Adrian Dwyer

32 minutes ago, welbike said:

Ah, forgot about this topic, here a Matchless G3L I bought in Italy in 2020, and it was even running! waiting in line now to be restored, luckily no major modifications to the frame, only the tank and rear stand made into a centre stand.

Lex

Afternoon Lex,

No elastico? You don't know the fun you are missing!  What year is the bike and was your purchase a result of the Italian cull of older bikes?

All the best.

A

Great piece!  <

>

Thanks 2Sheds (is this a Monty Python reference or are you blessed with 2 sheds?).  I have now had the opportunity to look at a couple of ARMA Matchless frames.  They are sufficiently different to my elastico to make me think mine is either very early or, as was suggested some time ago, not made by ARMA.  The immediate post-war efforts of Benelli may well be one possibility.

Thanks again.  I look forward to the update.

While I think about it, you don't recognise the tool box, do you?

Yours,

A

19 hours ago, earlymb said:

This is a very interesting topic to follow, all of Blarg's adventures and all those different aircraft ☺️

I'm so glad that you and others have enjoyed it.  In addition to the excellent 'All Spitfire Pilots' site, I have come across a wealth of other detail concerning other RAF/SAAF/RAAF/RNZAF Spitfire squadrons and pilots flying in Italy as part of 2TAF.  I was struck by (a) the high rate of attrition they all suffered and (b) the tales of incredible escape from what Blagdon logged, so casually,  as 'H.A.A'. fire.  I feel a Vermouth coming on!

All the best and thanks again for commenting.

A

2 hours ago, Sean N said:

Adrian, an aside, but were you in 28 Amphibious Engineer Regiment?

Indeed I was: Feb '86 to Aug '87: TC 4Tp, 64 Amp Engr Sqn.  A period in my life when all was well with the world!  Were you there in the same period?

All the best.

A

Mk14A flying covies

I am hoping the contract number shown below (2273) - albeit from flying trousers not covies - helps establish the covies shown above (from HMS Illustrious: A66A/2241), are pre-'82.  Any thoughts?

Just come across this <https://www.facebook.com/groups/749749943166663/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=985706709570984>

Having thought the trail was cold re: the unknown Spitfire, it has warmed up.  The aircraft belonged to 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron: code DX.  Along with other aircraft (all Spitfire IX) it was last flown by Blag on 9 October 1945.  On 19 October 1945, the Squadron converted to Mustang IV.  Blagdon also flew Spitfire PT 957 (Squadron code DV [T]), as shown in the attached print. <https://library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=fsx&SearchTerm=spitfire&Sort=Added&ScanMode=0>.  If I had read his logbook with greater care, I may well have noticed that what I assumed to be the last page of his log for 145 Squadron was actually the first page of his time with 237!

So, the aircraft is DX [E], Spitfire IX of 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron, RAF, serial number NH269.  The question now, is what is the aircraft in the foreground!

Thank you to everyone who has shown an interest.

Cheers Blag!

8 minutes ago, Adrian Dwyer said:

The cropped image below is confirmed as squadron code PK: this is not the aircraft shown behind Blagdon.  Does it suggest the unknown squadron's second letter is likely to be X or Y?  Similarly, and allowing for font variations, is the letter preceding X or Y more likely to be O or Q (at a push, could it be D?)

Looking at the history of 4 Sqn SAAF (the option suggested above by Adrian Barrell) its locations are recorded as follows:

<http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/SAAF/4_wwII.html>

May-June 1944: Sinello
June 1944: Marcigliano
June-July 1944: Cisterna
July-October 1944: Foiana
October-November 1944: Rimini
November-December: Bellaria
December 1944-March 1945: Forli
March-May 1945: Ravenna
May-July 1945: Tissano

Dates/locations that coincide with Blag's flying are: No5 RFU at Sinella (presumably the same as 'Sinello'?)- but in Aug 44; and Ballaria (with 145 Squadron) Dec 44 - April '45.  This looks hopeful but the same site notes the squadron code for 4 Squadron Spitfires was KJ (as, indeed, does one of the wiki links).  However, a different wiki link cites DX.

Blag's meticulously compiled logbook shows he never flew as part of 4 Squadron - but must have encountered their aircraft as DAF progressed through Italy.  It also shows the tempo of flying - and the losses associated with low-level ground attack sorties - were both high.  Whatever the squadron, I salute them all.

On 5/10/2024 at 5:54 PM, Adrian Dwyer said:

Just found this image- Blag with a different Spitfire: auxiliary tank and wing pylons.  I am assuming this was whilst flying with 5 RFU (Italy or Sicily in '44).  Does anyone know which RAF Squadron within DAF was designated as shown [?] K?

All suggestions gratefully received!

All the best.

Adrian

The cropped image below is confirmed as squadron code PK: this is not the aircraft behind Blagdon.  Does it suggest the unknown squadron's second letter is likely to be X or Y?  Similarly, and allowing for font variations, is the letter preceding X or Y more likely to be O or Q (at a push, could it be D?)

