manston mirror - Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum Manston

RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum
MANSTON MIRROR
FEBRUARY 2014
MAGAZINE
…....…………………………….………………………….
Issue no: 7
Z
KH
To contact:
RAF MANSTON
SPITFIRE &
HURRICANE
MEMORIAL
TRUST
Price: £1.50 where sold
Museum chairman signs unique air ambulance deal
THE MUSEUM
THE AIRFIELD
MANSTON ROAD
RAMSGATE
KENT
CT12 5DF
Telephone:
01843 821940
Email:
spitfire752@
btconnect.com
VISIT:
Spitfiremuseum.org.uk
Registered charity
Number: 298229
REGISTERED MUSEUM
NUMBER: 1991
………...…….
HURRICANE
FIGHTER ACE
SQUADRON LEADER:
Danny Le Roy Du Vivier
DSC & Bar.
Meet the hero who
led 43 Squadron
(Fighting Cocks)
AVIATION BOOST FOR MANSTON: From left seated, Heli Charter Chief Executive Ken Wills C.Eng,
FRAeS, C.Mger, FCMI, and Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust Trustee Chris Lear. Back row from
left WAACT Trustee Peter Foskett, WAACT Chairman Richard Youens, WAACT Trustee ‘Ahilan’ and Bell
Helicopter regional sales manager Rob Pennell.
FULL STORY ON PAGE 3
…....…………………………….………………………….
Museum flypast few set for
D-Day 70th anniversary event
POPULAR World War Two
fighter aircraft often seen over
Manston are due to take part in
a 70th anniversary D-Day event
at Normandy.
We can exclusively reveal talks
are underway to include two
Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar
Spitfires and possibly a Hurricane
in a dramatic flypast event in June.
And BHHH spokesman Robin
Brooks says there is every chance
these iconic aircraft will fly over
the RAF Manston Spitfire and
Hurricane Memorial Museum on
their way to northern France where
the great invasion took place in
1944.
Mr Brooks said: “Of course the
D-Day commemoration plans are
still getting underway but there is
definitely a possibility our aircraft
will play a significant role in this
momentous occasion.”
Taking part in this important
summer sortie will be the famous
Mk IX ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire
TA805 and the newly restored Mk
IXe Spitfire TD314.
Mr Brooks said: “Both these
Spitfires played their part on
June 6, 1944 as they were in
action over the Normandy beaches
with 234 Squadron. When joining
the important commemorative
flypast on June 6 this year they
will be in full D-Day livery of
black and white stripes.”
The Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar
Hurricane may also be part of the
formation. BHHH pilots due to take
part include Dan Griffiths, Peter
Monk and Clive Denney. The
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
warbirds and a Dakota are also
booked for the event.
Mr Brooks said: “Of course
we would very much like to fly
over Manston to mark D-Day.”
More details on page 7.
GIFT: Retiring Manager Peter
Verdemato with our museum
Trustee Rosa Sear. See page 15
‘I’LL BE BACK!’
Peter’s parting shot
ONLY IN YOUR
MIRROR
‘HOW I RESCUED
SPITFIRE TB752’
……………………………………………………...
MANSTON MIRROR
MANSTON MIRROR New manager praises museum for ‘great
EDITOR: MELODY FOREMAN MCIJ
atmosphere and an amazing collection’
If you have a story for us or would
like to advertise please email:
melodyforeman@btinternet.com
Telephone: 07876 018243
Copyright: Melody Foreman and the RAF Manston
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Musuem Trust.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, in whole
or part is forbidden without the consent of the publisher.
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy
of statements in ‘The Manston Mirror’ we cannot
accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or
for matters arising from clerical or printers’ errors,
or for advertisers not fulfilling their contracts.
……………………
CONTENTS
Great air ambulance deal……..3
‘Paddy’ Brown RIP..………..4 & 5
‘D-Day Spitfire………………..6 & 7
‘I rescued Spitfire TB752’.…...8
WORLD WAR TWO AIRCRAFT ENTHUSIAST: Matt Demedts has been appointed
manager of the RAF Manston Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum. He is
pictured here with the museum’s famous Hurricane Mk II.
Chairman’s dinner success…..9
Hurricane pilot ace……..10 & 11
Spitfire pilot obituary………… 12
Charity Cycle Ride……………...13
HMS Formidable………...14 & 15
Peter’s parting shot…………...15
Classic Collection………………..16
Letters………………………………….17
Diary…………………………………...18
Crossword…………………………...20
The RAF Manston Spitfire &
Hurricane Memorial Museum at
Manston is open every day (except
Christmas) from 10am to 5pm. Free
coach parking and the Merlin Café.
A VINTAGE aviation enthusiast
whose grandfather served in the
United States Air Force during
World War Two has been
appointed manager of the RAF
Manston Spitfire and Hurricane
Memorial Museum.
Matt Demedts, 27, takes up his
new role this month following the
retirement of long-time popular
skipper, Peter Verdemato.
New manager Matt previously
worked as a team leader with
English Heritage at Dover Castle.
He holds a Masters degree
in Museum and Heritage
Management from Nottingham
Trent University.
Matt was brought up in Belgium
and speaks fluent English and
Dutch. His father is Belgian and
his mother is American.
His maternal grandfather, Harry
Connolly was with 381st Bomb
Group and 535 Squadron as a
member of the ground crew on
Flying Fortress B-17 Bombers
during the second world war.
He said: “The Spitfire and the
Hurricane are iconic aircraft
and I am delighted to have the
opportunity to manage this
famous museum at Manston.
It is a dream job.
“There is so much potential,
and I am greatly impressed by
the knowledge and hard work
exercised by the dedicated
volunteers and staff.
USAF: A Boeing
B-17 Bomber.
“I am looking forward to the
challenge of managing further
development at the museum
and working with the Trustees,
professional staff and volunteers.”
Matt said he had been fascinated
by history all of his life and had
researched his grandfather’s
USAF career.
“I discovered my grandfather,
Harry, was based at Ridgewell
near Great Yarmouth during the
war and was a key member of the
ground crew working on the fourengine B-17s.
“Sadly he didn’t survive long
enough to know me. He was a
big smoker and I heard he got
through two cartons a day!”
According to Matt, the British
museums are among the best in
the world, and several European
places of interest had forged
important links with London’s
Imperial War Museum.
In Belgium and among Matt’s
favourites is the Battle of the Bulge
Memorial Museum at Bastogne
and the In Flanders World War
One Museum in Ieper (Wipers).
He said: “I very much believe
in the principle of museums
and of course I am keen to
make the Manston museum an
interactive experience.
“Museums are educational
places where people come
to learn. I have a vision of
including the women of the
war, the WAAF, the ATS, the
ATA, I want the museum to
look at family life during the
war and the children of the
war.”
One of the first things Matt
noticed about our museum was
its free entry.
“That’s very rare!” he said.
“When I first walked in to
the museum I loved its great
atmosphere, and it has an
amazing collection.”
Matt is a member of the
Screaming Eagles Living
History Group in Farnham
Surrey, and is planning a
charity parachute jump in the
near future.
Melody Foreman
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
2
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A WORLD leading helicopter
firm has signed a major ten year
contract to supply a new top of the
range mercycopter to one of the
UK’s biggest counties.
Heli Charter, based in Merlin Way,
Manston, is providing a dynamic
Bell 429 helicopter to Wiltshire
Air Ambulance Charitable Trust
(WAACT) in Swindon.
The new aircraft will come into
service at the end of the year.
After a great deal of deliberation
over the last 18 months, the charity’s
Trustees selected a Bell 429,
which is the world’s newest and
most advanced light twin-engine
helicopter in service equipped with
the latest in flight technology.
It will be fitted out with the most
recent Aerolite equipment to
meet the highest emergency
medical service (HEMS)
specification.
The Wiltshire helicopter will be the
first Bell 429 to operate as an air
ambulance in the UK. It has a top
speed of 150 knots and a range of
400 miles making a rapid response to
any incident within the county
achievable within minutes.
Starting in the late autumn of 2014,
the contract with Heli Charter
covers the provision, maintenance
and flying of the Wiltshire Air
Ambulance for up to nineteen hours
a day, every day of the year.
