The People's Spitfire Pilot
To add further embarrassment, this letter was posted in the DT from Sqn Ldr Kornicki's son...
Journey to remember
SIR – My father, Franciszek Kornicki, was surprised by the support for him in the RAF Museum poll to choose a representative – not the “greatest” – Spitfire pilot (report, September 22).
But he was gravely embarrassed that you should credit him with 17 kills while serving in 303 Sqn during the Battle of Britain, and describe him as the top-scoring Battle of Britain pilot. You appear to have confused him with the Czech pilot in 303 Sqn, Sgt František, who did achieve this distinction before being killed.
My father is not in fact credited with any victories, then or later. He served as a Pilot Officer in 303 Sqn briefly towards the end of the Battle of Britain period, converting on to Hurricanes, but he has always rigorously rebutted any suggestion that he thus qualified as a Battle of Britain pilot – well aware of the distinction of those who endured that conflict and achieved so much.
Fighting in Poland, escaping through Romania, fighting in France, and escaping again to continue the struggle in Britain is the story of so many in the Polish Air Force.
My father’s role in that was commonplace; but as the only surviving Polish Squadron Commander, his importance now is as a witness and a representative of that remarkable wartime journey. That is distinction enough.
Richard Kornicki
Chairman, Polish Air Force Memorial Committee
Oops
Journey to remember
SIR – My father, Franciszek Kornicki, was surprised by the support for him in the RAF Museum poll to choose a representative – not the “greatest” – Spitfire pilot (report, September 22).
But he was gravely embarrassed that you should credit him with 17 kills while serving in 303 Sqn during the Battle of Britain, and describe him as the top-scoring Battle of Britain pilot. You appear to have confused him with the Czech pilot in 303 Sqn, Sgt František, who did achieve this distinction before being killed.
My father is not in fact credited with any victories, then or later. He served as a Pilot Officer in 303 Sqn briefly towards the end of the Battle of Britain period, converting on to Hurricanes, but he has always rigorously rebutted any suggestion that he thus qualified as a Battle of Britain pilot – well aware of the distinction of those who endured that conflict and achieved so much.
Fighting in Poland, escaping through Romania, fighting in France, and escaping again to continue the struggle in Britain is the story of so many in the Polish Air Force.
My father’s role in that was commonplace; but as the only surviving Polish Squadron Commander, his importance now is as a witness and a representative of that remarkable wartime journey. That is distinction enough.
Richard Kornicki
Chairman, Polish Air Force Memorial Committee
Oops
My post #68 refers.
IMHO this was an ill conceived idea, not thought through and poorly executed by people who may understand "museums", but not what the RAF Museum was about, is about and will continue to be about. I was told yesterday by a RAFA contact that the plan has been dropped, not before time. I do hope that the Trustees have followed what has been said on this thread and get the drift.
Hunterboy - please quote from any post in this thread which implies in any way that the Polish contribution to the Battle of Britain was anything less than magnificent. The whole thread has been about criticising RAFM for starting up the poll in the first place. The criticism would have been just as valid if Douglas Bader, Ginger Lacey or Pilot Officer Joe Soap had won, and the nationality of the winner is completely irrelevant.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/...pitfire-pilot/
Tankertrashnav.......my comment referred to the comments being made outside of this thread in newspapers, on TV and in the street about Europeans.
It is too easy to forget who your real friends are.
It is too easy to forget who your real friends are.
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This latest idea if the IWM recalls Churchill's supposed annotation on a file: "Take this away and wring its dirty neck !"
EDIT:
"Please, teacher, can I be the People's Vultee "Vengeance" Pilot [don't think there are any more around] Please, Please ?"..............
Danny.
EDIT:
"Please, teacher, can I be the People's Vultee "Vengeance" Pilot [don't think there are any more around] Please, Please ?"..............
Danny.
Last edited by Danny42C; 31st Oct 2017 at 18:01. Reason: Sudden Idea.
and totally forgotten afterwards
In the early 1970's I purchased a 1/48th scale model kit of the mighty Vengeance. So it would appear Airfix remained aware.
(The completed model, albeit modified slightly to be finished in RAAF colours was donated to the local flying club and was last seen hanging from the ceiling of the clubhouse in 1978.)
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Yes Danny, I think the Aussies remembered it better. I recall when I was at school there, the teacher talking about the Vengeance. Of course, I didn't think to ask questions; he may well have flown them.
There was also a 1/72 model of a Vengeance MK II produced by Frog. It can be built as one from 24 Sn RAAF or 84 Sn RAF based at Maharajpur in 1944.
Mine cost me 29p sometime a long long time ago and still not made.
Mine cost me 29p sometime a long long time ago and still not made.
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CoodaShooda (#116), Herod and Tengha Type,
Yes, our new young ATCs at Leeming built a 1/72 "Airfix" model for me around 1970. It was in SEAC camouflage colours, so presumably carried 84 Sqn markings. The only difference between Mks I and II was in who built it, Vultee or Northrop, the Mks were identical (also the Mk.III, which were all supplied on Lend-Lease).
The Mk.IV was a different animal (US A-35), all the others were US A-31s. It looked the same as all the rest, except that the twin 0.303 Brownings in the back (and in the wings) were replaced by a single 0.50 in the back, and the wings were put up from 0 degrees AoI to +4 degrees,
One of the above young gentllemen was a skilled draughtsman, drew me a fine line drawing (based on the model) which I treasure. If I ever learn how to put it up here, will do so.
Danny.
The model ? Almost half a century has passed; I have had three moves, it was very small and fragile ......Gone with the Wind !
Danny.
Yes, our new young ATCs at Leeming built a 1/72 "Airfix" model for me around 1970. It was in SEAC camouflage colours, so presumably carried 84 Sqn markings. The only difference between Mks I and II was in who built it, Vultee or Northrop, the Mks were identical (also the Mk.III, which were all supplied on Lend-Lease).
The Mk.IV was a different animal (US A-35), all the others were US A-31s. It looked the same as all the rest, except that the twin 0.303 Brownings in the back (and in the wings) were replaced by a single 0.50 in the back, and the wings were put up from 0 degrees AoI to +4 degrees,
One of the above young gentllemen was a skilled draughtsman, drew me a fine line drawing (based on the model) which I treasure. If I ever learn how to put it up here, will do so.
Danny.
The model ? Almost half a century has passed; I have had three moves, it was very small and fragile ......Gone with the Wind !
Danny.
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Remarkably there only seem to be two surviving Vengeances, both in in Oz along with a collection of parts. One's in a museum at Camden; the notes I'm looking at suggest the other is being restored to fly at Wangaratta. The parts may be sufficient to rebuild a further three, presumably static for museums.