18 minutes ago, Adrian Dwyer said:

Squadron codes matched to aircraft.  This seems interesting: <https://air-war.org.uk/GENERAL/rafcode.htm>

So, using that resource, squadrons that had: a first initial of B C D G O P R or S; had a second initial of K V X or Y; and flew Spitfires, were as follows: 19, 129, 134, 165, 275, 313, 314, 315 and 452.  Any other runners and riders?

A

Squadron codes matched to aircraft.  This seems interesting: <https://air-war.org.uk/GENERAL/rafcode.htm>

52 minutes ago, Adrian Barrell said:

You can discount several options by looking at what squadrons those codes related to.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RAF_squadron_codes

Thanks Adrian.  Yes, I looked at wiki but I'm not sure the list is comprehensive or adequately accommodates changes over time.  Indeed, comparing it with 'known' images showing squadron designators, it seems quite badly deficient.

Speaking of visiting aircraft and shared fields, the Mustang shown taxiing behind 'Blag's kite' is interesting.  Research by the Aircrew Remembered site <https://aircrewremembered.com/> has identified it as the P-51C ’66’ named 'By Request'. 

I quote: 'It was flown by Commanding Officer Col. Benjamin O. Davis of the Tuskegee Airman, 'Red Tails', 332nd Fighter Group. This was one of a few unique P-51B/Cs that had the extended tail fillet fitted to the D-model Mustangs. The name 'By Request' was apparently added after the Tuskegee Airman proved themselves as ferocious escort fighters and Bomber Groups requested them as escorts.'  Once you know the tail is red, you just can't stop seeing it.

Great image!

All the best.

A

11 hours ago, Adrian Barrell said:

Looks like DX which was 4 sqdn SAAF. They were in Italy in 44 flying ground attack sorties.

Thanks Adrian.  Of the options for the second letter - X Y and K - I thought K seemed the most likely (particularly by studying the aircraft in the background); but I accept X and Y also fit.  The first letter is trickier.  Depending upon the font, it could be: B C D G O P Q R or S!

The SAAF link is entirely reasonable.  I had assumed the aircraft must have been his but I suppose it may have been a visitor to 145 (squadron designation ZX), they may have shared a field or he got diverted.  So, more research required: what a blow!

Thanks again.

A

Also, early B-17s? <http://www.aviation-history.com/boeing/b17.html>

Just found this image- Blag with a different Spitfire: auxiliary tank and wing pylons.  I am assuming this was whilst flying with 5 RFU (Italy or Sicily in '44).  Does anyone know which RAF Squadron within DAF was designated as shown [?] K?

All suggestions gratefully received!

All the best.

Adrian

Building on the theme.  Source (not secure) <http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=73961>

In the interests of completeness, here is what was left of the Puma (AE-501) before the scavengers got really stuck in.

5 hours ago, Charlie2356 said:

Both these chinooks went to the Falklands... One was destroyed (AE 521) and the other was taken back to the UK for RAF service (AE 520)

The destruction was apparently due to cannon fire, a 30mm gun run by a Harrier FRS1 and then finally finished off with a BL775 by a different Harrier.

Thanks for the images, Charlie.  Yes, the history certainly credits 30mm cannon fire and supposes the BL755 (of 21 May) was wide of the mark.  As I say, the very burned submunition in the gearbox suggests at least one bomblet found its mark - but failed to detonate or 'cook-off'.  By 26 May (the second fighter sweep) the Chinook was burned out (i.e., the submunition had been there since 21 May).  Many bomblets were recovered from various sites hit by Harrier but this was the only 'cooked' one I came across.

Do you have images of AE-521 in theatre?

All the best.

A

On the morning of 21 May, 1982, Argentinian helicopters were caught on the ground on the northern slope of Mt. Kent by Sqdn Ldr Jerry Pook and Fl Lt Mark Hare (with a second attack on the damaged but potentially serviceable aircraft on 26 May). It was reported that the Chinook (AE-521) was destroyed by cannon fire.

Six-years later, the Stanley Detachment of 33 Engr Regt EOD undertook a survey of some crash sites on west and East Falkland (the insomniacs amongst you may recall the 'Dagger' fighterbomber post of August 2023).-Despite being set ablaze - and comprehensively consumed by fire - it was discovered that AE-521 still contained a BL755 submunition wedged within the rotor gearbox.  This was very much a burnt offering and, for my money, had been in place since 21 May.

A few weeks ago I came across some excellent and recent photographs of the Mt. Kent site (see: <https://www.flickr.com/.../intr.../albums/72157718720425022/>) - and dug out some of my own.  Through the wonders of google, I also found an image of AE-521 burning merrily on 21 May.  

If anyone has images of AE-521 in service, I'd love to see them.

All the best.

Adrian

9 hours ago, Charlie2356 said:

Ad

Lovely pics, I dont think your too late... it was revived in 2022 by myself and a few others and we managed to figure quite a lot out!

 

03 FD 45 is not a Falklands CVRT, the destroyed Scorpion was 02 FD 76

Morning Charlie - so pleased the old warhorse didn't end it's days with Fred Scuttle!

All the best.

A

Evidence of effective fire from Scorpion.  Recovered from Wireless Ridge.

The attached is from Martin Middlebrook's book ( 'The Fight for the Malvinas' p.255)