It also includes a replacement
helicopter to be provided after five
years. Paramedics and other medical
support will continue to be provided
by South West Ambulance
Service NHS Trust (SWAST).
The Charity spent nearly two years
reviewing its options as soon as
it became clear that the current
partnership with Wiltshire Police
which required WAACT to use
aircraft provided by the National
Police Air Service, would end in
2014. With advice from consultants,
three helicopter providers were
shortlisted and invited to tender for
the contract. Their submissions were
subject to intensive scrutiny and
assessment, which led to the
ultimate selection of Heli Charter,
which is Bell’s UK agent.
The helicopter will be built in
Mirabel, Canada in the first half of
2014 before being adapted to air
ambulance configuration, which will
make it capable of carrying one or
two pilots, two or three paramedics
and a patient on a stretcher.
The autumn will see a period of
testing and training for the crews
in Wiltshire so that the new air
ambulance is set to go live by
December 1, 2014.
Chairman, Richard Youens said:
“While the termination of our long
standing association with the police
is much to be regretted, it’s an ill
wind that blows no good and we
MANSTON MIRROR
DYNAMIC: The Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter outside the new multimillion pound Heli Charter and Bell Helicopter Sapphire House showroom
and maintenance centre which opened at Manston in September 2013.
Leading aviation firm to help save
lives by supplying the UK’s first
ever Bell AIR AMBULANCE
PILOT AND
ENTREPRENEUR:
Heli Charter Chief
Executive Mr Ken
Wills C.Eng, FRAeS,
C.Mger, FCMI.
Mr Wills is also
chairman of
the RAF Manston
Spitfire & Hurricane
Memorial Museum
Trust.
“Customers
throughout
Europe are discovering
the Bell 429 is the
premiere light twin
solution for a number of
needs,” said Patrick
Moulay, Bell Helicopter’s
managing director of
commercial sales
for Europe.
“We have a long heritage
serving air ambulance
customers throughout
the world and are proud
to be able to support
the entire Wiltshire
community.”
have taken the opportunity
significantly to improve the
quality of the service with state
of the art equipment at a very
competitive cost. Furthermore the
new aircraft will be maintained
on a rolling basis whereas the
previous helicopter had to be
taken off line for six weeks or
more every year. With the loss of
our collaboration with the police
we will need to fund the full cost
of providing the air ambulance
alone. However I can say with
confidence that thanks to the
passionate support the charity
receives from so many people in
Wiltshire, the necessary funds,
about £2.5m annually, will be
found.”
The National Grid took delivery
of a Bell 429 last summer for
their survey work, and they are
delighted with its performance
and handling. The 429 is already
operating successfully as an air
ambulance elsewhere in Europe
and Canada and the charity is
confident that it will provide
Wiltshire with one of the
best emergency service aircraft
available anywhere in the
world.
Heli Charter Chairman and
CEO, Ken Wills said: “Heli
Charter is extremely proud and
excited to have been awarded
the contract with WAACT to
provide the next generation of
air ambulance to the people of
Wiltshire. Heli Charter and
the Trust have worked
together to fully evaluate the
Bell 429, which will serve the
Trust well for the next ten years.
It is the most advanced light
medium twin helicopter
available and is widely used
globally as an Air Ambulance.
We look forward to delivering
the aircraft and being part of the
team providing this essential
service to the county.”
DID YOU KNOW
In 2012 Heli Charter was
appointed the Bell Helicopter
independent representative
in the UK. During 2013 it
opened Sapphire House - a
purpose built facility and first
of its kind in the UK undertaking all types of helicopter
maintenance. In the same
year it opened a facility at
Turweston Aerodrome in
Northamptonshire.
USA’s Bell Helicopter is a
wholly owned subsidiary of
Textron Inc. It is a leading
producer of commercial and
military aircraft all over
the world.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
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MANSTON MIRROR
SAD FAREWELL TO HIGH-FLYING VOLUNTEER ‘PADDY’ BROWN
Squadron Leader who carried out a highly
skilled ‘dead stick landing’ is praised by
friends for his superb quality airmanship
LIFE VICE-PRESIDENT: RAF
Squadron Leader ‘Paddy’ Brown.
WE are sad to report the death
of RAF Manston Spitfire and
Hurricane Memorial Museum
life vice-president, Squadron
Leader ‘Paddy’ Brown, aged 89.
‘Paddy’ and his wife Mikki
worked tirelessly as volunteers
at the museum organising vital
fundraising events.
They shared more than 30 years
of association with the museum
and both retired in the summer of
2005. Former Chipmunk pilot
‘Paddy’ was born in Ireland and
came to Thanet in 1978 after a
globetrotting life serving in the
RAF.
But shortly after his arrival in the
area he was contacted by the RAF
to pilot Chipmunks at Manston
and help ATC cadets learn more
about aviation and life in the
armed services.
HAPPY MEMORIES: Trustees, volunteers and friends at ‘Paddy’ and Mikki’s retirement party in
2005. They are pictured third and fourth from the left of the front row. Mikki is holding a bouquet.
‘Paddy’ and Mikki were made Life Vice-Presidents of the museum.
Paddy’s friend and museum
Trustee, Marcus Russell, said
‘Paddy’ knew a tremendous
amount about aircraft and was
involved with the museum for
many years. ‘Paddy’ and his wife,
Mikki were friends of Wing
Commander Colin Campbell and
his wife, Beryl.
THE CROWN INN
THE FAMOUS CHERRY BRANDY HOUSE
SARRE
HOTEL/RESTAURANT/BAR
IDEAL FOR FUNCTIONS
TRADITIONAL HOME COOKED MEALS
REAL ALES
Telephone: 01843 847808
www.crownsarre.co.uk
The Campbells had been involved
with the museum since it first
opened in 1981.
Mr Russell said: “Paddy told me
once how during his RAF career
as a pilot he was sent to the northwest frontier of India which is
now known as Pakistan. At that
time, and it must have been postwar, the area had a number of
paddy fields.
“Anyway, Paddy set off on his
mission and suddenly his aircraft
engine stopped, so he decided the
best thing to do was to glide down
and skim over the water to the
end of the paddy field.
“However, he hit the ground hard
and the impact turned the aircraft
180 degrees upside down.
“Paddy told me how he crawled
out the cockpit and made his way
back to the airfield to report the
crash. When he told the Group
Captain, he was threatened with
a charge for losing an RAF
aeroplane. Paddy told the Group
Captain it wasn’t his fault and the
engine had just failed.
“So mechanics were sent out to
find the aircraft and discovered
the union bolt to the carburettor
was undone. The fault was with
the person who carried out the
previous service on the aircraft.
“If the union nut isn’t locked into
position properly it would undo
with the vibration of the engine so
it meant no fuel..er no engine!”
Aviation enthusiast Mr Russell
explained how ‘Paddy’s’ skill at
landing the stricken aircraft that
day was evidence of absolute
superb quality airmanship.
“What Paddy did was what you
call a ‘dead stick landing’,” added
Mr Russell.
Many years later at the RAF
Manston Spitfire and Hurricane
Memorial Museum ‘Paddy’ was
to meet by chance the RAF Group
Captain who scolded him for the
incident. Mr Russell said: “We had
a Trustee here at the time, a
marvellous chap called Group
Captain Reg Roberts.
“Well one day ‘Paddy’ was
standing in the Hurricane Hall
when he heard a voice yell:
“Brown! You crashed one of
my aeroplanes!” Mr Russell said
Group Captain Roberts and
‘Paddy’ had a good chuckle
about the event, and agreed it was
extraordinary they had bumped
into each other after such a long
time. Paddy was always so
knowledgeable to talk to. I will
miss him a lot.” ‘Paddy’ leaves a
widow Mikki and daughter,
Heather. His funeral was held on
January 13, 2014.
‘When Paddy and Mikki
retired from the
museum we threw them
a surprise party in May
2005. They were
delighted to see so many
friends at the event.
‘At the museum we
were all very sad to hear
of Paddy’s death and we
send our deepest
condolences to Mikki
and family’
- Sid Farmer
Museum Trustee
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
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MANSTON MIRROR
SQUADRON LEADER ROBERT ELLIOT BROWN 1924 - 2013
CHIPMUNK: ‘Paddy’ flew Chipmunks until 1980 at RAF Manston. His
piloting and aviation skills proved essential to the ATC.
