WW2 Hawker Typhoon pilot memoirs [Archive]

tow1709

23rd Apr 2009, 17:14

Hi all
I have a friend and former colleague, who flew Typhoons and Tempests (among other things) during WW2. His name is Peter Brett and he served with 164, 182, and 183 sqns. He has written up some memoirs and anecdotes about his training in Canada and subsequent active service, and he was wondering if they would be of interest on this forum.

Peter is now about 86, and his poor eyesight does not let him use a computer easily himself, but I am willing to do some editing of the material into bite-size chunks and post them on here if I perceive there is enough interest shown. Alternatively, if there is a better place than this forum to "publish" the material, please let me know

If any former RAF colleagues of Peter read this and remember him, and would like to get touch, please PM me. He is living in France with his wife and daughter.

I myself am not a military aviator, but work in the defence industry. I am also a "late starter" PPL student.

BackfromIraq

23rd Apr 2009, 19:31

Resounding "Yes, please" from me.

Lots of fantastically interesting and sobering history is being lost due to peoples' modesty, especially those who "just did their job" a long time ago. I'm not suggesting we should all be trying to dine out on our stories but some of these guys went way beyond what we are ever likely to and I feel that their stories deserve to be published if they've taken the effort to put them down in script.

Hoping you'll see fit to do it!

Brewers Droop

23rd Apr 2009, 19:39

tow

It may be worth dropping a line to 3 Sqn at Coningsby or their association Three's Company - No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron Association Web Site (http://www.3fsquadronassociation.co.uk/) (I am sure they are both watching this thread). I am not on the Sqn anymore but had some relativelly recent humbling experiences listening to the old Typhoon and Tempest Boys on the Fighting Third, some who are still around today. Including the guy who shot down an Me262. a few who spent their days wing tipping V1s out of the sky and another who got shot down over over Northen Europe and then spent his time working with the resistance to find V2 sites before "taking a short walk to Gibraltar". There was no grumbling when they came around the Sqn, only mutual respect, a full crewroom and amazement of what they had gone through.

As for me, I can't get enough of the old boys stories so bring it on. And they need writing down because there all of a ripe old age, there stories cannot be forgotten and they are heroes, every last one of them. They remind me why, between the daily frustrations and grumblings of the current air force, why I still feel proud to wear the uniform and stand quiet on Remembrance Day.

seafuryfan

23rd Apr 2009, 19:55

Stories from the old boys we hear in the Mess make for eye-popping stuff. 'Total War'.

And the Tempest was the Daddy of all WWII piston fighters.

Yes please Pete. What was it like to fly the 3000hp 24 cylinder beast?

iwalkedaway

23rd Apr 2009, 20:00

There's a telling story in a recent book about RAF Westhampnett - today better known perhaps as the Goodwood airfield and motor racing circuit, at Chichester, Sussex. Evidently three squadrons of Typhoons were stationed there during the battle of Normandy period in 1944 - and their formation take-offs, fully fueled and armed, with their Napier Sabre engines at full boost, led a group of locals to contact the station commander (and the local press) to complain about THE NOISE!

green granite

23rd Apr 2009, 20:05

If it was only a quarter as interesting a the "Pilots Brevet" thread it would be still well worth reading so yes please bring it on. :ok:

davaar lad

23rd Apr 2009, 20:08

There is a local bloke; Ron Pottinger, he has written a book "The View From the Office" about his time on 3 Sqn Typhoons. It is a bit specialist and i'm not too sure how wide the circulation is, but I commend it to the House.
If your buddy wants to get in touch, I can probably get his contact details.

DL

brickhistory

23rd Apr 2009, 20:08

Yes! from the other side of the Atlantic.

Another good Typhoon pilot's tale is "A View from the Office." Self-published, I think, but available.

Jimmy Macintosh

23rd Apr 2009, 20:10

That would be excellent.

