfire without a code letter. B Flight, Blue Section: PR-S, O, and M. B Flight, Green Section: PR-N, M* and L. * 609 had two Spitfires with the letter M, but the one in B Flight was known as ' Mitzi'. The spare Spitfire was PR-A. Also 253 Squadron stopped allocating the letter A to their Hurricanes as they suffered a run of losing aircraft carrying A, and decided it was an unlucky letter.

L2012 was UP-V, confirmed by Chris Cooper-Slipper, son of Tom.

L2012 was UP-V.

A really lovely build, that's an excellent job. If you'd like a copy of the F1180 Accident Card for this Defiant, let me know.

Interesting, as all my images show interior green throughout.

A really fine set of builds, but if I may, the Defiant isn't a Battle of Britain aircraft, as depicts one from 255 Squadron which were formed in November 1940. But I don't want to detract from your fine work, they are really very well done.

If you're looking at friendly fire, you only have to examine some of the camera gun footage held by the IWM and spot the close calls. However, back to the OP, there was always the recurring story regarding the deliberate shooting down of a fellow Spitfire pilot by a fellow squadron member during the Battle of Britain. Maybe just a story, but if true, not a pleasant one.

The speed fairing behind the turret could be in either the up or down position. While it was operated by a set of cams connected to a compressed air system, the air gunner had the ability to manually lower or raise it by using the lever to the right of the turret control stick.

Going through my 141 Squadron material, here are three references to exhausts as noted in the log book of Squadron Leader Ted Wolfe DFC. 16.11.40. Defiant N1564. Trials of new fishtail exhaust. No glare at all and less noise. Very successful. 21.11.40. Defiant N1564. Further trials of 3 port fishtail exhaust. Excellent. 8.11.40. Defiant N1799. New night stub exhausts much too noisy.

Great to see progress, and that you've started building. I'm following this with interest as I'm currently writing the history of the Defiant for Pen & Sword, and this Defiant was 141 Squadron's first Defiant fatal crash of the war. I've attached the casualty communication for this loss for reference. As to the crew, I drew a blank trying to find Wightmans family, but I have been given a couple of leads to the Keene family, now in Kent apparently. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted if you get to the crash site. https://www.flickr.com/photos/157796863@N06/shares/SLr4w8

No problem. I'm currently writing the history of the Defiant for Pen & Sword and have amassed quite a bit of material. There are apparently only ten Parasuits ( I know of six ) left worldwide as far as I know. One held by Hendon, one held by Irving Parachutes, at least two in private collections, and two held by the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge. I have several images of Defiants from 264 Squadron at readiness during the Battle of Britain and you can see the Parasuits draped over the tailplanes ready for their respective air gunners.

The GQ Parasuit aka Rhino suit had no Mae West fitted. It relied on pockets filled with Kapok for buoyancy, though it seems it really wasn't that good at staying afloat when immersed. The Parasuit seems to drop from common usage towards the end of 1940, with the air gunners wearing aircrew harnesses and carrying a clip on parachute in the turret itself.

The fairing was operated by compressed air - when the turret was turned, a set of cams opened/closed valves raising or lowering it. The air gunner could also operate the fairing manually, via a lever in the turret.