Secrets of the transport museum

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Secrets of the transport museum

This topic has 17 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 26 May 2021 at 15:21 by KWIL.

Viewing 18 posts - 1 through 18 (of 18 total)

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25 May 2021 at 23:15 #547118
duncan webster 1
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@duncanwebster1
Tonight they discovered a WW2 airforce uniform. It had 3 stripes on the sleeve, a one wing badge and AG letters. Now I would have guessed this meant sergeant air gunner, but they announced it belonged to a pilot officer who flew spitfires. At the same time they were showing what I think were Bolton Paul Defiants, not many spitfires had a rear facing gun turret.

Any aviation enthusiasts want to put me right?
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25 May 2021 at 23:15 #36437
duncan webster 1
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@duncanwebster1
25 May 2021 at 23:47 #547125
peak4
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@peak4
Was it this badge by any chance?
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30069111

Bill
26 May 2021 at 00:32 #547131
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
Couldn't see it that well, certainly one wing. The AG was brass? Letters, also had VR on lapels which I guess is volunteer reserve
26 May 2021 at 02:29 #547134
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
as you will see by the time (UK) I'm not having a good night.

The plot thickens on the uniform issue. According to RAFVR, prior to 1943 officers would have worn the brass VR on their collar (lapels?) other ranks on their shoulders, but the uniform in the programme had the VR on lapel and sergeants stripes.

Another site says that RAFVR were only officers, but the link above clearly mentions ORs. Perhaps the owner got promoted and retrained to fly Spits

Edited By duncan webster on 26/05/2021 02:30:53
26 May 2021 at 08:06 #547145
John Hinkley
Participant
@johnhinkley26699
I noticed that as well, Duncan. Let's face it, it wasn't easy to miss! Found myself shouting at the television – a trait that seems to be getting more prevalent these days. Is it me getting more senile or is it the TV content? I'd like to think it is the latter. But that is bye-the-bye, there was a document in one of the pockets which supposedly gave the owner's name, so it shouldn't be beyond the wit of man to trace him through RAF records, surely.

My experience of the museum is not reassuring. I have a Brooklands Drivers Club badge (numbered) which was given to me by a friend of my late mother. I enquired of the museum if they had any club records in their archives which could help me trace the original owner. I received no reply but didn't follow it up until a couple of years later when I took it with me on a visit to the museum. I enquired at reception if I could consult the archivist. A phone call was made, giving the details of my enquiry but I was told that "no one was available". I haven't pursued it any further. I suspect it will go to a dealer when I've had my "half-day out with the undertaker".

John
26 May 2021 at 09:15 #547156
Mike Hurley
Participant
@mikehurley60381
Not Bolton Paul Defiants Duncan, as you said they had a rear facing turret but a slender nose profile like Spits & Hurricanes. The ones in the film had large radiator cowls at the front, much like the later Hawker Typhoon. Saying that, the ones in the film appeared to have elogated cockpits behind the pilot – for a second crew member ? As far as I'm aware the Typhoons only ever had as single 'teardrop' canopy.

Film was only on for a few seconds so couldn't be sure – I think its repeated sometime – I'll try and catch it and have a better look if no one can come up with an answer

Some airecraft buffs on the forum – someone must be able to help identify them. Intrigued to know the answer!

Mike
26 May 2021 at 10:11 #547167
John Hinkley
Participant
@johnhinkley26699
If it helps to identify the fighter – I've got this screen grab from the show:

It's not a type that I recognise, but that distinctively shaped tail and cockpit arrangement should narrow it down a bit.

John
26 May 2021 at 11:02 #547177
Anonymous
Looks a bit like a Fairy Firefly, some of which used the Napier Sabre engine which was also used in the Typhoon.

Andrew
26 May 2021 at 11:06 #547178
john halfpenny
Participant
@johnhalfpenny52803
The voiceover is very poorly researched – there are several glaring errors in each episide, along with inappropriate film clips. Surely the family that donated the sergeants uniform would be appalled that it is now treated as a 'discovery'. Competent administrators would sureky have made a record at the time. But then….it's just tv. And another thing……..
26 May 2021 at 11:09 #547179
Anonymous
Posted by john halfpenny on 26/05/2021 11:06:20:

The voiceover is very poorly researched – there are several glaring errors in each episide, along with inappropriate film clips.

Which is why I've given up watching these sort of programmes – been sorely disappointed too many times.

Andrew
26 May 2021 at 11:23 #547184
duncan webster 1
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@duncanwebster1
Posted by Andrew Johnston on 26/05/2021 11:02:25:

Looks a bit like a Fairy Firefly, some of which used the Napier Sabre engine which was also used in the Typhoon.

Andrew

Thats the one, definitely not a Spitfire! According to firefly they had RR Griffon engines
26 May 2021 at 11:32 #547188
Anonymous
Posted by duncan webster on 26/05/2021 11:23:42:

………they had RR Griffon engines

My mistake, there were design options using Griffon or Sabre engines, but the latter never went into production.

Andrre
26 May 2021 at 12:11 #547200
Nigel Bennett
Participant
@nigelbennett69913
They look like Fairey Fireflies to me – Royal Navy, not RAF. Google images of the FF any there are a lot of variants with different engines – so I suppose comparison with Spitfire Mk 1 and Mk 24.
26 May 2021 at 13:41 #547211
Samsaranda
Participant
@samsaranda
Look identical to the Fireflys depicted in Wikipedia. Dave W
26 May 2021 at 15:03 #547230
Stuart Bridger
Participant
@stuartbridger82290
I agree the voice-over is very poor. What did for me last night was in relation to the Napier Railton.

I will paraphrase "it was a racer and weight was everything, it doesn't have electrics, it doesn't even have ignition,,,"
26 May 2021 at 15:21 #547231
Phil H1
Participant
@philh196021
Another one here leaning towards Fairy Firefly from that picture. The British roundels are also extended – similar to the US insignia. I suspect that means that they were in operation around the pacific and were easier to identify as friend by US pilots.
26 May 2021 at 15:21 #547232
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
Some (but not all) programme researchers do not have a clue what they are dealing with, just produce something for the couch potatoes, they will not know much better!
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