In all honesty adding it to the "gaining a pilots brevet in WWII" would be even better. Currently a light to heavy bomber pilot, a pilot to FE convert and a fighter pilot/ground attack would be an excellent addition. It would also probably inspire regle and cliffnemo to continue.

Look forward to reading them wherever they appear.

Green Flash

23rd Apr 2009, 20:46

YES!

Please!:ok::)

Lucky Six

25th Apr 2009, 10:48

Yes please. Another good read is Typhoon Pilot by Desmond Scott (RNZAF) - to quote from the cover "Whereas the Spitfire always behaved like a well-mannered thoroughbred on first acquaintance, the Typhoon always reminded me of a low-bred carthorse whose pedigree had received a sharp infusion of hot-headed sprinter's blood."

S'land

25th Apr 2009, 13:09

A most resounding YES PLEASE. We have had the Sunderland memoirs and currently have the WWII brevet thread. The more contributions we have the better as far as I am concerned.

cliffnemo

25th Apr 2009, 15:33

I would more than welcome a 'hot pursoot ship pilot ' to my thread. Also required immediately , one navigator, one bomb aimer, one wop, one tail end charlie , plus a mid upper. three shillings and sixpence a day and all found. Must be age eighty three or over.

tow1709

25th Apr 2009, 17:42

Thank you to all who responded to my OP, and to those who sent me PM's. I will respond to the PM's individually as soon as possible.

The response seems unanimous, so I will go ahead and do this.

I like the idea of joining cliffnemo's "brevet" thread, as suggested by Cliff himself and by Jimmy Mac. I have not read the whole of that thread, but my impression is that much of its extra appeal lies in the "banter" between Cliff and regle on the one hand and the rest of the readership on the other - which unfortunately Peter himself will not be able to participate in quite so easily, due to the difficulty he now has in using a computer. Responses from him may take a while to appear, and may need me to act as go-between. However I am willing to give it a go if you are.

Incidentally Pete's work is divided into a dozen or so chapters each of about 3000-4000 words, or about 4 or 5 sides of A4 per chapter, so I will try and post in similar size chunks to those already existing on the thread.

Pete's text still needs checking for typos and continuity, so I will get on with that and hope to be posting soon.

Finally, I was disappointed that the mods chose to move my thread (within less than six hours!!) away from its original place in the Military Aviator's forum. My subject seemed to have a lot more to do with military aviation than some of the threads (e.g.MP's houses) now there. However, my OP has served its purpose and we will move on from here.

Best regards TOW

Noah Zark.

25th Apr 2009, 18:22

A resounding "yes please!" here too! Excuse the slight thread creep, but does anyone know of any film or video clip with sound of a Typhoon with the Sabre running? I've never heard one, but I'd sure love to!

cliffnemo

25th Apr 2009, 19:32

Tow1709 he must have some interesting photos too, they can be posted to 'Sticky: Photos of everyone', or on my thread You may know how to scan to a host, such as photobucket, if not P.M me.
It's all good fun, and there are a lot of younger people out there who want to know. TYPOS, don't worry, we 'cudnnt
care les' . Let's try and keep it going, Regle and I will run out of info soon.
CLIFF.

blackburn

26th Apr 2009, 13:07

I have a copy of a paper back book titled "Typhoon Warfare" "reminiscences of a Rocket firing Typhoon pilot - WW2", written and published by Tom Hall of Melbourne. The book in Tom’s words “is based on Tom's logbook entries which are interspersed with stories relating to people”. He has dedicated the book to all those that served in 175 Squadron of the RAF during WW2.
From the foreword in the book, "Tommy Hall (born May 1921) was one a large number of RAAF pilots serving in the Typhoon squadrons of the RAF and joined 175 squadron in May 1944"
There have been two editions printed in Melbourne, the first in 2000 and again in 2004 but I suspect that they were very limited print runs.
The printer was Blueprint, 225 Ingles Street, Port Melbourne VIC Australia 3207 and their telephone number in 2004 was +61 3 9645 2722.
Blackburn

Centaurus

26th Apr 2009, 14:30

have a copy of a paper back book titled "Typhoon Warfare" "reminiscences of a Rocket firing Typhoon pilot - WW2", written and published by Tom Hall of Melbourne

Excellent book of which I have a signed copy. We were fortunate to have Tom give a talk to the Aviation Historical Society in Melbourne several years ago. A few weeks later I picked him up at home and gave him a few circuits in the Ansett Boeing 737-300 full flight simulator as thanks for his marvellous talk. He was gobsmacked by the simulator and did a good job of handling. I think Tom Hall died a year or so ago.

