Your Chance to Help a 91 Year Old Spitfire Pilot
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Your Chance to Help a 91 Year Old Spitfire Pilot
I have been advised to come on this Forum as I am trying to get some kind soul to fly a 91 year old Spitfire pilot & myself, from Lincolnshire down to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire (130 miles) & back.
During the War, Alec had to fly, unarmed & take photos of the French Ports & airfields all the way down to the Spanish Border, in a Spitfire.
In 2001, the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson held it's 60th Annaversary Reunion & asked Alec if he would bring photos of his Spitfires, reconnaissance photos & Press cuttings that he had saved, to be displayed at the Reunion.
After the Reunion, when Alec's belongings were not returned, he tried contacting Benson, but his calls were never returned. Even the Commanding Officer, surprisingly did not respond to Alec's letters.
Alec is nearly blind now & this has had a very bad effect on him. I took up the banner last November & contacted RAF Benson on Alec's behalf. They have at least now had the decency to write to Alec & apologise to him, for the treatment that had received in the past.
Unfortunately, they have done a thorough search of their archives & cannot find any of Alec's items. The Commanding Officer has invited us to meet face to face to try & resolve this situation then take Alec on a tour of the Station where Alec had once been.
It will take between six & seven hours to drive to Benson & back. The train will take nine hours & require six changes in total, which are both too much for a 91 year old. RAF Benson cannot supply air transport but have kindly said that they will give any private aicraft bringing Alec, permission to land. So please, are there any aviators out there that could make a very brave wartime aviator a very happy man ?
During the War, Alec had to fly, unarmed & take photos of the French Ports & airfields all the way down to the Spanish Border, in a Spitfire.
In 2001, the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit at RAF Benson held it's 60th Annaversary Reunion & asked Alec if he would bring photos of his Spitfires, reconnaissance photos & Press cuttings that he had saved, to be displayed at the Reunion.
After the Reunion, when Alec's belongings were not returned, he tried contacting Benson, but his calls were never returned. Even the Commanding Officer, surprisingly did not respond to Alec's letters.
Alec is nearly blind now & this has had a very bad effect on him. I took up the banner last November & contacted RAF Benson on Alec's behalf. They have at least now had the decency to write to Alec & apologise to him, for the treatment that had received in the past.
Unfortunately, they have done a thorough search of their archives & cannot find any of Alec's items. The Commanding Officer has invited us to meet face to face to try & resolve this situation then take Alec on a tour of the Station where Alec had once been.
It will take between six & seven hours to drive to Benson & back. The train will take nine hours & require six changes in total, which are both too much for a 91 year old. RAF Benson cannot supply air transport but have kindly said that they will give any private aicraft bringing Alec, permission to land. So please, are there any aviators out there that could make a very brave wartime aviator a very happy man ?
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A few years ago a colleague and I flew a former Battle of Britain Hurricane Pilot and his wife to Benson for a similar trip. Ray had finished his war there as a Spitfire PRU Pilot. The staff at Benson did just about the minimum they could to remain courteous falling short of offering him lunch or any other form of hospitality. We all came away a little bit disappointed. It would appear that we civilians have greater regard for war veterans than the current RAF does.
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Sammy, sounds just like the RAF I used to know and love.........
I would jump at the chance of helping Alec if I could, it would be a privilege and an honour. I doubt whether the lot at Benson would consider it such.
I have a book that belonged to my Dad called Winged Victory, by Johnny Johnson and Paddy Lucas. It was presented to my Dad who awarded the BEM and was signed to my Dad by Johnny. In it Johnson mentions that at the end of the war his wing was visited by one of the Airships (air officers for the non RAF) who had spent the war fighting behind a desk. The first thing he had to say to Johnny was the state of his battledress and whether it was approved uniform. Johnson was disgusted as you can imagine. The forces in peacetime are run by gray suits, just the same as the government.
I must say that I have no qualms about thanking the guys who gave their all fighting for me during WWII. I was at Duxford a few years ago in the American museum and overheard an old American guy who was a P51 pilot talking to his wife. There is a wall in there with lots of American airmen's names on it. I had no hesitation in shaking his hand and thanking him for the sacrifices that he and his comrades made on my behalf. What is it about this country that treats it's veterans so shabbily yet in the States people like Alec would be venerated. It makes my blood boil, it really does.
I would jump at the chance of helping Alec if I could, it would be a privilege and an honour. I doubt whether the lot at Benson would consider it such.
I have a book that belonged to my Dad called Winged Victory, by Johnny Johnson and Paddy Lucas. It was presented to my Dad who awarded the BEM and was signed to my Dad by Johnny. In it Johnson mentions that at the end of the war his wing was visited by one of the Airships (air officers for the non RAF) who had spent the war fighting behind a desk. The first thing he had to say to Johnny was the state of his battledress and whether it was approved uniform. Johnson was disgusted as you can imagine. The forces in peacetime are run by gray suits, just the same as the government.
I must say that I have no qualms about thanking the guys who gave their all fighting for me during WWII. I was at Duxford a few years ago in the American museum and overheard an old American guy who was a P51 pilot talking to his wife. There is a wall in there with lots of American airmen's names on it. I had no hesitation in shaking his hand and thanking him for the sacrifices that he and his comrades made on my behalf. What is it about this country that treats it's veterans so shabbily yet in the States people like Alec would be venerated. It makes my blood boil, it really does.
Last edited by thing; 24th Feb 2011 at 23:45.
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It would be quite a station commander who would refuse landing rights to the formation of beautiful old planes which I feel sure must be slowly building up!
Perhaps Alec will arrive in style in a Staggerwing or similar, i.e. in comfort with on both wings a Spit and a flotilla of other planes behind!
RAF Benson cannot supply air transport but have kindly said that they will give any private aicraft bringing Alec, permission to land. So please, are there any aviators out there that could make a very brave wartime aviator a very happy man ?
Somebody please take some pics and post them here!
Time for GA UK to unite....
Perhaps Alec will arrive in style in a Staggerwing or similar, i.e. in comfort with on both wings a Spit and a flotilla of other planes behind!
RAF Benson cannot supply air transport but have kindly said that they will give any private aicraft bringing Alec, permission to land. So please, are there any aviators out there that could make a very brave wartime aviator a very happy man ?
Somebody please take some pics and post them here!
Time for GA UK to unite....
Give it a month for her to come out of her annual, and I'd gladly add a 1947 4-seater to the mix. Actually based close to Benson, but we could always split the trip if anybody wants to come down from Lincs but would prefer not to hang about Benson for 6 hours.
G
G
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I went on my e-mail & a Flt Lt who flys out of RAF Waddington kindly offered to fly Alec & myself down to Benson & back. I immediatly accepted his offer then came on PPRuNe & WOW ! what a response. Alec & myself would like to thank everyone who has offered or was willing to help. It really makes you understand that there are genuine & caring people out there that are willing to help. We are hoping to go down after April so will keep you posted on how it went - THANK YOU.
