fourfax.co.uk

Lance Brook, a former GLO with IV Squadron, died very unexpectedly in the very early hours of Saturday morning 23rd August.

Lance will always be remembered as a friend of the RAF in general and IV(AC) Sqn in particular. Our condolences to Virginia.

The funeral will take place at the Moray Crematorium, Broadley, Clochan, by Buckie on Tuesday 2nd September 2008 at 10.00 hrs. No flowers please, but any donations may be made to the Army Benevolent Fund.

A bad person on the internet has hacked our site. The link to the Gallery isn’t working and loads of spams have been sent to the forums.

I’ve sorted out the forums and I’ll get onto the Gallery as soon as I can.

There’s an online petition to Downing Street trying to raise support for a dedicated Military & Veterans Hospital:

Just some background: 2 Para alone have on this tour sent back over 50 casualties to the UK and from one who has been to Selly Oak I know that many cannot be accommodated so when all of the casualties from other battle groups are added to the figure, how is ONE ward in an NHS hospital going to cope? It cannot cope, the individual troops are sent home to recover relying on NHS visiting services which themselves are over committed.

A lot more than 5000 names are needed for this petition and quite cynically, Downing Street has put a time limit of one month for this to be achieved.

Do what you can. Please copy the link below to confirm your signature on the petition at the bottom of this email. The deadline is 19 August 2008.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Wounded/ the petition was created by Denzil Connick and reads:

‘We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Create a dedicated Military & Veterans Hospital within the UK.’

From Torsten Nienaber:

Maybe it is interesting for you and the users of fourfax.co.uk that we added some videos of IVSqn Harrier operations on our website www.sg-etuo.de. We are also in the process of translating the website into english.

Torsten

Alan Pollock has compiled a wonderful record of Tony Boyle’s life as remembered by his friends and colleagues.

You can read it here.

I’ve finally cracked the Gallery - please let me know if it doesn’t work properly for you.

It’s taken a while but the website is up and running (almost) properly again. The photo gallery is not integrated as it should be, but it is working.

I’ll be continuing to make improvements to the site over the next few days. I’ll probably change the appearance completely because the Wordpress theme that we use (Scattered2) isn’t compatible with the latest version of Wordpress which makes it much harder to keep the underlying software up-to-date.

Craig Busby writes:

Presently working on a project to trace the histories of all the RAF P-40 aircraft.

What I’m hoping someone may be able to assist me. I trying to find out if the Sqdn archives or any members have any photographs or information on the Tomahawks flown by the Unit, such as code etc.

[If anyone can help I'll put you in touch with Craig - Chris]

Late notice, I know, but I’ve only just heard myself.

Tony Boyle (a pilot on IV(AC) between 1950 and 1959) passed away suddenly last Tuesday. His funeral is tomorrow, Wednesday 28 May, at 12 noon, at:

St Mary Magdalene Church, East Castle Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4AQ (I have a map if anyone needs a copy)

There will be a reception afterwards.

Our condolences to Tony’s sister, Penny.

From a pilot pal for any pilots flying this weekend:

Again this year Essex Air Cadets will be helping at the Southend Air Show on 25 and 26 May. As well as helping with organising and running the Show there will be a demonstration Radio Station on Air. The station will be using very basic equipment but if conditions are good it is hoped to make many contacts. They will be on Air during day time as below.

If you have an opportunity during your flight to contact us on your HF radio suggested information to send is set out below. This year special frequencies have been assigned for use and details are as follows:
Short Range: 5420 Khz - Up to 500 miles
Medium Range: 11184 Khz - 700 to 2000 miles
13218 Khz 900 to 2500 Miles
These distance are approximate and will depend on the conditions on the day.

Our Callsign: MRV 50
Transmission times: 0900Z to 1600Z

Please remember that you will possibly be talking to a 13 year old cadet and this will be their first time talking on a radio, so they might ask you to repeat a few times! Please be patient. Likewise if you don’t have the correct order they won’t mind!

Your Callsign
Signal Report (Radio Check)
Aircraft Type
Aircraft Registration
Aircraft location/position
Departure Airport
Destination Airport
Flight Level
Air Speed
ETA Destination
Additional Information you may wish to add

If conditions are difficult you may wish to send only a selection of above.