When flying over India on a mission
‘Paddy’ had to glide his aircraft down
because the engine suddenly stopped.
ABOVE: ‘Paddy’ in his postwar service years in India
sporting a classic RAF
handlebar moustache.
Visitors to the
RAF Manston Spitfire
and Hurricane
Memorial Museum can
see various artefacts
‘Paddy’ donated for
display including his
leather and sheepskin
flying jacket,
various RAF
embroidered badges
and some amazing
photographs of his
service years in India.
Bomber Command drama to raise cash for new education centre
PLAYWRIGHT:
Terence Rattigan.
SUPPORTERS of the Battle
of Britain Memorial Trust
and The Wing are invited to
attend a special evening at the
theatre this month.
University of Kent Players are
staging Flare Path by Terence
Rattigan at The Gulbenkian
Theatre, Canterbury, from
Wednesday, February 19 –
Saturday, February 22.
The play is based on Rattigan’s
own experience as a tail gunner
with RAF Bomber Command
during the 1939-45 conflict.
The director is Neil Hornsey
who is the son of leading volunteer
at the Battle of Britain Memorial
Trust site at Capel-le-Ferne, Kent,
Pam Wraight. Neil felt he would
like to raise money for the ongoing
construction off a new Battle of
Britain education centre at Capel-leFerne which will also provide
Archive and research facilities.
He describes the play as the
story of a love triangle that brings
together a Wellington bomber pilot,
his actress wife and her former
lover, a Hollywood heartthrob.
Flare Path is described as a story
of love and loyalty, courage and
fear, and expects to raise £5,000
for the Trust’s Wing Appeal.
Curtain up is at 7.30pm.
The play was first shown in
1942 in London before going
to Broadway and returning to
the West End in 2010.
For more details about Flare Path
at The Gulbenkian Theatre see
www.thegulbenkian.co.uk
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RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
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MANSTON MIRROR
SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK IXS OF 611 SQUADRON
OVER BIGGIN HILL IN 1942. 611 SQUADRON WAS
COMMANDED BY ROLAND PROSPER ‘BEE’ BEAMONT
CBE, DSO & BAR, DFC & BAR (1920—2001)
THE PLOUGHMAN’S CHOICE
The fiery Focke Wulf Fw190
FARM SHOP
‘Fresh local produce straight from the farms’
Somali Farm, Park Road, Birchington
Telephone: 01843 831077
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday
8am to 5.30pm
Sunday
10am - 4pm
TEAROOM
You can find us too at the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum, Manston
THE Focke Wulf Fw 190 was designed by Kurt Tank, and the
first flight took place on June 1, 1939.
The Luftwaffe used this single-seat aircraft in a variety of roles,
as a fighter, a bomber, and a ground attacker.
The Focke Wulf was more powerful than the Messerschmitt 109
fighter, and it proved a sturdy rival to the Spitfire. It was only
the amazing turning capacity of the Spitfire which made it a tad
superior to the Focke Wulf.
When the Spitfire Mk IX came into operation in 1942, the
Luftwaffe realised their treasured Focke Wulf was now under
serious threat. The memory of the Focke Wulf’s glory days over
France in 1941 were soon to fade, as the Spitfire with its highly
charged Merlin engine and design improvements took control
of the skies. The Focke Wulf was however a favourite among
Luftwaffe pilots including the fighter aces - Otto Kittel, Walter
Nowotny, and Erich Rudorffer.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
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D-DAY
MANSTON MIRROR
DID YOU KNOW
SPITFIRE JOINS
MUSEUM FLYPAST FEW
STUNNING: The Spitfire Mk IXe TD314 roars across the Kent skies during her recent test flight with
pilot Peter Monk at the controls.
A SPITFIRE which took part
in D-Day seventy years ago has
been fully restored and is flying
again.
This glorious war bird is back in
the air again thanks to the efforts
of the skilled crew at The Spitfire
Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd, and
there is every likelihood she will
be flying over the RAF Manston
Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial
Museum.
She is a Mk IXe and known as
TD314. Her pilot is Peter Monk,
and she is scheduled to take part
in the 70th anniversary D-Day
commemoration flypast at
Normandy on June 6 this year.
Her history is one of action and
survival. She was rolled out
from Castle Bromwich (contract
No. 98168739) in 1944, Spitfire
Mark HF IXe TD314 (registered
as G-CGYJ) and was issued to
No. 33 Maintenance Unit at RAF
Lyneham on April 2, 1945.
Powered by a Rolls Royce
Merlin 70 engine she passed
through No. 30 MU at RAF
Sealand and No. 6 MU at RAF
Brize Norton before being
allocated to No. 183 (Gold
Coast) Squadron based at RAF
Chilbolton on June 24, 1945. She
then passed to No. 234 (Madras
Presidency) Squadron at RAF
Bentwaters on July 26, 1945.
After seven months service with
the squadron TD314 returned to
No. 29 MU at RAF High Ercall
on February 27, 1946 and was
subject to a Home Census a
month later. A further move to
No. 47 MU, then based at RAF
Sealand on March 24, 1948,
saw her become surplus to
requirements.
This iconic aircraft was crated
for shipment aboard the SS Clan
Chatton, leaving Birkenhead on
April 19, 1948, and arriving in
Capetown on May 12. She served
with the South African Air Force
for around six years and was then
sold to the South African Metal
and Machinery Company in 1954
for disposal.
The fuselage and other parts
were recovered by Larry Barnett
in Johannesburg between 1969
and 1972 before being sold on to
two Canadian owners during
1985.
TD314 was acquired by Peter
Monk for restoration during 2009
and was fully restored to flying
condition by The Spitfire
Company (Biggin Hill) Ltd.
Registered to Keith Perkins in
2011, she was test flown by
Peter Monk on December 7, 2013
bringing the perfect restoration to
a fitting conclusion.
TD314 joins Spitfires Mark IX TA805 (Spirit of Kent) and
MK912, Mark XVIs TE184 and
RW382 plus Mark I X4650 in the
Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.
D-DAY
COLOURS:
The ‘Spirit
of Kent’
Spitfire
TA805.
Newly restored war bird
with a dramatic history
to join glorious museum
‘flypast few’
TD314 is due to fly over
the Normandy beaches
again on June 6 painted
in the black and white
stripes of D-Day
THE Mark IX Spitfire was
designed as a serious rival
to the Luftwaffe’s Focke
Wulf Fw 190.
The German aircraft
had accumulated many
victories over the Spitfire
Mk VB and there was
pressure at the Castle
Bromwich aircraft factory
to produce a new two-stage
supercharged Merlin 61
engine. Work had begun
on Mk VII and Mk VIII
Spitfires but swift action
was needed if the RAF
Fighter Command was to
retain its hard earned
supremacy in the air. A
newly designed frame with
a Type C wing and double
blisters over the inner
cannon bays saw the Mk IX
prove her worth.
A report by the Air
Fighting Development
Unit said the Mk IX’s
performance was superior
to that of the Mk V at
heights over 20,000ft.
It also climbed easily to
38,000ft. The Mk IX’s
manoeuvrability was
as good as the Mk V’s at
20,000ft, and it could easily
reach speeds of 368mph at
38,000ft. Visibility from the
cockpit was also improved.
BIGGIN HILL HERITAGE HANGAR
We are dedicated to the safe restoration and
continued safe operation of our aircraft.
We are based at the famous World War Two
RAF Aerodrome at Biggin Hill, Kent.
The aircraft we operate comprise several
superb airworthy examples of legendary WW2
Supermarine Spitfire and other fighter aircraft each
with extensive wartime histories.
We aim to provide current and future generations
the chance to see airworthy Spitfires and
Hurricanes up close and in the air. We have open
days and attend air show events.
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS
Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar proudly
supports the RAF Spitfire & Hurricane
Memorial Museum at Manston, Kent.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
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…………………………………………………….. MANSTON MIRROR
BBC cameraman rescued our
Spitfire TB752 from the axe
Chris says he didn’t relent in
his mission to rescue TB752
so he contacted the Mayors of
Ramsgate and Margate, the
chairman of the then Broadstairs
District Council, the RAF
Former BBC lensman Chris Fright Association, and William Reesfound out from the local beat bobby Davies, the local MP.
there was a truck on its way to
Retired BBC man Chris says:
take TB752 - the then RAF
“Within a couple of days they
Manston Gate Guardian - off to a
all got in touch with Wing
breakers’ yard in Southampton.
