SIGNING EVENT AT DUXFORD FLYING LEGENDS AIR SHOW - 9th & 10th JULY
What an event this promises to be! We'll be exhibiting some of our finest pieces AND will be joined by some amazing WWII veterans to meet enthusiasts and sign autographs for collectors.
SATURDAY 9th – RAF Fighter Command and Battle of Britain
Signing will start around 11am.
Flight Lieutenant ARCHIE McINNES - after completing pilot training he flew Hurricanes throughout the Battle of Britain with 610 and 238 Sqns. In late 1940 he moved to the Middle East flying Hurricanes, but in November 1941 he was shot down and badly injured. After prolonged hospitalisation in South Africa he returned to Britain for a posting at Whitehall.
Warrant Officer ERIC CARTER - from late 1940 he flew Hurricanes and Defiants with 615 Sqn in air defence over Northern England before moving to 81 Sqn, again on Hurricanes. In the autumn of 1941 he went with the squadron to Russia as part of Force Benedict to defend the port of Murmansk. Returning to the UK he later joined 456 Sqn flying Spitfires.
Squadron Leader IAN BLAIR DFM - joined the RAF at 16 as an Observer on Blenheims with 113 Sqn but during an operation his Pilot was killed, prompting him to take control. His actions earned him an immediate DFM and he soon went on to complete pilot training. He flew Spitfires over Europe with 501 and 602 Sqns.
Flight Lieutenant RODNEY SCRASE DFC - flew Spitfires with 72 Sqn over North Africa, Sicily and Italy before returning to Britain. He finished the war with 1 Sqn at RAF Manston, flying Spitfires on bomber escort duties over Europe and was officially credited with scoring 4 victories and 3 damaged.
SUNDAY 10th – RAF Bomber Command
Signing will start around 10.30am.
Warrant Officer CHARLIE DARBY - served with both 462 and 466 Sqns from RAF Driffield in Yorkshire as a Rear Gunner on Halifaxes. He completed 30 Ops over Holland and Germany and also on bombing missions on the Falaise Gap and the Ardennes in support of the Allied advance through France and Belgium.
Flight Lieutenant SYDNEY GRIMES - completed a full tour as a Wireless Operator on Lancasters with 106 Sqn before joining 617 Sqn for a second tour. His first mission was attacking the German battleship Tirpitz, before returning a month later on the mission that sank it. He finished the war having completed a total of 60 Ops.
Warrant Officer KEN JOHNSON - serving as a Mid-Upper Gunner on Lancasters he flew with 9 and 61 Sqns, completing a total of 44 Ops. These included raids on U-boats pens in Bergen, the mighty German battleship Tirpitz and Hitler’s alpine home at Berchtesgaden at the end of the war.
Warrant Officer FRANK ELLIOTT - served as a WOp/AG on Wellingtons and Halifaxes with 192 Sqn on operations over Europe. Towards the end of the war the squadron was also involved in searching for radio signals and jamming German radar defences.
Please be aware that the gallery will be open for viewings by prior appointment only from Wednesday 6th – Monday 11th July inclusive as we prepare for this exciting event. We are of course available on the phone and look forward to hearing from you during this time.