Other Air Cadet Stations may be on the Air and if you can not contact us they may ask you to pass the information through them. Air Cadet Call signs all start MR.

Many thanks and on behalf of the cadets we look forward to speaking to you

George Capon Sqn Ldr RAFVR(T)

I’ve just received the sad news that Colin Medhurst died just before Christmas last year.
Colin was a fitter on the Squadron from 1965 to 1968 when the Squadron operated the Hunter FR10 at Gutersloh. After leaving the RAF Colin joined Cossor Electronics (later Raytheon) before finally retiring in 1997.
Our condolences to his family.

Some bad things happened to the website when I was away skiing. First, the host server (in Canada) crashed and the whole site went down. That got fixed as soon as I became aware of it but the Gallery is still off-line - I’m on the case.

Secondly, my email program stopped collecting my FourFax email without telling me, so I’m only now catching up on messages sent to me since the beginning of April.

Sorry for all these snags - I know how frustrating it can be.

Chris

Some more information from Anthony Hodge:

The RAF Aircraft Movement Records for Spitfire P7505

P7505 a Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIA was manufactured in the Castle Bromwich factory in the West Midlands, and was number 132 off the production line. It was transferred to no. 8 Maintenance Unit on October 10th 1940, and then, just at that critical time during the final stage of the Battle of Britain, P7505 was delivered to 66 Squadron on October 21st.

On November 12th P7505 received Category ‘C2’ damage due to enemy action. After repairs were made the Spitfire was then handed over to 91 Squadron on February 14th 1941. On May 6th, 118 Squadron took the plane over with the code number NK - T.

On July 31st, the plane was handed over to 403 Squadron. On August 4th, 54 Squadron took the plane over. Spitfire P7505 was handed back to 403 Squadron on August 25th.

On August 30th P7505 had a Flying Accident resulting in Category ‘B’ damage. On September 2nd the plane was sent away to be repaired and converted to a Spitfire Mk VA, fitted with a Merlin 45 engine, at Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. It was then returned to 54 Squadron on March 1st 1942.

133 Squadron had P7505 from March 10th. Then 601 Squadron took the plane over on April 10th, (but may actually have been used by 421 Squadron instead). Afterwards 164 Squadron used P7505 from May 20th. On August 17th the Spitfire had a Category ‘A’ Flying Accident. On September 10th, 602 Squadron took over the plane until September 22nd when P7505 was flown to Scottish Aviation Ltd for a Major Inspection and overhaul.

On October 21st P7505 was flown to to Philips and Powis Ltd for a fuel system modification.

On January 25th 1943 the Spitfire was then transferred to Heston Aircraft ltd for a major conversion into a PR. XIII Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire, and was fitted with a Merlin 32 engine.

Approximately nine months later, on December 30th 1943, P7505 was delivered to 4 Squadron for Photo Reconnaissance training duties.

Spitfire P7505 is recorded being at no 6 Maintenance Unit on March 31st 1944. and was struck off charge on March 28th 1945.

Anthony Hodge writes:

(If anyone can help with this query please contact me and I’ll put you in touch with Anthony)

I am writing today to ask if you would be very kind and see if there is any way you could assist me in my researches centered around the history of one unusual Spitfire P7505 that survived the duration of the war here in the UK.

In brief I am seeking information in connection with Spitfire P7505, any squadron details from December 1943 to March 1945 when P7505 was apparently used by 4 Squadron in photo reconnaissance work, as part of the Second Tactical Air Force and the forthcoming invasion of Europe. Do you have any squadron activity records of that period, or pilots logbook notes, or pictures, or know of anyone I could contact please? Thank you for taking the time for reading this, and any help you may offer will be greatly received.

Best wishes, Anthony Hodge. Amateur aviation historian.

