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Aviation art prints of the Hawker
Typhoon by leading
aviation artists from around the world including Brian Robinson, Nicholas Trudgian,
Gerald Coulson and Frank Wootton.
Single engine fighter with a maximum
speed of 412 mph at 19,000 feet and a ceiling of 35,200 feet. range 510
miles. The Typhoon was armed with twelve browning .303inch machine
guns in the wings (MK1A) Four 20mm Hispano cannon in wings (MK!B) Two
1000ilb bombs or eight 3-inch rockets under wings.
The first proto type flew in February
1940, but due to production problems the first production model flew in
May 1941. with The Royal Air Force receiving their first aircraft in
September 1941. Due to accidents due to engine problems (Sabre engine) The
Hawker Typhoon started front line service in December 1941.The Hawker
Typhoon started life in the role of interceptor around the cost of England
but soon found its real role as a ground attack aircraft. especially with
its 20mm cannon and rockets. This role was proved during the
Normandy landings and the period after. The total number of Hawker
typhoons built was 3,330.
Aircraft History: First delivered
to 609 West Riding Squadron June 1942. It was the personal aircraft of
Squadron Leader Roland Beamont whilst he was the Commanding Officer at
609. His personal victory tally is shown in greater detail in the pencil
drawing. R7752 was damaged by enemy anti aircraft fire off Vissingen and
crash landed at RAF Manston on 1st June 1943. The pilot, Squadron Leader A
Ingle DFC, AFC, the Commanding officer of 609 at the time, was uninjured.
R7752 was struck off charge 25th August 1943.
609 Squadron came into being on the 10th February
1936 as part of the expanding Auxiliary Air Force. Initially a bomber
squadron equipped with Hawker Harts. On 8th December, 1938, the Squadron's
role was changed from bomber to fighter and the squadron took delivery of
its first Spitfires Mk I during August 1939. The squadrons first victory
was a Heinkel HE111 H-2 of 2/KG26 which was shot down near St. Abbs Head,
27th February 1940, by Flying Officer G. D. Ayre, Pilot Officer J R
Buchanan and Flying Officer D Persse-Joynt. 609 squadron was, it is said,
the first Spitfire Squadron to reach 100 victories (Ju88 A-5 1/KG51) on
21st October 1940. The victory was shared by Flight Lieutenant F J Howell
and Pilot Officer S J Hill. During April 1942, 609 began to replace its
Spitfires with Hawker Typhoons, and went on to become the first Typhoon
squadron with 227 victories. Based at many RAF Stations 609 was in action
throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain
and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd TAF. There were many
decorations awarded to squadron members, these included 3 DSOs, 22 DFCs
and Bars and 4 DFMs. On 16th December 1947, King George VI gave permission
for use of the Royal Prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. 609
Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded on 10th March 1957,
whilst equipped with Gloster Meteors F8 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire.
On 1st October, 1999, 609 (west Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air
Force, was re-formed at RAF Leeming operating in the guise of Air Defence
Support Squadron (ADSS).
Flight Lieutenant
James Kyle DFM James Kyle
joined the RAF in 1941 and trained as a pilot in Dallas, Texas, before
returning home to become a member of 197 Typhoon Fighter Squadron at Drem
upon its formation. In March 1943 the Squadron moved to Tangmere, and he
became one of a precious few survivors of a full tour of operations, being
awarded the DFM in 1944. He was demobilised in 1947 as a flight commander
with 80 Tempest Fighter Squadron in Germany. He spent some years away from
the service but the urge to fly never left and he rejoined the RAF in 1951
and became a Qualified Flying Instructor. He retired in 1974 after 30
years service see the print he has singed at www.military-art.com/mall/profiles.php?SigID=129 |
| Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib R7752 PR-G. by M A Kinnear.
