Spitfire Pilot needs your help to make his Dream come true

[um152sqn]

Hi This is F/LT. John Anderson (93) who lives in Derby, John served with 152(Hyderabad) squadron from September 1940 - July 1941, he went on to serve with other squadrons during WW2. John would like to fly in Spitfire for one last time, So can anyone help please.
Cheers
Rob....
http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w516/um152sqn/Website%20bits/P1040115CR2_zps0cf01d8d.jpg (http://s1079.photobucket.com/user/um152sqn/media/Website%20bits/P1040115CR2_zps0cf01d8d.jpg.html)

[Danny42C]

Rob on behalf of John Anderson,

First welcome to you both aboard this Thread ! 93 ? - he's a year ahead of me, and he does look good ! (Hope for us all yet !) Now the only way I know is to approach the Grace Spitfire Trust <www.ml407.co.uk (http://www.ml407.co.uk).> (they run a Mk.IX T two-seater).

We have several areas in common. I served in India and Burma, flying the Vultee Vengeace with 110 (Hyderabad) Sqdn. I knew that there were other "Hyderabad" Sqdns around (for the Nizam's munificence knew no bounds), but never one with his hat for a badge ! I thought all the badges were variants of the Tiger of Hyderabad's mask.

I did my OTU on Spitfires at Hawarden July-September'42, then they sent me to India - but forgot to send any Spitfires ! (they did not arrive until later in '43 - Mk.VIIIs, I think). I'd be enormously interested in any details of his time on them in Burma, for I never came into contact with them out there. And I never flew one again until'51.

In the pic, he has a Mk.IX, and by the general ambience would say was somewhere in Mediterranean lands (he would be unlikely to need a Mae West in Burma).

Now please stay with us, get as much as you can out of John, and put it down ASAP on this (the best of all) Threads. EDIT: No, not on this, I mean the "Gaining a RAF Pilots Brevet in WWII"Thread - You'd be among friends there!

Danny42C.

[kookabat]

That would be this thread (http://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/329990-gaining-r-f-pilots-brevet-ww11.html), wouldn't it, Danny? :)

[CoffmanStarter]

Rob ...

I'm sorry that I can't help with your request ... but please pass on my best wishes to John Anderson.

I suspect he may remember F/L R.M.D. (Sam) Hall DFC who served with 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron from Sep 1940 to Dec 1940. Many, many years ago Sam was my Air Cadet CO.

More here ...

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/images-1.jpg

F/L R.M.D.HALL D.F.C (http://www.152hyderabad.co.uk/html/p_o_r_m_d_hall_d_f_c.html)

Battle Of Britain Pilots A-H. (http://www.152hyderabad.co.uk/html/battle_of_britain_a-h_.html)

[um152sqn]

Thanks Danny42C, I've sent an email request to Grace Spitfire Trust just waiting for a reply, I've spent the last 19 years helping guys from 152Hyderabad) Squadron 152 Hyderabad Squadron (http://www.152hyderabad.co.uk)
It's my hobby.
Cheers
Rob

[sycamore]

There`s also the Boultbee Academy at Goodwood..

[Treble one]

John Romain's company at Duxford (Aircraft Restoration Company) also operate a 2 seat Mk IX if it helps?

Contact details here

http://www.arc-duxford.co.uk/contact/

[Stitchbitch]

+1 for Boultbee Flight Academy

TEL : +44 (0) 7747 792395
EMAIL : [email protected]

:ok:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMsj_EAzmzc/

[Danny42C]

Kookabat,

Of Course ! Silly me ! The best of all Threads is without doubt the "WW11 Brevet" one - on which I have the honour to serve !

Senior Moment - will edit my #2 now. :uhoh:

Thanks for your Prompt.

Danny.

[Wander00]

What is the emblem on the squadron badge - looks a bit like a headless plaice! hope he makes I t into a Spitfire - unfortunately I do not have the contacts to help him

[CoffmanStarter]

Wander00 ...

No 152 Squadron became the "Gift" Squadron of Hyderabad and took it's crest, the Head-Dress of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Example of the Head Dress

http://www.internetstones.com/image-files/nawab-mir-osman-ali-khan-vii-th-nizam-of-hyderabad-asaf-jah-vii.jpg

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/28C54C53_1143_EC82_2E66A5A8950F1E0B.gif

More here ... which I assume is the sterling work of our new member um152sqn (Rob) :D

History (http://www.152hyderabad.co.uk/html/history.html)

And here ...

RAF - 152 Squadron (http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/152squadron.cfm)

[NutLoose]

Just as well he wasn't wearing one of these when they met.

http://i458.photobucket.com/albums/qq303/chapstien/4407375537_57ee091a8d.jpg


I hope he gets a trip, failing that has he tried the RR Derby Historical branch, they have a Mk19 at East Mids, he won't get a flight in it, but he might wangle a visit and sit in it... Just a thought.


.

[Wander00]

CS - well thanks for that - interesting origin

[Danny42C]

"Quel beau chapeau !" Looks like a bishop's mitre with a tuft on top.

D.

[CoffmanStarter]

My pleasure Wander00 ... I remember asking the same question, aged 15, of my Air Cadet CO Sam Hall ... and then receiving an impromptu history lesson :ok:

[Ian Burgess-Barber]

Just reading the August issue of "Pilot" magazine and they report of an outfit at Headcorn, Kent who have a two seat Spitfire. Aero Legends | Home Page (http://www.aerolegends.co.uk)

Best of luck with this project

Ian BB

[um152sqn]

Guys please don't think I've been rude in not replying to your messages, but I've been away for the week at War and Peace in Kent, I've contacted most of the people you have listed, just waiting for reply's, and thanks for the comments about the site. I will keep you updated :ok:

Cheers
Rob...

[spitnut]

Looks like John flew a Spitfire again!

Aero Legends | Articles (http://aerolegends.co.uk/articles/john-anderson-flies-a-spitfire-again/)

[NutLoose]

:D:D:D:D

Well done to all involved.

[Wander00]

DCO - "Well done", Aero Legends and all involved

[Treble one]

On this thread on UKAR


Duxford August Bimbles - *UPDATE 1 ~ 07Aug14* (http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=61960)


Cheers
TO


Delighted that the chaps at Duxford (ARCo and JR) were able to help. And what a treat to be flown by AM Spink!

[Wander00]

Had not realised there was a Chipmunk in UK with a "Canadian" bubble hood. Looks good

[Roadster280]

BZ .