‘For we shall remember them’ - The History Of Spitfire P7505

P7505, a Supermarine Spitfire Mk 2A was manufactured in the Castle Bromwich factory in the Midlands and left the Maintenance Unit on the 10th October 1940, just at that critical time during the final stage of the battle of Britain P7505 was delivered to 66 Squadron. On the 21st October 1940 it received Category 2 damage due to enemy action. After repairs were made it was given to 91 Squadron for Air Service Training. On the 14th February 1941 118 Squadron took the plane over with the serial number NK-T .On the 6th May 1941 403 Squadron took possession of the plane. On the 31st July 1941 54 Squadron took the plane over. On the 4th of August 1941 P7505 was again used for Air Service Training, until the 2nd of September 1941 when the plane was converted to a Mk VB and fitted with a Merlin 45 engine. It was then delivered back to 54 Squadron until 5th January 1942? 133 Squadron had the plane up to the 10th March 1942. Then 601 Squadron took it over until the 10th of April 1942. Afterwards 164 Squadron used P7505 until the 20th May 1942. 602 Squadron had the Spitfire until the 10th September 1942. Then it was taken to Philip Powis at South Marston for a fuel system modification. Afterwards the plane was then transferred to Heston Aircraft ltd for a major conversion into a PRX111 Photo Reconnaissance Spitfire, and fitted with the Merlin 32 engine. Approximately eleven months later P7505 was then delivered to 4 Squadron on the 30th December 1943 where apparently it remained until being struck off charge on the 28th March 1945.

I’ve finally had a chance to catch up on some website admin and I’ve uploaded loads of new photos to the gallery.

There are new photos of the Sqn 95th in June provided by the Squadron, photos of a field deployment in 1987 provided by Kevin Verdon, and the two photos of XZ965 in the Beijing Aviation Museum (see below).

Jim Fernie passed these photos to me. They were taken by Simon Ludlow at the
Aviation Museum in Beijing. (32p entrance fee!)

I never thought one of our GR3s would be preserved in China!

Torsten Nienaber writes:

Maybe our new website about RAF Gutersloh (airfield Gutersloh from 1935 until today) might be of interest for you and your members. There are a lot of pictures of IV (AC) Squadron aircraft.

The direct link to the IV (AC) squadron pages is here

At the moment the website is in German only but there is a link to a Google translation (but Google offers a poor translation job).

IV (AC) Squadron and the Association had a fantastic weekend 1st and 2nd June to celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the formation of the Squadron.

The Friday ‘Meet and Greet’ was attended by about 150. Catching up with friends from the past was the main focus of this event and this aspect was definitely ‘Duty Carried Out’. There were members from all over the world, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and USA to mention a few. The Committee had felt that a bar extension till midnight would be sufficient, but in the event there would almost certainly have been people there if the bar had been open till 3am. It was just as well it wasn’t because Saturday was a full day.

The weather was fantastic, appreciated by the 400+ that attended. The Squadron had organised a full programme of Naval Gun Team, Bouncy Castle, Rodeo Bull, Volley Ball, Motorcycle Demo, Squadron Shop, Strawberries and Cream Stall and face painter. In addition, in the bright afternoon sunshine, we were treated to a most impressive flying display which included Harriers, Hawk, Tucano, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Sea King helicopter and a fully aerobatic glider – all the more impressive given that this date clashed with the Biggin Hill Airshow. The afternoon was rounded off with a Hog/Lamb roast and BBQ, and live music. The weekend was memorable, well organised and great fun.

Thanks must go to the Squadron, who, even though they were deploying the next week, did a fantastic job in setting-up the whole event. Special thanks are due to the principal organisers – they know who they are – and the Squadron’s cheery volunteer bar staff who were so busy they didn’t even have time to have a drink themselves. Well Done Happy Four and a big Thank You. In Futurum Videre.

Tony McKeon

Mike O’G has sent me the first photos of Saturday’s Open Day (thanks Mike!). See them in the Gallery.

The final figures for the weekend are 81 for Friday’s Meet & Greet and 153 for Saturday’s Open Day. Adding to this are 50 Sqn members on Friday and 180 Sqn members and their families for Saturday, making a Grand Total of 130 for the Meet & Greet and 330 for the Open Day.

Unfortunately, I won’t be one of them. I’m in Sydney, Australia, on a trip and won’t be back until Tuesday morning. This trip is eight days from start to finish so it proved impossible to talk anyone into swapping…

Have a great time!

Chris