Commander West who explained
Chris, of Manston Road,
to them he didn’t want to see
Ramsgate, recalls how he dashed
the Spitfire go but he had been
home and put in some essential
sworn to secrecy over its
phone calls to call off the dogs!
departure and had been urged
He reveals exclusively to your
to forget it had ever been gate
MIRROR: “In the 1960s I was
guardian.
doing a lot of filming with the RAF “Then the campaign to save
Manston Air Sea Rescue crews.
TB752 snowballed. The MP
One day I bumped into the local
Rees-Davies asked a question in
policeman. I remember his name
the House and urged the Defence
was ‘Ray’ and I was told it was
Minister of the time to ‘please
‘curtains for the Spitfire’ which was help the people of Ramsgate,
sitting outside the guardroom.
Margate and Broadstairs to keep
“Well I jumped to attention. I
their Spitfire.’
contacted the Wing Commander at
The reply came back, ‘Yes
the station. His name was ‘West’.
Manston can keep its Spitfire but
He told me nobody was meant to
the RAF must guarantee to look
know that the Spitfire was going to after it.’
be removed but the decision was out Chris says the fight wasn’t
of his hands and it was down to the completely over as suddenly the
government big wigs now.”
lorry arrived with a crew ready
A CHANCE conversation
between a television cameraman and a police officer in the
mid-1960s led to a vital stay of
execution for Spitfire TB752.
RESCUE MISSION: Chris Fright today with TB752 at the museum.
to take the axe to the aircraft and
transport the pieces to some MoD
yard in Southampton.
“At that point Wing Commander
West ran out to them and told
them they couldn’t take it as a
message was coming through
any minute from Parliament
preventing its removal and any
form of destruction.
“We all sighed with relief when
the lorry and its crew drove away
empty-handed.
“And that’s the story of how I
played my part in rescuing this
great aircraft.”
Thanet-born Chris says he was
delighted when he learned in 1981
the Spitfire had been restored by
The Medway branch of the
Royal Aeronautical Society
led by Lewis Deal MBE and
was to be housed in a new
Memorial Building.
“That opening ceremony on
June 13, 1981 was a truly
unforgettable day for me. I
stood at the back with the rest
of the crowd and recalled how
some years before I played my
part in her rescue. Today
when I drive past the museum
I always think of the lovely
Spitfire on show,” he says.
Chris worked for the BBC for
fifty years and filmed many
notable RAF Air Sea Rescue
missions during his career.
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RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
8
……………………………………………………...
MANSTON MIRROR
CHAIRMAN:
Ken Wills.
TRUSTEE:
Rosa Sear.
A few of the Monkton Cookies and WI with Museum Trustee Jeremy de Rose
at a recent museum dinner event at Monkton Village Hall.
Chairman’s dinner is a delicious success
and heralds exciting 2014 at the museum
TRUSTEE:
Jeremy de Rose.
TRUSTEE:
Sid Farmer.
TRUSTEE:
Marcus Russell.
TRUSTEE:
Barrie Smith.
Mr Peter Monk.
WARTIME RAF veterans and a serving
officer were among the guests at the
museum’s annual Chairman’s Dinner.
Pilots including Flying Officer Gerry
Abrahams, 91, Warrant Officers Ron
Dearman, 90, and Neville Croucher, 90,
were joined by Warrant Officer Martin
Russell who is based at the Defence Fire
Training and Development Centre
at Manston.
The event was held at Monkton Village
Hall, near Ramsgate, and was hosted by
museum chairman, Ken Wills, C.Eng,
FRAeS, C.Mger, FCMI. It was organised
by Trustee Rosa Sear and the Monkton
Cookies.
In a speech to more than fifty guests
made up mostly of museum volunteers Mr
Wills thanked Rosa for organising a truly
wonderful event and he praised the
excellent menu prepared by the Monkton
Cookies led by Delphine Mitchell.
He said: “It was an excellent dinner and it
was great to taste Brussels sprouts that were
cooked properly. It was better than many
restaurants I have visited. It was delicious!
I was most impressed by the Monkton
Cookies.
“A big thanks went out our veterans
Gerry, Ron and Neville and to serving
RAF officer, Martin Russell and his wife,
Liz. We had hoped Mr Peter Monk of
Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar could join us
but he had a power cut at his home that
night (January 4) and was unable to leave
his children alone with the babysitter and
candles! I then asked the Trustees to stand
up - Jeremy, Sid, Barry, Marcus, Rosa and I
passed on apologies from Trustee Mr Peter
Wenman who was unable to attend.
“I then informed everyone of the sad
departure of Trustee and Honorary
Secretary, Audrey Twyman who is sadly
missed.
“I also mentioned we were sorry to learn
about the death of Squadron Leader ‘Paddy
Brown who along with his wife Mikki
had served as a volunteer at the museum
for many years.”
Mr Wills looked back at the past year
at the museum and highlighted the
organisation of the Trust, and pointed
out to guests the retirement of the
manager, Peter Verdemato.
“However, Peter will be returning
as a volunteer to work in the shop.
“I then invited newly appointed
manager Matt Demedts, who is joining
us from English Heritage, to stand up.
There was a round of applause,” added
Mr Wills.
The year ahead looks set to be an
exciting one with various plans set to
go ahead including the upgrading of the
display cabinets, building up the links in
education partnerships, and exciting new
projects to get Heritage Lottery Funding.
Mr Wills revealed there had been a
change of ownership at the airport. He
also described the volunteers as the heart
of the museum and reinforced how they
are highly valued by the Trust for the
work they do.
“We are looking forward to another
good year, and it will be much more
appropriate to discuss matters in a free
and open manner rather than at the
AGM.
“The Trust
plans to hold
an annual
dinner so
people
feel more
relaxed and
can speak
freely.”
GUEST:
Warrant
Officer
Martin
Russell
TRUSTEES: Peter Wenman
and Rosa Sear.
BOMBER COMMAND PILOT:
Flying Officer Gerry Abrahams.
DAKOTA PILOT: Warrant
Officer Ron Dearman.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
9
…………………………………………………….
MANSTON MIRROR
THE AMAZING STORY OF HURRICANE FIGHTER ACE:
SQUADRON LEADER
DANNY LE ROY DU VIVIER DFC
AS the restoration of the Manston
Hurricane neared completion in 1987,
the question over its colours finally led
to the aircraft becoming a memorial to
one of the RAF’s most famous fighter
pilots, Daniel Albert Raymond Georges
le Roy du Vivier DFC and Bar.
Born in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, to a
Dutch mother and a Belgian father on
January 13, 1915, le Roy du Vivier escaped
to England after the fall of France in 1940
and joined a small band of fellow Belgian
pilots including Albert van den Hove
D’Ertsenrijck.
His early flying career saw him gain his
wings with the L’Aeronautique Militaire in
1938, and RAF records reveal he flew Fairey
Firefly biplanes as a Sergeant Pilot with
Groupe de Chasse at Nevilles. On May 11,
1940, du Vivier was forced to bale out and
was captured by the Belgians who mistook
him for a German paratrooper.
By May 15, 1940, he arrived in Gibraltar,
and remained with the Belgian pilots who
managed to escape German occupation and
sail away to Liverpool on the SS Apapa.
RAF records show du Vivier was posted to
the famous 43 Squadron (Fighting Cocks) at
Tangmere in August of the same year and
from that time his heroic action in the skies
truly began. Indeed Squadron Leader le Roy
du Viver’s legacy of purposeful airmanship,
his determination to defeat the enemy, plus
outstanding bravery and leadership skills in
his trusty Hurricane BN 230 just had to be
remembered says Medway Aircraft
Preservation Society (MAPS) Managing
Director, Lewis Deal MBE.
“When we were trying to decide what
colour the paintwork should be on the
Hurricane Mk IIc now on show at Manston I
contacted the RAF for suggestions.
