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Post by Tony on May 24, 2012 13:36:06 GMT 12
From Wiki: List of aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal New Zealand Navy en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_of_the_Royal_New_Zealand_Air_Force_and_Royal_New_Zealand_Navy#M
Hawker Aviation United Kingdom 4 Hawker Hurricane+ aircraft of 486(NZ) Squadron and 488(NZ) Squadron; The 4 are the survivors of 9 aircraft received by 488 in Singapore. Apparently 75 Squadron also received at least one Hurricane as a hack - a pilot was posted as missing presumed killed while flying it. 1941-1943 To be taken with this methinks  |
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Post by oggie2620 on May 29, 2012 2:49:20 GMT 12
Have put it on the Assn Facebook page. I wonder if its true...
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Jul 17, 2012 1:21:33 GMT 12
Hi I believe it to be true. Funnily enough the story was told to me a couple of weekends ago whilst I was attending the Friends of 75 Squadron Association Summer reunion. I was showing a number of the group photos of the Squadron I have to try to identify people. I had a print of a full squadron photo from 1943; mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=18276&recordNum=77&q=aeroplane&s=a&l=mithe 4th, front row from the left (with his arm around the third in from left) was identified as 'Allen' - don't know if this was first or last name, though I assume last name..... Apparently, he took the aircraft in question and just flew off in it - the assumption was either he flipped or it was a very dangerous joyride that went wrong......the assumption was that either he crashed accidentally or ran out of fuel over the North Sea - nothing was ever found....... Tantalizingly,there is this in the 75 Squadron nominal roll........ ALLEN, F/Sgt William Morton, RAF. (540956), Pilot, 15 Oct 1943 to 14 Jan 1944. Died 14 January 1944, age 23. Lost without trace whilst flying a Hurricane aircraft of the Air Fighting Development Unit from RAF Mepal. Commemorated on Panel 215, Runnymede Memorial. who knows......... Simon |
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Jul 17, 2012 23:01:48 GMT 12
I spoke to Kevin King (Chairman 75(NZ) Association UK) last night. He confirms the crux of the story....
'Flt.Sgt. ALLEN, William Morton 540956 RAF.
14-1-44. Was under open arrest charged with low flying. A Hurricane that had been carrying out fighter affiliation with the squadron landed at Mepal and the pilot went to the mess for lunch. Allen then got in the Hurricane, stated it up and took off. I have heard stories that he did some aerobatics before flying off. He and the aircraft were never seen again. It was assumed he flew into the North Sea.
I talked with the late G/C Roy Max about this some years ago. He confirmed what I have told you. '
....so it looks like its all true....
Simon
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Post by oggie2620 on Jul 17, 2012 23:25:09 GMT 12
Hi Simon I was at the reunion too. Didnt get chance to speak to you. Are you coming in November?  |
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