PPRuNe Pop

26th Apr 2009, 14:40

Sorry tow1709, but as your post is both history and nostalgia this forum is where it should be. Makes sense as well as making sure all those who love nostalgia, and who generally only come here to savour such stories.

Its true it was military aviation but that was the 40's - we are now 69 years further on.

But thanks for the opportunity that Peter Brett has given us.

When can we look forward to it?

PPP

henry crun

26th Apr 2009, 21:10

Noah Zark: This link should take you to a sound file of the Sabre.
Aviation Sound Files (http://www.alexisparkinn.com/aviation_sound_files.htm)

kevmusic

26th Apr 2009, 21:46

Wouldn't play in my Windows Media Player. :{

agnesmv

14th Jun 2009, 17:08

It is possible to obtain the book by contacting the publisher
TT Hall 1/32 Mountain View P de Rosanna VIC 3084
TEL australia (03) 9459 0948

agnesmv

14th Jun 2009, 17:17

I have recently got the book, you have to contact BluePrint, 225 Ingles Street
Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207 Autralia Telephone (03)96452722
It is well worth reading.
 
Furthermore the Squadron's ORBs are now open to anyone who wishes to read them and if they are interested the person to contact is Typhoon Historian Chris Thomas.  I can send his address if of interest.
 
I was interested as I was in love with another pilot in 175 SQ a South African, Capt. Maurice Hopkins.  He committed suicide after being home for a few months. 
 
I understand most of those boys are now between 88 to 90+ and very few are still alive-  But if there is anyone who still remembers him and can tell me something of his life at the time, I would be grateful for information. 
 
All I have left is his letters from the front, his identification bracelet and sweetheart's wings.  All his next of kin have also passed away.

mike-renkum

10th Aug 2011, 23:47

hello

I am looking for the name of the next best part of the typhoon hawker who can give me the right andwoord ..??? :)

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k582/speurneus1/partty.png
[IMG]http://www.pprune.org/http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k582/speurneus1/partty.png

astir 8

11th Aug 2011, 07:12

Rocket rail front attachment point?

Giglamps

11th Aug 2011, 21:19

Have I missed something? What happened to Peter Brett's memoirs?
He was in my uncle Stuart Lovell's flight (brother of the better-known Tony Lovell) on 183Sqdn in January 1944, and often flew as his wingman; and was with him on the 29th - but as no.3 - when the short-sighted but gung-ho Stuart unwisely tried to beat up Guipavas twice within 20 minutes.
Brett features briefly in my paper on the two brothers. I have a relevant extract from same available as a .doc document, which can be accessed (I hope, bit new at this) by going to
www.sites.google.com/site/thelovellstory/ (http://www.sites.google.com/site/thelovellstory/)

RGB

Tiger_mate

11th Aug 2011, 22:47

To add some colour to the thread; a new painting of Typhoons:
http://home.btconnect.com/aeroartist/typhoon.jpg
Gets my vote :ok:

avionic type

12th Aug 2011, 01:06

Sorry I get a 404 error page from the link but there is a good flying sequence on U-tube, we had an ex pilot at our firm and he didn't think much of the Sabre engine his seized on him and he spent the rest of the war as a POW.:hmm::hmm::hmm:

kevmusic

12th Aug 2011, 22:51

Noyade

12th Aug 2011, 23:39

I am looking for the name of the next best part of the typhoon hawker who can give me the right andwoord ..??? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/smile.gifI could be wrong, but the point you're possibly making is that "piece" shouldn't be on the illustration at all?