“We had rescued the aircraft from the RAF
Fighter Command HQ at Bentley Priory
where it had been on display as a gate
guardian. My enquiries led me to 43
Squadron (Fighting Cocks) Association and
the secretary Jim Beedle agreed that a black
Hurricane ‘didn’t do much for the heart’.
“What he did suggest though was opting for
the colours of a Hurricane numbered BN
230, and coded FT-A which had arrived at
43 Squadron at Acklington on January 2,
1942,” said Mr Deal.
This aircraft had been built at Brooklands
and immediately chosen by the Commanding
Officer, Danny Le Roy du Vivier DFC who
was known as the first Belgian to command
a Royal Air Force squadron (although he was
actually born in the Netherlands, possibly
making him the first Dutch pilot in this
hallowed RAF position of authority).
THE MANSTON MIRROR would like to
thank Mr Deal for allowing us to quote
We gain exclusive access to documents revealing
why the MANSTON HURRICANE is a fitting
memorial to a real fighting hero of the skies
AVIATOR SUPREME:
Squadron Leader Danny Le Roy du
Vivier in the cockpit of his Hurricane
during World War Two. Note the
Belgian flag - the same colours now
adorn the Manston Hurricane Mk IIc.
exclusively from the following personal letter
from Mr Beedle.
It reads: ‘Du Vivier’s overwhelming objective in
life during the war was to kill the enemy and so
avenge in a small way what they had done to his
own beloved country. He had an arrangement with
Sector Ops that when 43 Squadron were not on
Readiness he was to be informed of any hostiles
approaching the area.
‘He would then come down to dispersal at great
speed, take off and listen in to the messages being
passed to the scrambled sections and so try to
intercept the raider. On April 25, 1941, du Vivier
shot down a high-flying Junkers Ju 88 photo-recce
aircraft which he spotted photographing the
shipyards in the Tyne. He had easily out flown the
two Spitfires which had been sent out against it.
The Luftwaffe pilot managed to bale out.
‘However, du Vivier’s BN 230 was hit in the
perspex to the right of the windscreen, and the
bullet passed through du Vivier’s Mae West and
hitting the armour plate behind him.
‘Soon after this BN 230 was one of two
Hurricanes sent to Hawkers for modification to
enable them to carry two 44 gallon wing overload
tanks. In June 43 Squadron went to Tangmere
and took over night-intruder duties from No. 1
Squadron and BN 230 was used by du Vivier on
these flights. It was rarely flown by anybody else
as we had plenty of aircraft on strength.
‘On August 19, 1942, 43 Squadron was the
first Hurricane squadron to attack the
beach defences at Dieppe and BN 230,
flown by du Vivier, naturally led the rest of
the squadron into the strafing run during
Operation Jubilee.
‘It was hit in the starboard wing by either
a shell or a large piece of shrapnel which
went in the bottom and out of the top
leaving two very large holes. However, it
returned and landed safely and later that
day was flown out to Henlow, returning 24
hours later with a new wing fitted. It finally
left 43 Squadron on September 5 when we
went to Kirton Lindsey to prepare for the
North African landings and all of our Mk II
Hurricanes were disposed of.
‘There is another reason why BN 230 was
interesting. Du Vivier insisted the Belgian
and RAF flags and a black and whitechequered strip were situated directly onto
the knockout panel andwhen the aircraft
changed from Mk Is to Mk IIbs and IIcc the
flags were then painted onto a sheet of
aluminium and bolted onto the panel and
easily changed when du Vivier took over
the latest updated type.
‘The colour was the standard dark green
and dark grey with the usual band of duck
egg blue around the tail. What was nonstandard was that we used to have the code
letters painted in white as it was easier to
get hold of white paint instead of grey at
that time.’
What Mr Beedle did not write in his letter
was how du Vivier had on September 2,
1940 been forced to bale out following
combat with Me109s and was admitted to
the casualty clearing station at Benenden,
Kent, suffering from leg injuries. At that
time he had been flying Hurricane P3903
which crashed at Bell Corner, near Old
Romney, Kent.
By July 1941 he had been awarded a
Belgian Croix de Guerre and with 43
Squadron he was awarded his DFC. He
was additionally awarded a Bar for his
bravery in 1942.
Records show du Vivier was posted to the
Middle East to command 324 Wing over
continued on page 11
Italy in 1943.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
10
…………………………………………………..
MANSTON MIRROR
‘A game-cock
clipped and armed
to fight doth the
rising sun affright’
43 Squadron
(Fighting Cocks)
motto.
THE HURRICANE Mk IIc: Nearing completion in the colours of BN 230 of 43 Squadron
flown by Squadron Leader Danny Le Roy du Vivier in 1942. This picture was taken in
1988 shortly before the aircraft was taken to the Hurricane Hall at the RAF Manston
Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum. BELOW RIGHT: The Hurricane on show in the
museum today.
‘Du Vivier later met the German pilot of the Ju 88 he shot down.
They got on so well that the Luftwaffe pilot gave du Vivier his
beautiful flying jacket which is now on display in the Hurricane Hall’
- Lewis Deal
Museum Aviation Advisor
The game cock and
Indian bush bird was
referred to in the
writings of Aristotle.
It was introduced by
the Romans and is
therefore more British
than most things that
lay claim to the title.
When trained for the
cockpit it is a
formidable adversity.
Continued from page 10
By July 1944 du Vivier had been posted
back to England to take command of 53
Operational Training Unit. He had a
badly injured leg after a heavy air battle
in Sicily. By the Spring of 1946 he had
been sent to Germany to take charge of
160 Belgian Wing. When the Autumn
arrived of the same year he decided to
leave the RAF and take up a civilian job
with Sabena Airlines as public relations
director. He also became director of the
Aviation Department of Belgian Shell
Company. Sadly, he died in a road
accident in the United States in 1981.
His ashes are interred at Tangmere.
In 1988 his dedicated widow Joan was
invited to Rochester Airport to a VIP
event celebrating the Hurricane Mk IIc
and of course her husband’s outstanding
achievements as a Hurricane pilot and
RAF ace during World War Two.
Mrs Le Roy du Vivier was introduced
to the many guests including the Belgian
Defence attaché Captain W J Cornelis.
She also spent time with MAPS boss,
Mr Lewis Deal MBE who talked to her
about the meticulous research carried
out ensuring the colour of the Hurricane
‘Flying his Hurricane
du Vivier shot down a
high-flying Junkers
Ju 88 which had
easily out flown two
Spitfires originally sent
out after it’
was just as Squadron Leader Le Roy
du Vivier would have remembered
from his days in air combat.
Mr Deal said: “I remember Joan du
Vivier as a lovely person and so very
interested in our work with vintage
aircraft.
“She was made aware of our plans
for the Manston Hurricane by the 43
Squadron Association and of course it
was a delight to meet her and talk
about Danny. She said he would have
been thrilled to know there was a Hurricane restored in his memory and now
on show to so many visitors to the
RAF Manston Spitfire and Hurricane
Memorial Museum.”
Melody Foreman
‘Du Vivier got shot down so
many times that his ground
crew felt it was easier to
change the fuselage plate with
his flags on rather than
re-paint it!
‘One of the original plates is
on show in the Hurricane Hall’
TANGMERE TODAY: A stone plaque in
memory of Mr and Mrs Le Roy du Vivier.
BIG DAY: Mrs Joan Le Roy du
Vivier, left, meets MAPS boss
Mr Lewis Deal MBE in 1988.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
11
……………………………………………………..
MANSTON MIRROR
OBITUARY - Spitfire Photo-Reconnaissance Pilot - Dr Vivian Griffiths
A WORLD War Two pilot who flew
unarmed photo-reconnaissance
Spitfires has died aged 91.
Dr Vivian Griffiths often flew over the
jungles of Japanese-controlled northern
Burma with his trusty camera, and after
the war became a London GP for an
admirable thirty years. His main
passion was to use hypnosis to help
patients overcome problems such as
smoking and fear of flying.
He and his wife Katie (née Lowe), a
former Wren, retired to Cornwall in the
mid-1980s, but he often returned to
work in the capital as a locum.
Christened Fred, but always known by
his second name, Vivian, Griffiths was
born at Hove, Sussex, on May 26 1922.
