Browse Items (441 total)
Sort by:
Ernie Twells’ navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Ernie Twells, flight engineer, covering the period from 15 June 1943 to 19 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF Swinderby, RAF Woodhall Spa, RAF Bramcote,…
617 Squadron memorial tie
Maroon tie with sky blue stripes and a repeated small dam with lightning strikes.
Rupert the bear mascot
A black corduroy teddy bear with a red bow tie and red paws. Rupert was made for his daughter from material left over from making a coat; but it became Ernie Twells' lucky charm. The bear accompanied him on 65 operations with 617 and 619 Squadrons,…
Ernie Twells' decorations
Ernie Twells' medals and ribbons with cases. Medals are Distinguished Flying Cross, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star and Air Crew Europe Star, Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp. Also included is a 617 Squadron badge.
Bomb aimers briefing 12 June 1944 - Caen
Shows several bomb loads with some crossed out. Details preselector settings and other information. Includes timings, route and marking method. On the reverse bombing instructions, oboe marking and mentions 617 Squadron dropping 12000 pound bombs. At…
Album title page
Captioned 'Flight Lieutenant Ernie Twells D.F.C. 619 Squadron 24 missions 617 Squadron 41 missions'.
Ernie Twells' recommendation for D.F.C.
A document recommending the award of a Distinguished Flying Cross to Ernie Twells.
Airmen and Lancasters at at Archangel Yagodnik USSR
Flight Lieutenant Knights and crew. Ernie Twells is third from right, standing in front of a Lancaster. Flight Lieutenant Knights is third from the left.
The two starboard engines of a Lancaster viewed from inside the aircraft. In the background…
The two starboard engines of a Lancaster viewed from inside the aircraft. In the background…
Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights and crew
A group of six airmen, Ernie Twells is third from right, standing in front of a Lancaster. Flight Lieutenant Knights is third from the left. All have their hands behind their backs except one man who has his right hand in his pocket.
Starboard engines, Lancaster
The two starboard engines of a Lancaster viewed from inside the aircraft. In the background are two more Lancasters, On the reverse 'PB415 Yagodnik'.
Ernie Twells on a Lancaster engine
Ernie Twells is climbing on the starboard outer engine of Lancaster PB414. The view is from the inside the aircraft. On the reverse is 'PB414 Yagodnik'.
Engine change on Lancaster PB415
Taken from inside a Lancaster, looking to the starboard side from the rear door. An engine is on a crane with several ground crew working on it. On the reverse 'Archangel (Yagodnik) 17.9.44 Engine Change on PB415'.
Lancasters at Yagodnik
A view from a Lancaster of other Lancasters on the ground. On the reverse 'Lancasters at Yagodnik'.
Gnome Rhone works
Aerial photographs of the bombing of the Gnome Rhone aero engine works. Photograph 1 is a vertical aerial photograph of a bombing attack on the Gnome Rhone works. Much of the image is obscured by smoke and explosions. On the reverse 'Raid on Gnome…
Ernie Twells and airmen
Ernie Twells and five airmen colleagues before he became aircrew. Captioned 'Ernie Twells 2nd from right'. On the reverse the names and addresses of four of the other men.
Bob Knights and seven crew wearing flying gear standing in front of…
Bob Knights and seven crew wearing flying gear standing in front of…
Munich and of the Tirpitz
A vertical target photograph of Munich being bombed. Much of the detail is obscured by anti-aircraft fire. Captioned '66 WS. 24/25.4.44 // NT8” 18500 [arrow] 026 0145 Munich.RD. A 6RS. 6JCL 29 SECS F/O KNIGHTS A 617.'
A target photograph of the…
A target photograph of the…
Bob Knights' target photograph of the Tirpitz
A vertical aerial photograph much obscured by cloud, smoke and explosions. Captioned '671 LOS. 29.10.44 14000 330 07.52 TIRPITZ B1 1x12000 C.31 Secs F/Lt KNIGHTS 0.617'.
The Tirpitz firing its guns, taken from onboard the vessel.
The Tirpitz firing its guns, taken from onboard the vessel.
617 Squadron veteran reunion
A reunion of veteran airmen, including Ernie Twells and Leonard Cheshire. They are all wearing suits with their campaign medals pinned to their chests.
Ernie Twell's Lancaster DV385
Nose art on a Lancaster. There is a cartoon rabbit laughing and holding a glass of beer. It is sitting in a patch of grass and flowers. On the right are bombs representing 35 operations. On the reverse 'Presumably must be DV385'.
Leonard Cheshire and officer
A three quarters portrait of Leonard Cheshire and another officer. They have raised glasses of beer and are smiling.
A civilian and two airmen under a Lancaster with a mocked up bouncing bomb during the filming of The Dam Busters. Standing with…
A civilian and two airmen under a Lancaster with a mocked up bouncing bomb during the filming of The Dam Busters. Standing with…
Ernie Twells' Obituary and letter from the King
Ernie Twells' obituary detailing his life before, during and after the war.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bill Howarth and four veterans
Five veterans standing beside a bouncing bomb exhibit. Behind is the front of a Lancaster 'C'. Captioned 'Bill Howarth rear gunner on Dams raid (far left)'.
A Lancaster flying over the nose of another Lancaster 'C'.
A Lancaster flying over the nose of another Lancaster 'C'.
617 Squadron veterans
A group of five veterans in civilian clothing. Captioned 'From Left: Leonard Cheshire, Ralph Cochrane Johny Farquier'.
Veterans on way to reunion
A group of nearly 50 veterans on the boarding steps of a British Caledonian Boeing 707. They are posed for the photograph and are all waving. Captioned 'Reunion trip to Canada Early 1970's'.
Bob Knights' Obituary
The obituary of Flight Lieutenant Bob Knights. It details his operations on the Tirpitz, his early life, his training in Florida, his time with 617 Squadron and his role with BOAC after the war until his retirement in 1976.