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7191/img018g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/img018g.jpg/)
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/4773/3inrp60pdrloadingontyph.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/3inrp60pdrloadingontyph.jpg/)

Noyade

13th Aug 2011, 07:50

The rocket/rail/pylon have been moved forward

Ahhh...thanks Brian. :)

Chairborne 09.00hrs

19th Aug 2011, 13:50

Back on track - Peter Brett's memories, please...

Rollingthunder

20th Aug 2011, 01:13

Ask him to crank up the magnification and get weaving. These histories are too important to be lost.

POBJOY

25th Aug 2011, 00:02

Repellin

4th Oct 2011, 10:11

Hello,
Is it still possible to find the Ron Battinger's book "A view from the office"?
Regards
PR
[email protected]

Wokkafans

4th Oct 2011, 10:22

Repellin - Amazon UK have a number of copies - you may be able to get them to dispatch to France so worth a try.

Good luck

WF

A View from the Office: A Personal Story from the Second World War: Amazon.co.uk: Ronald William Pottinger: Books

Savoia

24th Oct 2011, 19:19

An enjoyable snippet of Hawker Typhoon history:

Iffnw_rbB1Q&feature=relmfu

sablatnic

24th Oct 2011, 21:03

The link has gone, but it can be found at this 'museum'.

Aviation Sound Files (http://web.archive.org/web/20100415020710/http://www.alexisparkinn.com/aviation_sound_files.htm)

jindabyne

25th Oct 2011, 09:09

Tiger Mate

And two more - then and now

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb59/malgrosse/IMG_0213-Copy-1-1.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb59/malgrosse/0000-Copy-1.jpg

TyphoonGuy

30th Jul 2012, 14:47

Sorry to jump in late and bump this thread but I would be really interested in those memoirs.

My grandfather Donald Lovell was a Typhoon pilot in 182 squadron. He crash landed in the Netherlands making it back to allied lines to fly again and crash landed in Findon on his way back from a sortie before d-day.

We have his log book from D-Day onwards however his previous logbook was stolen in the build up to D-Day. He was in hospital having crashed his car avoiding a Sherman during the blackout and his kit was sadly lost or stolen in transit.

He was also one of the instructors in Canada. So they may have known each other.

Not sure if you have this group photo?

http://www.findonvillage.com/p2058_lovell_holland_1945_0258.jpg

MHP

2nd Mar 2013, 16:04

Following your post, Wing Cmd Peter Brett did indeed know your Grandfather and was his Wing Man. In the group photo posted by you, he is the first man on the left, middle row.

Sadly Peter Brett died this morning ( March 02, 2013) aged 92 at the Maison de Retiermant, Saulieu, 21210, France.

Wing Cdr Peter Brett was unable to write his memoirs but talked about his wartime service and these memories can be heard spoken by him on youtube. Search Peter Brett.

Lest We Forget.

TyphoonGuy

3rd Mar 2013, 15:02

I'm truly sorry to hear that Wing Cmd Brett has passed away. I pass on my most sincere condolences.

I will take a look at his online interviews and will continue to try and track down information regarding the exploits of 182.

PPRuNeUser0139

4th Mar 2013, 07:48

I had the privilege of meeting Bob Barckley at a reunion of the Comet escape line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_line) in Brussels in 2011. Then a spry and charismatic 90 year old, I would have put him at 80 - tops.
He was shot down (flak) over Belgium in his Typhoon in mid-43 and made it back home via the Pyrenees and Gibraltar after 8 weeks. He subsequently converted to the Tempest - shooting down a dozen V1s.:D Here (http://www.cometeline.org/fiche117.html)'s his Comet file.