He was educated in Sevenoaks, Kent,
and, when his parents refused to let him
join up at the outbreak of the Second
World War, took a job in a bank,
delaying the start of his training with
the RAF until May 1940.
He flew 66 sorties in Hurricanes over
north-west Europe. Griffiths served
with No 3 Squadron, based at North
Weald, then with No 607 Squadron,
flying from Scotland, from Martlesham,
Suffolk, and then from Manston in
Kent .
After transfer to India in 1942 and
converting to Spitfires at Alipore,
Calcutta, he joined a Photographic
Reconnaissance Unit, making 44 sorties
Manston RAF pilot became a doctor
specialising in hypnosis to cure fear
of flying and patients’ smoking habits
across the Arakan mountain range, each
his early speciality, and was elected
time completing eight straight and level
to the Royal College of Surgeons.
runs with wing-mounted cameras over
He then went into general practice
targets in enemy-held jungle.
at Hove in 1959, before moving in
He carried a cyanide capsule in case
1962 to London, first to Tooting
SPITFIRE PR PILOT:
of capture. He flew either at 27,000ft or
Bec, when he had a practice in
Dr Vivian Griffiths of
beneath the region’s immense periodic
Clapham, and then to Albert Bridge 607 Squadron.
cloud formations, sometimes going
Road, when his practice was in
perilously low.
Chelsea. Vivian Griffiths is surGriffiths photographed the landing
vived by his wife and by their
grounds for the Airborne Landing
daughter and four sons. Dr Vivian
Force in preparation for Operation
Griffiths, born May 26 1922,
Thursday in 1944, when Brigadier Orde died December 30 2013.
(The full version of this article
Wingate’s Chindits went in by gliders
appeared in The Daily Telegraph)
towed by Dakota aircraft. By the time
the operation actually got under way,
however, Griffiths had succumbed to
amoebic dysentery and been invalided
home. In the latter part of the war
Griffiths worked in RAF hospitals at
Halton, Buckinghamshire, and
Northallerton, Yorkshire, and it was
with that experience that he was
accepted in 1946 as a medical student
at the Middlesex Hospital, London. He DID YOU KNOW: Spitfires used for PR work were often
painted pink so they blended in with the clouds and were
qualified in 1953.
camouflaged while carrying out their mission. See page 16
He made obstetrics and gynaecology
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RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
12
……………………………………………………
Why not support former RAF engineer and pals
in charity cycle ride across the Western Front
THE clock is ticking
for big hearted Andy
Bowman and his pals
who are aiming to be
super-fit for August 4
when they embark on
a 350-mile sponsored
bike ride to France.
Andy, who is station
manager at the
Defence Fire Training
and Development
Centre, Manston,
Kent, will be joined by
Les Kavanagh, Paul
Morrisoe and Craig
Youngman, for the
event organised by the
Army Benevolent
Fund: The Solders’
Charity.
The ride will take
place over five days
and the fit four will be
among 200 riders who
CYCLE HERO:
Andy Bowman.
will set off from Horse Guards
Parade in London.
Andy has pledged so far to
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soldiers and their families.
Sponsorship details below.
IF YOU’D LIKE TO
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MANSTON MIRROR
MAJOR EVENTS IN
FEBRUARY 1944
5th Germany halted preparations for
Operation Sealion, the invasion of
Britain.
7th US forces captured the Kwajalein
Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
10th The Allies handed control of
southern Italy to the Italian royal
Government.
14th A major Japanese attack on
the Anglo-Indian defensive position
at Sinzweya, Burma marked the
beginning of the "Battle of the Admin
Box".
15th The Allies bombed and shelled
the ancient Benedictine Monastery at
Monte Cassino, Italy.
18th Mosquito bombers attacked the
prison at Amiens, France.
20th A ferry carrying heavy water
was sunk by saboteurs on Lake
Tinnsjo, Norway.
23rd US forces captured Eniwetok
Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
24th The Allies bombed the
ball-bearing factories at Schweinfurt,
Germany.
24th British forces captured the
Nyakyedyauk Pass, Burma.
26th The Japanese called off the
"Battle of the Admin Box".
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RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
13
……………………………………………………...
MANSTON MIRROR
Museum enthusiast and Fleet Air Arm
pilot uncovers report from aircraft carrier
THE following commentary by Royal Navy Captain and
War Correspondent ANTHONY KIMMINS was
kindly contributed by Fleet Air Arm officer Keith Quilter
DSC who flew Corsairs and was stationed on the
famous ‘HMS Formidable’ during World War Two.
Keith’s own story was published in last month’s
MANSTON MIRROR MAGAZINE
Royal Navy Captain
Anthony Kimmins
Keith Quilter DSC
‘Formidable the story you
did not hear’.
This was originally prepared as a
script to be broadcast over the BBC
by a Captain Anthony Kimmins from
the ship as she approached the
UK on her way home from the
Pacific early in 1946 having
completed her task of repatriating
released Japanese prisoners of war.
Tony Kimmins was a radio war
correspondent and made regular
broadcasts back home. I guess they
were in fact recordings. However
this one was meant to be a live
broadcast but due to bad weather
conditions this proved impossible,
and instead it was published in the
London Evening Standard a few days
after the ship arrived home.
I was home on leave having been
brought home in a sister carrier
HMS Victorious at the end of 1945.
I spotted it in the evening paper, cut
it out and had in my scrap book. I
discovered none of the members of
the ‘Formy Asssociation’ had seen it
so I copied it and read it out at one
of our reunions. I think it is a most
amazing tribute to my old ship.
Keith Quilter DSC
AS I came forward to the radio room just
now to make this broadcast, Formidable’s
mess decks looked like the dormitories in a
school on the last night of term that night
before the holidays.
Bags and suitcases all packed and ready for
tomorrow. Excited laughter and chatter. The
last-minute writing down of addresses. The
last look at the rabbits (as presents are called
in the Navy). The last wonder whether they
had been wisely chosen presents bought in
India, China, Australia and South Africa.
The ship herself is rolling and pitching in an
Atlantic gale in the Bay of Biscay, but no
matter how much the angry seas break over
her flight deck, nothing can damp the
excitement down below.
And no wonder! It’s been a long and very
WORLD WAR TWO AIRCRAFT CARRIER: HMS Formidable pictured in 1944.
strenuous term since these men last saw
their homes, and during it they have been to
the far corners of the earth and have battled
furiously with the enemy. But you won’t
find many scars of battle left. A few dents
in the island superstructure, and in the
middle of the flight deck a rather
unexpected large steel plate about 4ft.
square which doesn’t quite fit in with the
general pattern and has obviously been
added since she was built. I was in the
next-door ship, the Indomitable, the day
when that steel plate became necessary. It
was the fourth of May last year (1945) and
we were operating in the Pacific off the
Japanese islands. A Japanese suicide
bomber had just hit us in Indomitable.
It had come in low and had skated across
the flight deck before exploding as it went
over the side. We were just getting our
breath back when a voice beside me said:
“God, look at Formy!”
It was a ghastly sight. All you could see
was the bare outline of her hull, and rising
above it from stem to stern an enormous
pall of black smoke, belching furiously as
huge red tongues of flame shot upwards
every time something else caught fire. And
right amidships, a gigantic white fountain,
as high pressure steam screamed up into the
sky.
But the thing which almost took one’s
breath away was the fact that something
else was screaming upwards too. More
Kamakazes were diving to attack and to our
amazement tracers from ‘Formy’ were
racing up to meet them. It did not look
possible that anyone could be alive in that
inferno, and yet somehow or other gun
crews, scorched and with their throats
clogged, were still sticking to their job.
Whether she was hit again or not we
couldn’t see. There was too much smoke
and flame already. But she still held on.
Her engines were still heaving over.
Boilers had been put out of action, but
those men down in the boiler and engine
rooms were determined that she should
keep her place with the fleet.
At last a signal light flickered from her
bridge indicating she’d survived.
Within two hours her crew had the
fires under control, and within four a
temporary plate had been fitted over the
hole in her flight deck and she was
operating her aircraft with the Fleet.
