Spitfire TE311 Q The March issue contained a big feature on the RAF BBMF’s new Spitfire TE311, while the April issue’s Letter of the Month from Mike Livermore mentioned its former silver colour scheme.
A J.G. Snetterfield submits a photo of himself sitting in a silver Spitfire at the 1953 Battle of Britain Air Show at Benson and is convinced it was TE311 – he distinctly remembers the inboard cannon being blanked off, and the other Spitfires there were PR versions.
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Lincoln accidents
Q Nigel Rumble’s father, Sqn Ldr A.E. Rumble AFC, chief test pilot for the D.H. Propeller Division, took off from Hatfield on February 28, 1946, in Lincoln RA678 and shortly after take-off lost an engine, soon followed by a second, third and fourth, but he managed to glide and side-slipped into a field south of Shenley for a crash landing, breaking the Lincoln’s back but the crew survived.
It appears that soon after this, an identical Lincoln accident occurred at RAE Farnborough and five months later another at the A&AEE. It was said that the braking system, used in taxying prior to take-off either depleted the air pressure which was also responsible for the fuel supply or the reverse. Can anyone comment on this? One strange fact is that this Lincoln was said to have served only with No 149 Sqn and was struck off charge on September 21, 1950, more than four years after the accident – is it possible that the serial has been misquoted?
One-Eleven crash memorial
Q Christopher von Patzelt (
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) is arranging a church service and memorial unveiling for the crew of BAC One-Eleven G-ASHG which crashed near Chicklade, Wilts, 50 years ago. He would like to hear from any relatives who might wish to attend this event on October 22, 2013.
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Spitfire P8562 Q Don Drew is assembling the history of Spitfire IIb P8562, a gift from the people of Carmarthenshire, which was badged Shir Gar and went to No 610 Sqn, the Air Fighting Development Unit and finally on fighter affiliation duties with No 1687 Flight. Can anyone help with details of its operational history or photographs? He has one without a fuselage code.
Any ideas on which North American type this instrument panel is from?
Instrument panel Mike Cromie has an old negative of a North American Aviation cockpit and asks if anyone can identify the type.
