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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 15, 2020 13:29:49 GMT 12
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Post by harrysone on Sept 15, 2020 18:28:57 GMT 12
Unreal! I can distinctly remember the 40th anniversary, even bought a commemorative Airfix Spitfire Mk1a at the time...seems like yesterday!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 15, 2020 18:31:12 GMT 12
Might be time to buy another kit?
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Post by harrysone on Sept 15, 2020 18:32:47 GMT 12
ahahaha...done that, the new model is good! Although I think the BOB movie might come out tonight in celebration
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Post by nuuumannn on Sept 16, 2020 5:09:28 GMT 12
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Post by nuuumannn on Sept 16, 2020 5:36:14 GMT 12
Some relevant airfields. Memorial outside the former RAF Hawkinge, Kent. 2307 Hawkinge memorial The base of a hangar at Hawkinge. 2307 Hawkinge hangar door rails Hawkinge watch office, now on the grounds of the infamously unphotographable Hawkinge Battle of Britain Museum. Note the Hurricane replicas. 2307 Hawkinge watch office The Jackdaw pub, where Hawkinge aircrew frequented, but made famous during a particular scene in the feature film Battle of Britain. 2307 Kent The JackdawAlthough a little late in proceedings, this Fi 103 replica is on display outside the entrance to the RAF Manston History Museum, which is contained within airfield buildings. Note the old control tower in the background. 2307 RAF Manston History Museum Fi 103 Admin buildings of the former RAF Eastchurch, now serving as HM Prison on the Isle of Sheppey. Note the airfield defences. 2107 Isle of Sheppey Eastchurch airfield remains During the battle, Eastchurch came under concentrated attack by Dornier Do 17s and this building still bears scars from a strafing run. 2107 Isle of Sheppey Eastchurch Station wall The former watch tower at what used to be RAF Westhampnett. It now serves as a cafe on the side of the track at Goodwood. 2806 Westhampnett Tower The derelict watch tower at the former RAF Tangmere. 2907 Tangmere tower Looking toward where the aircraft hangars were located at Tangmere from the airfield perimeter track. The tower is out of the picture to the right. 2907 Tangmere airfieldNo caption required... 2906 Biggin Hill Blue plaque Entry gates to the former RAF Biggin Hill. 2907 RAF Biggin Hill Iconic terminal at Croydon. 2907 Croydon Tower Spitfire-on-a-stick outside the terminal at the former RAF Turnhouse, Edinburgh Airport, is a Mk.IX, but is in the markings of Spitfire Mk.Ia L1067 'Blue Peter' of Sqn Ldr George Denholm, 603 Sqn Auxiliary Air Force. 2007 603 Sqn Spitfire RAF Bentley Priory now serves as private accommodation and is in a gated community. Hugh Dowding's office has been preserved and is the third window on the right of the three larger windows to the left of the columned balcony. 1707 Bentley Priory front Hurricane-on-a-stick outside Bentley Priory is in the markings of Hurricane Mk.I P2921 of Flt Lt Pete Brothers of 32 Sqn. 1707 Bentley Priory Hurricane Spitfire-on-a-stick outside Bentley Priory is in the markings of Sgt Cyril Bamberger of 610 Sqn. 1707 Bentley Priory Spitfire
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Post by davidd on Sept 16, 2020 8:52:04 GMT 12
Great photos there Grant. David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2020 9:37:03 GMT 12
Super photos, thanks Grant!
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Post by nuuumannn on Sept 16, 2020 14:39:50 GMT 12
Thanks guys. These were all taken during my UK trip in 2018. I drove 1,800 miles in three different hire cars!
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Sept 16, 2020 21:03:46 GMT 12
...impressive
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Post by flyinkiwi on Sept 17, 2020 9:55:34 GMT 12
Just because you cannot take photos at Hawkinge doesn't mean you shouldn't visit. The collection there really is first rate!
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Post by nuuumannn on Sept 22, 2020 14:15:51 GMT 12
Just because you cannot take photos at Hawkinge doesn't mean you shouldn't visit. The collection there really is first rate! Yes it is, I've been there before.
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Post by Calum on Sept 22, 2020 15:11:39 GMT 12
Great photos
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 22, 2020 15:56:26 GMT 12
Does anyone recognise the pilots? The photo comes from Dereck "Bill" Kain's collection, and it was labelled simply as 'Battle of Britain Pilots'. Bill Kain is second from right in the back row. ACM Sir Keith Park is seated in the centre. Does anyone know who the others were? I have a hunch that this photo was taken at the premiere of the 1969 film Battle of Britain, probably in Wellington, so they are likely all Kiwis. Bill himself was a Flight Commander with No. 73 Squadron through the whole Phoney War and Battle of France, but he became ill just before he was evacuated back to Britain, and he was in hospital and then recuperating during the Battle of Britain. He returned to operations soon after the battle. So he is not counted as one of The Few.
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Post by shorty on Sept 22, 2020 15:57:43 GMT 12
Noticed on the film clip of Sir Keith Park shown on TV 1 News last night that they had reversed the film and had him wearing his wings and medal ribbons on his right hand chest! (Unless it was something to do with being from "down under" and doing things the other way round )
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Post by davidd on Sept 22, 2020 19:09:23 GMT 12
Could be wrong, but I can see only one ribbon for the NZ War Service Medal on the chests of the men in the above photo (bottom left). Of course if most of the rest were all pre-war Short Service Commission chaps, that would explain such a lack, whether they trained in NZ or otherwise. David D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 22, 2020 19:59:43 GMT 12
I posted the photo and same message on my Facebook page and now know some more names:
Back row: __________: Colin Gray: Bill Kain: Maurice Kinder Front row: _________: Keith Park: _________
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Post by planecrazy on Sept 22, 2020 20:18:26 GMT 12
Great pic's nuuumannn that Capel le Ferne memorial is a special place with a real atmosphere. Have found myself telling a few people about the Battle of Britain, we are indebted to the few, how different our world would have been if England had been invaded!
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Post by McFly on Sept 22, 2020 20:29:07 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 22, 2020 20:35:08 GMT 12
Bloody hell, I had forgotten that I'd posted it already. But we're still no further forward with naming the other three..
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