Popular Post Mark Harmsworth Posted March 21, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted March 21, 2021 On the 13th January 1945 Liberator GR VI 'J' EW310 took off from RAF Leuchars at 09.23hrs for a patrol off the coast of Norway. They returned at 20.55 hrs. Piloted by F/O M.J. Frost there was a crew of 9 including air-gunner Sgt D.V. Harmsworth (my dad). The Operations Record Book states: “ . . . . nothing sighted”. That's a lot of flying to see nothing but that was not uncommon at this stage of the war as Coastal Command was hunting U-boats off the coast of Norway and into the Baltic. Dad died getting on for 30 years ago and we never really talked much about his wartime experiences. When I wanted to know he was no longer there. So most of what I've found out has had to come from research. I started with his service record, which I got from the RAF, and having found that he was in 206 Squadron, then went to the Operations Record Books at the National Archives. I was fortunate in that 206 sqn recorded both the serial numbers and code letters of each aircraft so I can be sure he was on EW310 on that day. Dad was posted to 206 sqn at RAF Leuchars on 14th November 1944 having been trained as an air-gunner. He was 19 years old – to put that in perspective he had still been at school during the Battle of Britain. The day after he had arrived an action took place which resulted in him joining an experienced crew under the worst circumstances. The following is taken from the fine book 'Naught Escapes Us: the story of 206 squadron' by Peter B Gunn and from the online 'Sumburgh Airport Archives': On the 15th November 1944 Liberator 'D' EW288 was attacked by three Bf110s three miles off the coast of Norway. Cannon shells put one engine out of action, rendered the hydraulic systems useless, hit the wireless receiver and knocked out the intercom. It was difficult to take evasive action. After nearly an hour one of the gunners hit the port engine of one of the attackers who then all broke off the action. EW288 limped back to Sumburgh in the Shetlands with massive damage. Large parts of the tail were gone. The radio aerial had been shot away, and they had to use the one from the dinghy. All loose equipment had to be dumped, and on their last drop of fuel the virtually uncontrollable Liberator was brought in for a good belly landing. One gunner had been killed and another had to have a leg amputated. As Peter Gunn says: “The fact that the aircraft and all but one of the crew survived at all owed everything to the skill of the individuals involved and the ruggedness of the Liberator.” It's difficult to imagine how my dad would have felt joining that crew. He would usually have been occupying the mid upper or rear turrets and it was the rear that had suffered the most from those Bf110s. I remember him saying that he would spend hours peering into the distance, sometimes in the dark, and waiting. Here then is the Hasegawa 1:72 B-24J 'Coastal Command' boxing which I've attempted as EW310 PQ-J being made ready for that mission at Leuchars on 13th January 1945. My research showed that these Liberators had Leigh Lights fitted so I used a resin set from Pavla for that. The little chap on the ladder is a mechanic from CMK (I scratch built the rag in his hand!) and the ladder is from the Airfix bomber re-supply set. Paints are xtracrylix with chalk pastels for the exhaust staining, oils for a few panel lines and the decals are from xtradecal sets and the spares box. I was prompted to take some photos and to post this as a result of a post by @Ravnos about his grandfather who was at Leuchars at the same time as my dad. Thanks for that nudge. All the best Mark 114 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Great looking Liberator there Mark, really nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Interesting and moving real story and very nice model! Regards J-W 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 This is a very nice Liberator and a most interesting story. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Beautiful model and a wonderful tribute to your Dad and the rest of his crew. Liberators could take just as much punishment as Flying Fortresses, as evidenced by the action report. Wait until @tonyot sees this one- he has a soft spot for Liberators! Well done. It's amazing what can still be found regarding official records, even after 80 years! One of the neatest things about our hobby is researching and preserving what those young men and women did through our models. Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeekendModeler Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Great work, Mark, and a moving tribute to your father. I'm currently trying to gather the required parts for a 1:35 M15 CGMC build to honor my grandfather who drove them during his time in the US Army. I never got to talk to him about his experiences during the war, but, I at least, feel we can connect to them in a way by reconstructing the vehicles they served in. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Womby Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Terrific build and tribute. David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Very nice indeed and a great family back story,.... you must be very proud of him. For info,.... EW310 and other GR.VI`s...... EV879, EV880, EV886, EV888, EV890, EV896, EV943, EV948, EV986/EV988, EV992, EV995, EV997, EV998, EW100, EW290, EW297, went on to be converted post war into C.VI`s by Lockheed at Speke,.... which usually meant stripping it out and fitting rudimentary seating, they usually retained whatever scheme they were already finished in, adding serials under the wings and a fairing over the nose and tail turret openings,.....also removing the mid upper too. EW310 went to 86 Sqn but when taking off from Oakington bound for Lubeck on 20.12.45 it failed to take off and crashed.... flown by Wing Commander Fleetwood. Before joining 206 Sqn it had served as XB-R with 224 Sqn between 29.7.44- 29.12.44. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 A great build and a great story. Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
npb748r Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 really great build and lovely story. A real shame you never got chance to ask those questions at the time but that, I think, is common to a lot of us. There aren't many people lucky enough to have a backstory like that (my dad was in 298 squadron - rear gunner on halifax Mk 9's) and the chance to chat to those WW2 hero's is nearly lost unfortunately. Your build has inspired me - I have the 1/32 liberator and have been wondering about colour schemes and markings. Looking at how good yours is I think I've found the answer ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2996 Victor Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 A wonderful build and a fascinating back story. A superb tribute to your Dad, Mark, he would be proud, I'm sure. Kind regards, Mark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 That's awesome work 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Great looking model and tribute to your Dad. I'm in the same position researching my Father. I have his RAF records, just trying to piece it all together. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Excellent work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Great story, great build, great tribute🏆 cheers, Jan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted March 21, 2021 Share Posted March 21, 2021 Beautiful build Mark & thanks for sharing your Dad's story. It really lends another dimension to your build. Steve. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff G Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Remarkable story and model. Surely an inspiration to many of us. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 A very impressive build with an affecting story to go with it! Anyone who flew in these aircraft, in that era, is a hero to me. Well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Aer Lingus Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Fantastic model great back story and info you should be very proud of your dad's service thank you for sharing E. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunny Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Lovely finish and a great personal connection Mark - congratulations! Cheers, Roger 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 A fantastic model and obviously a great bit of history. The story of anti-U-boat operations in the Baltic and off Norway, long after the Battle of the Atlantic was won, is less well known. I like the chap polishing the Leigh light - reminds me of the well-known official photo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Congratulations on such a fine model, well done 👏. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 A beautiful model and fantastic tribute to a real war hero - made even more poignant the (very) personal connection. The CC scheme suits the Lib so well - it takes on a whole new majesty in white/grey - gorgeous! Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomLover Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 Thank you for your story Mark. Your model turned out very nice as well! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted March 22, 2021 Share Posted March 22, 2021 21 hours ago, 72modeler said: Beautiful model and a wonderful tribute to your Dad and the rest of his crew. Liberators could take just as much punishment as Flying Fortresses, as evidenced by the action report. Wait until @tonyot sees this one- he has a soft spot for Liberators! Well done. It's amazing what can still be found regarding official records, even after 80 years! One of the neatest things about our hobby is researching and preserving what those young men and women did through our models. Mike I agree 100%. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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