D’you know, honestly, watching from
where I was that seemed a miracle---and
it was. But now that I have been in that
ship for the last five weeks, I understand
a great deal more how that miracle
happened. Not only is she a great ship on
the construction front but no other nation
has aircraft carriers which could have
stood up to the punishment she took that
day but even more important (and this is
what tells in the long run) she has a great
heart and a great strong heart in her
ship’s company. You have only got to
live with them to know what team work
really means what enormous strength can
be attained when every member of a
community is pulling his weight both
at work and play.
It was that strength, that team work,
which pulled ‘Formy’ through on May
4th and again when exactly the same
Continued on page 15
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
14
……………………………………………………
MANSTON MIRROR
THE RAF MANSTON
SPITFIRE & HURRICANE
MEMORIAL MUSEUM
MUSEUM PRESENTATION: From left, Paul Zec, Pat Daniels, Tony Sturgess, Marcus
Russell, Cynthia Shepherd, Jeremy de Rose, Matt Demedts, Phillip Abbot, Peter
Verdemato, Rosa Sear and Sid Farmer with Spitfire TB752.
Popular manager retires and plans welcome
return as a volunteer in busy museum shop
FRIENDS and colleagues of
RAF Manston Spitfire and
Hurricane Memorial Museum
manager Peter Verdemato
presented him with retirement
gifts for his nine years of
dedicated service.
Peter has worked tirelessly to
attract visitors to the museum
and has played a major role
in developing the shop and
introducing such a wide variety
of merchandise.
During his career he worked
with collections officer Tony
Sturgess to secure the museum
official recognition from the
Museum, Libraries and Archives
Council. This means the museum
is in a good position to apply for
funding from official bodies
linked to the all important Arts
Council.
At his retirement gathering
last month (January) he was
presented with a restaurant
voucher for Fortnum and Mason
in London, and a voucher for the
famous Foyles Bookshop.
Austrian-born entrepreneur Peter
is a keen historian.
Shortly after he announced his
POPULAR:
retirement Peter agreed he would
Peter Verdemato.
be most happy to continue his
relationship with the museum in
a volunteer capacity.
“I’ll be back!” he said.
Museum Trustee Sid Farmer said:
“Peter is a highly valued member
of the team and he has done a great
deal to help make the museum one
of the best in the region.
“We are delighted he has offered
to continue his work in the shop.
We know he has made many
friends here over the years.”
Continued from page 14
thing happened five days later. No
matter what punishment she took she
always remained with the Fleet. It
was that stout heart - the team work
of the men on deck and down below
in the boiler and engine rooms which
carried her through her difficult,
hazardous and brilliantly successful
commission finishing with the
repatriation of thousands of
ex-prisoners of war and Empire
troops to their home countries.
But now, as they near their own
homes these men are deeply
conscious that many of the original
members of the team are not returning
with them.
A
FT
NEXT MONTH AVIATION
AUTHOR
ROBIN J BROOKS
DISCUSSES THE
ROYAL FLYING CORPS IN
MANSTON AND KENT
DURING WORLD WAR ONE
MIRROR
VINTAGE AERO
AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING & PARTS
The suicide attacks cost them dearly
in gallant shipmates. They have left
behind in the Pacific a posthumous
VC and many other gallant aircrews.
In the midst of their excitement at
returning home, those shipmates
will never be forgotten. The
Formidable’s berth at Portsmouth is
within a few hundred yards of where
‘Victory’ sits. There is a brass plate
on the poop deck of the ‘Victory’ to
remind us of the stirring deeds and
great victories in Nelson’s day.
There is a steel plate on the flight
deck of the Formidable which
should remind us very forcibly that
the spirit of Nelson’s day is still very
much alive.
Anthony Kimmins 1946
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RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
15
……………………………………………………... MANSTON MIRROR
THE value of photographic
aerial reconnaissance had
been recognised during World
War 1, when aerial sketches
of enemy positions were
replaced with photographs.
At the beginning of World War
Two, Blenheims and Lysanders
were used for photoreconnaissance; but these
aircraft were slow and
vulnerable. It was realised
that only the Spitifire had speed,
height and reliability to be able
to conduct reconnaissance
missions with little chance of
being intercepted. Recognising
the value of photographic aerial
reconnaissance, Air Marshal
Dowding released two Spitfire
Mk 1s for this purpose in
September 1939. The guns, the
radio and all unnecessary
equipment were removed from
the aircraft, and cameras were
mounted in the wings.
The first mission over Aachen
in Novermber 1939 was
unsuccessful because of low
cloud; but the Spitfire proved
that it was admirably suited to
the PR (photo-reconnaissance)
role. Problems revealed by the
flights of early PR Spitfires
were solved: heating systems
were introduced to protect
the camera and film from the
effects of cold at high altitudes,
and an additional fuel tank
was added to increase the
operational range.
CLASSIC COLLECTION
with DR JULIAN BROCK
A close-up look at outstanding artefacts relating to
the RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum
Spitfires in photo-reconnaissance action
Specially modified canopies with
large lateral teardrop-shaped blisters
were installed, allowing the pilots a
much clearer view to the rear and
below; and a range of different
cameras and films were made
available, to suit the needs of a
particular mission.
The majority of PR Spitfire flights
took place at high altitude. But when
a high-altitude photo indicated the
presence of a potentially-significant
target, a lower-altitude mission might
be needed to record more detail.
Low-level flights were also required
when photos had to be taken below
cloud cover. Operating at low
altitudes exposed the Spitfires to
anti-aircraft fire and to the German
fighters which protected important
targets. A new version of Spitfire,
the Mk VII, was designed specifically for this type of mission. Unlike
earlier PR variants it had eight
machine guns. Some of the aircraft
were painted pale pink to help them
blend in with clouds when viewed
from the ground; this colour was
particularly effective during missions
at sunrise and sunset. Thirteen
variants of the PR Spitfire were
produced, each improving on the
capabilities of its predecessors. By
the end of the war, these aircraft
had an effective range of over 2000
miles, a top speed of 445 mph, and
a maximum altitude of 42,600 feet.
The final PR variant, the Mk XIX,
first flew in April 1944, and entered service the following month.
Operational flights by RAF PR
Spitfires continued until April
1954, and three of the aircraft
were then used for meteorological
research, finally being retired in
June 1957.
RIGHT: Low level oblique
view of the "Würzburg" radar
installation near Bruneval, in
Northern France, taken by Sqn
Ldr A.E.Hill on 5 December
1941. Photos like this led to
a commando raid in February
1942, when several key
components were removed
from the installation and
brought back to Britain.
(Source: Wikipedia)
GUN CAMERA: This 16mm film
camera can be seen positioned
on the wing of Spitfire TB752 in
the museum. During the war it
was activated by the gun and
triggers inside the cockpit. These
cameras, mounted in the leading
wing edge, recorded images of
dogfights and cannon fire during
engagement with enemy
aircraft. The camera pictured
above was donated to the
museum by Dr R D Hinge of
Birchington, Kent. The cassettes
which encased the film are also
on display.
OBITUARY: Dr Vivian
Griffiths - former Manstonbased Spitfire PR pilot see page 13.
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RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
16
…………………………………………………….
MANSTON MIRROR
Write to the Editor
melodyforeman@btinternet.com
Anonymous letters will not be published.
MANSTON MOMENTS
Your Letters
Vulcan airman can’t get
enough of our museum!
I FEEL that I must put pen to paper to say
how much I enjoyed my visit to your museum. I was on a coach trip to Kent from up
here in darkest Norfolk back in November
2013, a trip that was to take in the Spitfire and
Hurricane Memorial Museum and Chatham
Dockyard. Arriving at the museum mid
morning in somewhat foul weather we were
greeted by one of your representatives who
smoothly paved the way for us all (27 of us)
to enter the museum and start our visit. We
were kindly offered the services of a guide but
this was declined seeing as we all wanted to
see everything at our own pace. I am an
ex-military man and have visited numerous
museums in my time but the Spitfire museum
was the most evocative of all that I have
visited. The displays were thoughtfully
constructed and, in my opinion, catered for
people of all ages and depth of knowledge.
Although we had declined the services of a
guide there was always someone close by
who was able to answer our questions without
being an intrusion.
Unfortunately the 3 hours that we were
allocated went by far too swiftly and before
we knew it the time had come to board our
coach and head off to Chatham Dockyard. I
had only managed to see about half of the
exhibits and was very reluctant to leave but
the coach wasn’t going to delay just for me.
