Browse Items (359 total)

  • Tags: Spitfire

ABoutcherFL180318.mp3
Frank Boutcher worked as a junior clerk for Southend Borough Council before the war. He wanted to join the Royal Navy but they only required able seamen on a long commission, so he joined the RAF instead, to train as an engine fitter. After…

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BMooreDMooreDv1.pdf
Dennis Moore's autobiography, compiled and edited by his son, Terry Moore.

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BRookeRRookeRv1.pdf
Autobiography of his early years, mainly training in the USA. Also included is an extract from Eleanor Roosevelt's diary, dated September 24, 1942. This includes a thank you letter from RAF trainees who were treated to American hospitality by Mama…

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MBoxDC1578987-180611-54.pdf
A book kept by Doug of Gunnery and Bombing training notes. It also contains black and white and colourised photographs of ground personnel and aircraft.

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EPerkinsEWRosserLV410317.pdf
Letter from Ed Perkins at RAF Acklington. Writes that they had been fog bound and unable to fly. Announced one of his squadron had shot down a JU-88 and comments on resulting celebration. Mentions bad news concerning mutual friend. Comments on Rosser…

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YJamesER[Ser#-DoB]v1.pdf
A detailed diary of ER James' operations. On the first pages are a photograph of his crew and their names. Included with the text are several aerial photographs and newspaper cuttings.

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SKingEJ182986v10084.jpg
Five items, Edward's description of the operation to bomb Panzer concentrations in woods, requested by Field Marshall Montgomery. As the operation was in daylight Edward was able to describe the scene not too long after D Day. There is also Edwards…

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BPerkinsFWJPerkinsFWJv1.pdf
Covers joining the RAF, training as an engineer and first posting to RAF Christchurch which undertook radar research. Writes of life and flying as observer in Fairey Battle on radar measurement flights. The unit then moved to RAF Defford. Goes on to…

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YShepherdGC3030576v1.pdf
Information on the RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF, Indian Air Force, the Eire Air Corps, aircraft photographs and information. Air Force decorations, aviation world records. Continues with pages of information on aerodromes, RAF badges, aircraft instruments,…

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MCruickshankG629128-150428-300001.jpg
Cigarette lighter mounted on a wooden base with model Spitfire on brass rod.

Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.

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EJuddGGBirtRC420419.pdf
Mentions that he is used to Spitfires now although he cannot tell them much about them but mentions a little anyway. Comment that he had not heard from them and mentions his birthday. Describes briefly his daily activities.

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PWildR1602.jpg
Ralph was conscripted into the army but wanted to join the air force. He eventually became an instrument repairer and trained at RAF Cranwell. When war started, he volunteered for aircrew but was not transferred for some time. Briefly in 242…

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PCurnockRM1602.jpg
Richard Curnock was born in Grantham and joined the Royal Air Force in 1941.He achieved the rank of warrant officer and served in 425 Squadron. Richard tells of how he followed his two older brothers into the services, and his time serving in the Air…

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BBlacklockGBBlacklockGBv1.pdf
Group Captain Blacklock writes of his life, from his youth to the award of his DFC by the King.

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SRAFIngham19410620v040001-Audio.mp3
Jan Stangrycuik (Black) was born and raised in Poland. When he was a teenager, his family emigrated to Argentina for a better life. When the British Embassy called for volunteers to join the war effort, Jan answered the call and sailed, with 700…

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SRAFIngham19410620v050001-Audio.mp3
Lech Gierak was born in Poland and, after the death of his father, made his way to England and joined the Polish Air Force. He worked as an armourer on a number of stations and, after the war, moved to Stoke on Trent to become a miner. Lech talks…

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BPayneGPayneGv1.pdf
Geoff Payne's autobiography divided into five chapters.

Chapter 1. Under Training. Covers the period between being assessed in Birmingham Geoff before setting off to London in August 1942 for training at Lords. Initial training was at RAF…

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MDunnGC149315-170308-01.jpg
An extract from George's logbook with a summary of his flying in the RAF. It includes aircraft type, where and hours flown.

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MMolloyS[Ser#-DoB]-160212-01.pdf
Contains photographs, silhouettes and drawings of British, American and Russian aircraft, showing dimensions, armament, armour plate or glass, and position of fuel tanks. Tables set out aircraft capabilities, including range and bomb loads.

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PFisherT1701.jpg
Thomas Fisher initially trained as a fitter in the RAF. When the Air Ministry announced that flight engineers were needed from the ranks of the ground mechanics he volunteered for training. The CO was surprised that he volunteered and asked him if it…

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PLambJ1702.jpg
Jim joined the RAF as an aircraft technician as soon as war broke out, thinking it would not last long. He joined 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell on Wellingtons, then went to RAF Mildenhall, returning to RAF Feltwell. He went to RAF Oakington and RAF…

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PWillettS19010007.jpg
Vertical reconnaissance photograph of flooding following Operation Chastise. Captioned 'Frodenberg [Fröndenberg] 13 miles down stream from the Mohne Dam showing the flood water after the Dambuster raid on on 16th 17th May 1943 photo taken by F/O F…

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PWillettS19010009.jpg
Vertical aerial photograph with two images of the Eder Dam captioned 'Photographs of the Eder Dam taken on 18th May 1943, thirty hours after the attack by 617 sqdn. Taken by F/O D G Scott in Spitfire PRX1 serial EN411 of 542 sqdn. (double photo…

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PWillettS19020061.jpg
One vertical aerial photograph and a typewritten report (K 1411) interpreting photographs taken on 4 October 1942 following a daylight attack (2 October 1942) on the aerodrome and village of Longuenesse. The report describes damage to hangars in the…

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PSearleROJ17050039.jpg
Air-to air view of six Spitfires, in flight. It is captioned 'We'll be there'.

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