I have finally stopped giggin for good.

[John Vasco]

Great! By the way, my uncle Harry ran across the border to Canada during neutrality and joined the RCAF in 1940. He trained to become a fighter pilot there and was then posted to RAF Hawarden in Flintshire, Wales, and No. 57 OTU, where he transitioned into the Spitfire. While waiting for a posting to the Eagle squadrons he was killed while training another pilot in aerobatics in a Miles Master. The plane went down in Upton near Chester. We've visited his grave at St. Dieniol's Church that overlooks Hawarden Airport.

While he was at Hawarden, Spitfire MkI K9942, the oldest extant Spit, was assigned there. After suffering Cat. B damage on June 5, 1940 in the Battle of Britain, it was repaired and relegated to training service and ended up at Hawarden. K8842 didn't show up in Harry's flight logbook but it comforting to know that it was there on the flight line and he lusted after it as he walked by to the others. I want to visit the plane at Cosworth next time I come to visit.

Knowing you love history I thought you might enjoy that little tidbit.

Bob

Interesting story Bob!
5 June 1940
K9942
72 Squadron
Gravesend
Belly-landed following routine patrol 9:52 p.m.. Cause unknown. Sgt. R F Hamblyn unhurt. Aircraft damaged but repairable.

 

[garywright]

amazing info John !

 

[John Vasco]

amazing info John !

Hamblyn flew with 610 Squadron during the Battle of Britain.

Sgt. Ronald F. Hamlyn of 610 Squadron: 610 Squadron was part of 11 Group which operated from English bases closest to the English Channel and was the first line of defense against incoming Nazi raiders. Ronnie Hamlyn aka “The Pied Piper of Harrogate”, was one of the first RAF pilots to become an ace-in-a-day when he downed a Ju 88 and four Bf 109's in three sorties on 24 August 1940. For this feat he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal; but for this feat he might have been in really hot water.

The previous day he had pranged his Spitfire while landing at Biggin Hill and on the morning of 24 August he was waiting to see his CO having been charged with negligence. As he awaited his fate the alarm bell went off and he scrambled to intercept the incoming Nazi raiders. During that sortie he shot down a Ju 88 and one of the escorting Bf 109's over Dover. Upon landing he reported back to the CO's office but before he could be seen the alarm bell went off again and he had to excuse himself to scramble again. This time he shot down another Messerschmit. Once again he returned to the CO's office and once again the alarm bell sounded while he was waiting and once again he scrambled to intercept the incoming raid. This time he shot down two 109s over London. After landing he finally was seen by his Commanding Officer who sternly told him that he was recommending him for the DFM!