Giglamps

11th Mar 2013, 01:24

Interesting coincidence, as Peter Brett on 183 Sqdn also flew as wingman to Stuart Lovell, Tony Lovell's lesser-known older brother. In fact he was in his section on Lovell's last flight, who was lost while beating up Guipavas twice on the same operation - strictly against the rules, but that was Stu Lovell for you. Always a press-on spirit, said Poppa Ambrose much later (he was also short-sighted, and had optically-ground goggles).
On the Guipavas occasion - 29 January 1944 - Peter Brett was actually flying no.3; being tasked with looking out for ground targets, he did not see Lovell go right over the flak, take a chunk out of the roof of a wooden hangar, and come down on the dry fuel compound. His wingman Smith came down beyond the airfield. Until then it had been a good day for Peter Brett, for 183 had paid a quick visit to Morlaix, and he wrote in his logbook "Bags of joy. Shot up train, buildings and gunposts".
Peter Brett thought that Lovell had been a considerate flight commander, and this showed in the way he always allowed time and space for his formation to follow him when making turns in finger-four configuration. When he himself became a flight commander he tried to emulate Stu Lovell's methods.
I expect in his recorded interviews he mentioned the fact that when 183 Sqdn was at Predannack he used to draw cartoons in yellow paint on the back of peoples' Irving jackets in the mess at the Mullion Hotel..

Giglamps

Speedbird48

12th Mar 2013, 14:04

As an aside to the other great Typhoon pilots, I had an instructor in my early days, Eddie Hewett who had been shot down in a Typhoon near Abbeville and badly hurt. He wore a beard to cover wounds and had a large lump of his thigh missing. He said he had been saved when the machine hit a land mine after going through a wall and that blew the machine apart and him out of it??

I once saw a picture of him with a group around a Hurricane in the Western Desert as a Sergent Pilot but I belive he was a Wing Commander when the war ended??

Anyone else know any more about him?? A great pilot and instructor.

Speedbird 48.

SimonK

26th Apr 2020, 11:50

Quick thread resurrection - I was researching a logbook I own to a 183 Sqn Typhoon pilot and followed the comments above to Peter Brett's interviews on Youtube. There's hardly any views and they're really interesting recollections worthy of much wider notice, so I've put a link to the channel below (I have no affiliation with it and it's free anyway!), so if you have any Typhoon interest please go and watch these videos. If you don't like clicking on links then go to YouTube and search for Peter Brett Typhoon, the channel creator is Frances Williams:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdM04aP9TQc1jy4OOpb4Qgw

POBJOY

6th May 2020, 21:48

In the old Redhill TC days Ray Hannah would sometimes appear at the club shows (in the Spitfire) and some of his RAF exploits would emerge.
I recall one of these entailed swopping a ride of some jet he was in to get his hands on a TT Tempest. (prob a mk6) (prob Sylt)
His descripton of "climbing up" into this oil covered monster, not being allowed to start the engine himself and seeing the entire engine cowling gyrating around in front of him has never left me,as was his description of the take off.
Whether this event was ever recorded in an article or interview i am not sure, but i got the impression he was quite impressed with his ride !!!

As this thread has resurfaced it is opportune to record that i subsequently spoke to a former Tempest Tug (Sylt) pilot (it was that or a ground tour at the time) who did a reverse swop and did his fist Jet ride in a single seat Vampire. His memory recalled a few items of the event :- The splendid view, the slow acceleration, less noise (and very quiet when he switched on the hood seal) plus not slowing down very quickly on approach. He was amazed how easy it was.

teeteringhead

7th May 2020, 16:21

But that (swapping types) was the way it was done in them days. I recall researching the logbooks of an aged pilot who worked for me (aged, as in 12 years younger than I am now) in preparation for his retirement; and seeing some Sabre time, when I thought he was a Hunter man (amongst many other types).

He told me it was a squadron exchange with a USAF Sqn in Germany, and they literally flew each others types (single seaters, no sim) after a helpful (qualified) man would stand on the steps and help them start it, then give a few speeds, and point out useful "Knobs and Tits".

And off they went!