On the positive side this means that I will have
to visit the museum once again to take in the
remainder. This is a no-brainer and I shall
be soon heading back down to Kent and
the RAF Manston Spitfire and Hurricane
Memorial Museum in particular in the
Springtime.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to all
the crew at the museum who made our time
there so very pleasant. I hope that knowledge
of the museum spreads countrywide and that
your visitor numbers swell year on year. For
my part I’m spreading the word up here in
Norfolk so I’m doing my bit to keep this very
worthwhile museum going strong.
B J MASEFIELD
King’s Lynn
Norfolk
RAF Spitfire & Hurricane
Memorial Museum
DON’T MISS YOUR
MANSTON
MIRROR
MAGAZINE
NEXT MONTH: BARRY’S LIFE
SERVING WITH THE VULCAN
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Fleet Air Arm remembered
I WAS delighted to read the interview with
Keith Quilter in last month’s magazine. It was
interesting to know more about his war serving
with the Fleet Air Arm. Navy pilots faced a lot
of conflict not only in the air but at sea as well.
The fact Keith survived what he did makes him
a lucky chap indeed. What an amazing man!
S. MORLEY
Margate
‘Thank you for sending me a copy of
THE MANSTON MIRROR - the write
up about the Remembrance Day
Service was lovely’
- Wendy Stone, Headteacher
Minster Primary School
Minster, Ramsgate, Kent
Established: 1993
MERLIN
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The coolest
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WELCOME! We are situated behind the
RAF Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum
and remain open SEVEN days a week.
All food is freshly prepared to order and served
from 10am to 4pm each day.
Why not try our all day breakfast? We also serve tea, freshly
ground coffee, and filter coffee, and a wide selection of cold
drinks. There is also a children’s menu. Coach parties and large
groups are welcome to the Museum and café.
There’s a great parking area too!
Telephone:
01843 821945
HANGAR 10, KENT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MANSTON
The objective of Polar Helicopters is to provide an exceptional
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TELEPHONE: 01843 823067
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
17
…………………………………………………….
MANSTON MIRROR
DIARY
WHILE we wait for Carol Vorderman to
check her busy diary in regard to her VIP
visit to the RAF Manston Spitfire and
Hurricane Memorial Museum we must
congratulate her on gaining her private
pilot’s licence.
As revealed a few months ago we invited the
television presenter to call by for a cuppa and
take a look around out fabulous museum.
There’ll be more on that later but in the mean
time our congratulations must go out to Carol
who has just got her wings.
This means she is one step closer to fulfilling
a treasured dream of flying solo around the
world.
Carol, 52, took her licence exams in a single
engine Piper aircraft at the end of last year at
Gloucestershire Airport. She took off and
landed five minutes later to gain her final
points for the all important licence.
Bristol based Carol has long dreamed of
becoming an aviator and as a young woman
before her television career took off and she
became the face of the hit television show,
Countdown, she wrote to British Airways
looking for a job.
She is a big fan of aviatrix Amelia Earhart
who disappeared while flying over the Pacific
in 1937.
Carol’s big dream includes becoming the
fastest person to progress from first solo flight
to global solo flight, in about 18 months.
The round-the-world adventure will include
stops in South America, Sudan, Malaysia and
Congratulations Carol!
AVIATRIX: Carol Vorderman. Picture: PA
Pakistan. She will cover 29,000 miles. Carol’s
pilot training has mainly taken place at
Staverton Flying School in Gloucester.
She recently told the BBC: “It is fantastic. It
is everything I wanted it to be.”
Museum spokesman Sid Farmer said: “A big
well done Carol. We look forward to seeing
her when she flies in to Manston. There’s a
lot to see at our museum which attracts
thousands of visitors each year.”
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now on display at the RAF Museum at Hendon
Nick Pearshouse
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Our workshop is open to visitors on Monday,
Wednesday and Sunday 9am - 12.30pm.
We also have a Visitor Centre and Shop.
www.npplastering.com
Tel: 01634 204492
37 Augustine Road, Minster,
Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4DQ
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Medway Aircraft Preservation Society Ltd
is proud to support the RAF Manston
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum
Telephone: 01843 825949
Mobile: 07969 825085
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
18
…………………………………………………...
MANSTON MIRROR
Ken Tappenden
Toast Master and Master of Ceremonies
Kenneth E Tappenden MBE is
one of the UK’s leading and
most respected Toastmasters
and Master of Ceremonies.
Weddings of all denominations: Royal
Weddings, English, Jewish and Bar Mitzvahs,
Asian, Indian, Turkish, Greek, Awards,
Launches, Charity Concerts, City Liveries,
Cruises and Sporting Events, graduations.
Engaged at Hilton, Dorchester, Grosvenor
House, The Ritz, Ritz Club, Claridges, Savoy,
London Marriott, House of Lords/Commons,
Hurlingham Club, Palaces,Castles, Stately
Homes, QE2, Queen Mary, Eastwell Manor,
Cooling Castle, Barnsgate Manor.
Top man for marquees and outside events
and works for leading banqueting directors
and top licensed kosher caterers. Also a
City of London Beadle and Toastmaster for
Banquets and Services at the Mansion
House, Guildhall, St. Paul’s Cathedral and
all City Livery Halls. Celebrant for Civil
Marriages/Ceremonies and baby namings.
Contact Ken: The Old Coach House, Gleanings Mews,
St Margaret’s Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1SS
Telephone: 01634 402684
www.kentappenden.co.uk
Monkton
Village
R.W. JAKEMAN Hall
CARPENTER
JOINER
Repairs, Renovations & General Building Work
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For further details contact
Robert on
07850 468481
01843 822189
R.W. Jakeman, Monkton Street,
Monkton, near Ramsgate, Kent.
The Village Hall at Monkton, near Ramsgate, Kent,
can be hired for parties, meetings, clubs, wedding
receptions, keep fit, dance classes, quiz nights, etc
for very reasonable rates.
The Village Hall has recently been refurbished with
fully equipped kitchen and stage.
TO FIND OUT MORE
PLEASE CONTACT:
Mr Pete Mitchell on 01843 821439
before 6pm or email
mitch.1940@googlemail.com
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
19
MANSTON MIRROR
CROSSWORD
compiled by Dr Julian Brock
Across
1. Codename for the invasion of Sicily - shy uk (anag) (5).
3. Sitzkrieg - why no pear (anag) (6,3).
6. Famous female ATA pilot, d.1941 (3,7).
8. Location of unsuccessful invasion of Norway in 1940 (6).
11. US and Soviet forces met here in 1945 (6).
13. Germans invade an English village in this 1942 film
(4,3,3,4).
15. Italian-occupied country liberated in 1941 - bay is a sin
(anag) (9).
17. He was awarded the Iron Cross and the MBE(4,5).
20. UK's domestic sentinel (4,5).
21. Codename for the Normandy Landings on
D-Day (7).
22. Uncompleted V-2 launch base near Saint-Omer (2,7).
23. German battleship sunk near Tromso in 1944 (7).
Down
2. Submarine involved in Operation Mincemeat (6).
4. Luftwaffe General and flying ace, d.1996 (5,7).
5. Messerschmitt 323 transport aircraft (6).
7. Paramilitary force in Vichy France (6).
9. Operation to destroy the Norsk Hydro plant sue grinned (anag) (10).
10. Codename for the raid on St Nazaire in March 1942 (7).
12. Home of the RAF photographic interpreters (9).
14. British tank (9).
16. Vital Belgian port (7).
18. US aircraft carrier - not her (anag) (6).
19. D-Day beach (4).
ANSWERS TO OUR BUMPER
FESTIVE QUIZ
The RAF Manston Spitfire &
Hurricane Memorial Museum
GIFT SHOP has something for everyone!
JUST IN: Don’t miss our
gorgeous range of tasty
jams from the Wooden
Spoon Preserving Co.
MODELS:
Airfix kits.
CHURCHILL: A wide
range of tea-towels are
on display in the shop.
SLOGAN MUGS:
Time for tea.
BOOKS AND
MAGAZINES:
Huge variety of
publications.
HATS: Museum logo
caps are a popular gift.
RAF MANSTON SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM - MANSTON MIRROR February 2014
20