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Post by longforgan on Apr 7, 2013 22:26:42 GMT 12
well Dave that has been a big stuff up in the spelling sorry
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Post by pjw4118 on Apr 8, 2013 8:52:59 GMT 12
Don, the aircraft and date is around , I just have to locate it!
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waynem
Pilot Officer
Posts: 46
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Post by waynem on Apr 8, 2013 17:13:28 GMT 12
Hi all, The details of the Stirling with the damaged rear turret are; 26 April 1943. Target: Duisburg. Stirling Mk.III BF517, captained by P/O Buck, was attacked by an unseen fighter when about 30 miles north of the target. The rudder and tail of the aircraft was damaged, and the rear gunner was mortally wounded. The fighter was evaded and by jettisoning all moveable objects height was maintained and the aircraft returned to base where a perfect crash landing was made. Besides the rear gunner who lost his life, minor injuries were also recieved by two other members of the crew. Cheers, Wayne.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 8, 2013 17:56:11 GMT 12
Thanks Wayne, so its not my one, but no doubt it looked pretty similar.
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Apr 8, 2013 19:22:38 GMT 12
Don Apologies for not replying regarding Kevin's mail address - I was away this weekend, but cheers to Chris for passing it on. There are some fantastic images going up - some which I have never seen before and the a/c list from Peter is fascinating - maybe it will plug some holes in the database that Ian, Chris and I are trying to put together for 75(NZ).
Simon
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 8, 2013 20:44:54 GMT 12
No worries Simon. I must say how impressed I am with your website. It is a great resource. Thanks for making the effort.
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Apr 9, 2013 5:17:15 GMT 12
Don Many thanks for the kind words regarding the website - it's exceeded all of my expectations - it was originally going to just be a 'stop gap' till I had time to sit down and do a proper website - which given the way it has grown, is pushing the 'proper' site further back.
I think what has humbled me the most is the utter generosity of relatives regarding what they have been so willing to share - it seems the site has struck a real chord with people and people seem genuinely interested in what I am trying to do. Whats also nice is that by posing stories from people, I have been able to connect people - usually relatives of crew men who have passed away, but in the odd instance surviving veterans - this was something I hadn't even thought about!
As an aside, regarding the fantastic photo of AA-U 'Alexanders Ragtime Boys' - which is a picture and piece of nose art I was unaware of - the flags behind the NZ flag are (obviously) a Union Jack, but the other one is the American flag - Allan's Rear Gunner, Armstrong 'Doc' Lyon was originally from Pennsylvania, but enlisted in Montreal in 1941. He completed a second tour with 214 Squadron, being awarded the DFC in Feb 45 and being credited with the destruction/ damage of 4 enemy aircraft.
Simon
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 9, 2013 7:16:34 GMT 12
Is that Mickey Mouse above the bombs on 'Alexander's Ragtime Boys'?
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Post by fwx on Apr 9, 2013 8:51:35 GMT 12
Looks like Mickey to me, plus two dancing stick-figures waving boater hats, either side of the Alexander's Ragtime Boys banner?
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Post by suthg on Apr 9, 2013 10:12:13 GMT 12
I think that underneath the NZ National flag is the Union Jack on the left and a flag from Louisiana or something on the right??
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Apr 9, 2013 10:47:15 GMT 12
I wonder if they are halo's, not hats ??
I still reckon it's the Stars and Stripes for 'Doc' Lyon
S
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Post by pjw4118 on Apr 9, 2013 11:31:06 GMT 12
Waynem , the 75 ORBs confirm it was Peter Bucks aircraft, he received an immediate DFC. Don the two Stirling Cracker shots are on NZBCA files from Graham Burgess on 7 Squadron. With AA U , its Alexanders Rag Time Crew not Boys , sorry my mistake. I will organize a better photo. Allans Chiefy was a sign writer and did the painting in correct colours , a Stars n stripes, union Jack and NZ flag. The letters on the scroll were all different fonts and colours. A pair of Saints hold the banner . Allen told me he took over Dick Frenchs near new Mk111 when his tour expired and painted it up then.His crew included five Kiwis , Allan as pilot,Des Andersen Nav, Phil Pullyn BA, Tom Mayhew W/op, and Bill McDonald RG ( KAO France 1944).F/E was Frank Howard UK and M/U gunner American Doc Lyon who had enlisted through the RCAF
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Apr 9, 2013 17:40:13 GMT 12
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Post by oggie2620 on Apr 10, 2013 2:37:21 GMT 12
I have sent Don copies of 3 pics I found in Michael Bowyers The Stirling Story. Unfortunately they are all ground based but at least will give him some ideas. One is from tail end and the other from the front. Will keep looking for other pics for him but I have to go through about 5 boxes (dont have room for a book case in my small space!)... Dee
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Post by longforgan on Apr 14, 2013 13:10:32 GMT 12
progress on the sterling painting
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 14, 2013 13:42:18 GMT 12
Looking great Don.
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Post by longforgan on Apr 18, 2013 15:06:54 GMT 12
fine detailing to go
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Post by kiwijohn on May 23, 2013 19:06:17 GMT 12
Greetings. Allan Alexander's Stirling AA-U had a crest with the title "Alexander's Ragtime Crew" (not "Boys"). The flags are the NZ flag (front) with UK and Louisiana flags behind representing where crew members came from. Allan's Mid Upper gunner was Doc Lyon, an American. Mac MacDonald, an Englishman, was Allan's usual rear gunner. The crest also has two haloed stick figures, one either side of it. The little figure above the ops bombs is Mickey Mouse. A wider view of this picture also shows a swastika beside the front turret representing an Me 109 shot down by F/Sgt Scott on 14 July 43 on a trip to Aachen. More success was achieved as MacDonald and Lyon shared a Me110 24 August on a trip to Berlin. On 1 Sept 43 Lyon destroyed a Me109 and MacDonald damaged another. Quite a feat for the crew of AA-U.
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hamish
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by hamish on May 23, 2013 19:55:17 GMT 12
Hello kiwijohn. In a moment of pure kismet, I have, this week, undertaken to do some research for the daughter of Armstrong "Doc" Lyon who lives here in Adelaide. Looks like I struck the motherlode here. Can you direct me to specific photos of"AA-U"? Was that the designation for both the Stirling and the Lancaster? If not, which were which? I would deeply appreciate any assistance you can give. Pamela Lyon thinks her father got a DFC and Bar. Doc survived the war and went on to be something big in the USAAF. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 23, 2013 20:07:10 GMT 12
Hi Kiwijohn, some great detailed info there on the nose art. Do you happen to have any detailed, sharp photos of that nose art? I'd love to get a copy please.
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