First and third pictures shows a RAF Vickers Wellington (retired in 19653), second photo might be a Handley Page Harrow (retired 1946).
I always liked this Wellington-onboard photo of a RAF flight Sergeant with his wrist watch, note the Iron & wooden airframe:
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May I ask: can this (design, "adjustments") on the back
be an old flight-jacket? Heavy !!! leather and RITSCH - zipper:
May I ask: can this (design, "adjustments") on the back
be an old flight-jacket? Heavy !!! leather and RITSCH - zipper:
Have a look here… from a book called Icons of Men’s Style.
I am using my watch as a paper weight…
And the two watch brands mentioned in the book are Rolex and Omega.
Have a look here… from a book called Icons of Men’s Style.
I am using my watch as a paper weight…
And the two watch brands mentioned in the book are Rolex and Omega.
Way back when I was at Willytown the aircrew were issued the green outer/orange inner jackets, and when they became worn or stained, they could return/exchange them at L Group (clothing store) for a new one. Not sure how many exchanges per year they were allowed, but I never saw a pilot in a worn/torn/dirty jacket.
The old jackets were all put in a big container behing the counter, and when it was full, the sentencing officer would check them and sign off as unserviceable. They would then be taken to the base tip and dumped.
A few of us were at the tip one day disposing of equipment packages that were too big for the bins in the hangar. We happened to notice the clothing store guys tip the jackets out into the same hole we were dumping the cartons.
We surreptitiously glanced at each other, gave a small nod and a "go slow" eventuated to allow the clothing store guys to leave.
As soon as that was done, we grabbed armfuls of jackets and jumped back into our truck and off to the section.
Trips to the dump often scored a few more jackets.
We had a few pilot mates and they were happy to take our jackets in for exchange for a new one.
This went on for over a year until an audit found that the clothing store was issuing more jackets than the base had aircrew!
Some clever officer who was on the BoS (Board of Survey) came up with the mandate that all exchanged jackets were to be sprayed with a large red cross using an indelible paint.
Bastard.
That ended the great flying jacket benefit for us troopies.
I still had three nice ones when I got out many years later.
So it was a Duxford day yesterday for six hours…. A few items to research and only covered two hangers… still lots to see and lots of aircraft having their winter spa treatment ready for the new season. Had the chance to get up close as well which is always welcome. There is one under restoration hidden in a photo below I am really hoping to see fly again. Maybe one of the best and most underrated planes of WW2…
Maybe one of the best and most underrated planes of WW2
Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
Learnt something new today as I didn't know there was an entry ladder underneath the rear section of the Cat.
By "most underrated aircraft", I'm guessing you're referring to the Hurricane? That's a beautiful example there. If memory serves me correct, it actually shot down more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire. Was also easier to repair after sustaining battle damage.
