AndyL

The control units for the radar were mounted on the cockpit sidewalls. On the starboard was the main on/off switch box and reset button, whereas the port side housed the control unit which had the spot and background brilliance controls, suppression control and the test button. I've yet to see an image with the actual radar display in place, but I'm working on it!

The pilot didn't have anything to worry about regarding the discharge of the .303's. When they were in the stowed position, an electrical cut out prevented firing. The guns could only be fired foward with a minimum elevation of 22 degrees above the horizontal.

There is a released casualty pack for this incident, held at the National Archives, file reference AIR 81/189.

If you wish to make contact with the 41 Squadron historian Steve Brew, drop me a line. He's a mate and I bet he would like get in touch. Regards Andy

I'm in too.

I'm in with this one

The casualty pack referring to L1376 crewed by Reed and Sismen is currently available to view at the National Archives, Kew.

Bearing in mind your project, I thought you might like to see this from Ian Kestin's casualty file.

Having spoken to the copyright holder of the photographs, he states that the images were taken at Catterick.

From going through Squadron Leader Hood's log book, he flew numerous Spitfires up until May 25th 1940 when he took on EB-R, only flying two other Spitfires on two separate occasions up until his death in action.

My apologies for not making it clear. Blue Note were in December 1940. T3913 in which Geoffrey Pledger was killed was fitted with that type of exhaust. my mistake for diverging from the original question

Defiants of 141 at Gravesend, mainly the later airframes had what was called 'Blue Note' exhausts - six ejector stubs as opposed to the round type usually fitted.

Matt, I was in touch with Ted Wolfe when I was writing the book - his log book and RAF material are now at the RAFM Hendon. Geoffrey's Defiant crashed at Little Hermitage, and it was suggested that the bad weather forced it into the ground. Possibly by what we now call a micro burst when a powerful down draught of air blew them out of the air. I have a poor quality snap of their crash on Watling Street. Will send you that. Message me your email and I will pass them on. Will try and source you a copy of my book too.

Matt, I have some photos of Geoffrey Pledger and his pilot Dennis Williams as I wrote a chapter about Dennis in The Faithful Few back in 2007. Are you aware that Geoffrey had survived two previous crashes before his death? I can provide you with more information if you so wish, including a little detail on his final flight. I have a pair of photos of him with Dennis ( who was his regular pilot ) and one of them on the beer in the pub garden of the George at Crawley, when they were based at Gatwick. Regards Andy

My apologies for not posting the reference to my Bf 109's I listed. They come from the Battle of Britain Then and Now. Other entries for E-7's include 5932 of II/JG53 on October 13th; 4183 of Stab I/JG53 flown by Hauptmann Karl Heinz Mayer the Gruppe Kommanduer on October 17th; 5930 of 5/JG52 lost on October 20th; 5929 of 1/JG52 lost on October 26th; and 4124 of Stab I/JG3 shot down at West Wickham on October 27th.

September 8th 1940. 8/JG53 lost an E-7 after a mid air collision over the Channel. Oberleutenant Kuhnert, the Staffel Kapitain was killed. Wr Nr.1171. II/LG2 had 2001 and 6515 damaged at Calais-Marck on September 5th. And 75 years ago today 3/LG2 had the E-7 flown by Oberleutenant von Perthes brought down at Crowhurst. Pilot baled out but was severely wounded and died of his injuries. Wr Nr.was 5600

Thank you all for the kind comments. It's much appreciated. Andy

Finished this tonight - one of my Airfix new tool 1/48 Hurricanes. An enjoyable build representing the Hurricane flown by Squadron Leader David Pemberton DFC of 1 Squadron. Thanks for looking.

The 264 Squadron ORB has Bailey listed as making two operational flights in August 1940. First one was on August 25th in L7003, reputed to be PS-L. The second sortie was August 28th in N1569.

Eric Ball on the left

Chap at right is the Canadian, Willie McKnight.

He scored a probable Bf 109 kill on August 31st 1940 in Spitfire L1020, which was coded XT-L.

As a follow on to my Defiant, I going to try and complete a 1/72 Eduard Bf 110 C, depicting Werk Nr. 3629, and coded 3U + 1M which was shot down near Arne, Dorset on September 27th 1940. The 110 eventually exploded in mid air near Middle Bere Farm, killing the crew - Oberleutenant Artur Neihbur and Obergerfreiter Klaus Theissen. Both are buried at Wareham. The attached image from my collection is their Bf 110 under attack by Pilot Officer Michael Staples of 609 Squadron. More as it comes, and thanks for looking.

Thank you all again for your kind comments. I am most flattered. Now, what next for this GB? Maybe something German. I had planned a Hurricane but we seem well up on the numbers with that one In the meantime I will finish the Hurricane I have on the bench, and go from there! Cheers, Andy

Defiant L7009 of 141 Squadron, lost July 19th 1940. Build thread here - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234985494-defiant-l7009-tw-h-141-squadron/