Korean War historians help needed [Archive]

QuePee

28th Dec 2019, 12:56

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My father in law seems to have served time on all the aircraft carriers of the Korean War except for HMS Glory and I am trying to detail this period in his history. I have uncovered the attached photograph of him when serving with 802 Squadron on HMS Theseus, Ocean or Centaur. It appears to show him with one of the squadron aircraft and an unknown pilot. Its a bit of a long shot I know, but does anyone know the identity of the pilot. I know that my FIL was very friendly with Lt Peter Carmichael, could this be him. I cannot seem to find good photos of him from this period so I thought a query on pprune might hlep provide an answer.

many thanks for looking.

QuePee
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x1014/note_3_3b064fc5137f66a33d87583246af21fe7626f0f2.jpg
.

Asturias56

29th Dec 2019, 09:15

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80032077 is interesting

That doesn't look like Peter Carmichael in the picture but I have a vague memory of seeing the pilot somewhere else..............

TEEEJ

29th Dec 2019, 13:05

Could it be Brian Ellis?

https://navywings.org.uk/navy-wings-commemorates-sea-fury-65/

Asturias56

29th Dec 2019, 15:09

https://www.aerosociety.com/news/sea-fury-vs-mig-15-the-true-story/

Could be - his ears look the same in the original pic & the latest ones - and ears never change....................

dduxbury310

30th Dec 2019, 06:07

I think there can be only one pilot in this photo - the chap in the flying suit. The sailor on the left would appear to be a mechanic (by his overalls), but regardless of his actual trade, his ordinary sailor's cap signifies he is not an NCO (CPO, etc, who had peaked caps and different badges), and if NCO pilots still did exist in FAA at this time, then he would have the peaked cap. No disrespect intended by this statement, but the chap with the flat-top sailor cap simply cannot be a pilot.
David D

Quemerford

30th Dec 2019, 06:14

I think there can be only one pilot in this photo - the chap in the flying suit. The sailor on the left would appear to be a mechanic (by his overalls), but regardless of his actual trade, his ordinary sailor's cap signifies he is not an NCO (CPO, etc, who had peaked caps and different badges), and if NCO pilots still did exist in FAA at this time, then he would have the peaked cap. No disrespect intended by this statement, but the chap with the flat-top sailor cap simply cannot be a pilot.
David D

Um. Did you read the OP? No-one said there were two pilots. The chap on the left is the OP's relative.

QuePee

31st Dec 2019, 13:51

Um. Did you read the OP? No-one said there were two pilots. The chap on the left is the OP's relative.
Absolutely correct. I know the chap on the left, he was Petty Officer William Stephen Laing ex of 727, 802, 803, 807 and 813 Sq. He was never a pilot and I am sorry if somehow I gave the impression he was.

As for the other gentleman, I think you may very well have identified him for me. As you say the ears are a bit of a giveaway.

Many thanks to all contributors for taking the time to help me out.

QP