Open edition print. Image size 16.5 inches x 11.5 inches (42cm x 30cm). Price £13.00 ITEM CODE AP0002 |
| Typhoon Attack by Robert Taylor. Sqd Ldr Beamont leads the Typhoons of no. 609 Squadron in an attack on heavily armed German shipping in the Channel. Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £250.00 Signed by Wing Commander Roland Bee Beamont CBE DSO DFC DL. ITEM CODE AX0004 |
| Typhoons on the Offensive by Richard Ward
Limited edition of 300 prints, with printed signature. Image size 8 inches x 5 inches (20cm x 13cm). Price £13.00 ITEM CODE B0089 |
| Taming the Tiger by Geoff Lea. Typhoons attacking German Armour Convoys in the Falais Gap, Normandy 1944. Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Image size 23 inches x 15 inches (58cm x 38cm). Price £95.00
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 23 inches x 15 inches (58cm x 38cm). Price £135.00 ITEM CODE DHM0402 |
| Operation Bodenplatte by Nicolas Trudgian. The success of Operation Bodenplatte, on January 1, 1945, was to be achieved by mass surprise attacks on British and American bases in France, Belgium and Holland. It was a battle fought at great cost to the Luftwaffe. During the battles some 300 Luftwaffe aircraft were lost. Though 200 Allied aircraft were destroyed, most on the ground, pilot losses were light. Nicolas Trudgians brilliant painting takes us right into the action above the Allied air base at Eindhoven. Me262 jets join a concentration of Me109s and Fw190s of JG-3 fighter wing, as they hurtle across the airfield in an assault that lasted 23 minutes, while Spitfires from 414 Sqn RCAF do their best to repel the attack. On the ground Typhoon fighters of 439 Sqn take a hammering. Limited edition of 800 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 23 inches (89cm x 58cm). Price £120.00 Signed by Leutnant Helmut Ballewski, Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberfeldwebel Werner Hohenberg, General Walter Krupinski.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 23 inches (89cm x 58cm). Price £170.00 Signed by Leutnant Helmut Ballewski, Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberfeldwebel Werner Hohenberg, General Walter Krupinski.
Limited edition of 50 publishers proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 23 inches (89cm x 58cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Leutnant Helmut Ballewski, Oberstleutnant Helmut Bennemann, Oberfeldwebel Werner Hohenberg, General Walter Krupinski. ITEM CODE DHM2028 |
| Typhoon Country by Nicolas Trudgian. A Typhoon of 181 Squadron flown by Flt Lt Roy Crane is shown attacking a German armoured column in th Falaise Gap in August 1944. Typhoons played a major role in destroying a large number of German armour and disrupting German movements during the battle of Falaise Gap. Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 18 inches x 13 inches (46cm x 33cm). Price £55.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane. ITEM CODE DHM2199 |
| Typhoons Over the Rhine by Nicolas Trudgian. Flying low level at high speed through intense ground fire was all part of the daily task of the pilots of the Typhoon ground attack squadrons. Armed with rockets, 1000lb bombs and four 20mm cannon, this formidable fighter played a leading role in the Allied advance through occupied Europe. Leading up to, and following the Normandy landings through to the end of hostilities, the Typhoon, flown by determined hard hitting pilots, became the scourge of the German Panzer Divisions, and wrought havoc with enemy road and rail communications. Targets along the Rhine, over one of Germanys arteries of supply and communication and last line of defence, were given special attention by the Typhoon squadrons. Barges carrying vital supplies, munition trains on railroads hugging the river bank, and the ever present movement of troops and armour toward the battlefront were constantly attacked from the air. Led by Squadron Leader B. G. Stapme Stapleton, Mk1B Typhoons of 247 Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force, based at Eindhoven in Holland, make a low-level attack on enemy river transport on the Rhine in November 1944. Twisting and turning to avoid ground fires as best they can, the Typhoon pilots power their way through the valley with cannons blazing, pressing home their attack by strafing every German military target in their path. The supply cargo aboard the freight train is unlikely to reach its destination today! Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm). Price £120.00 Signed by Air Commodore C D Kit North-Lewis and Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm)
. Price £190.00 Signed by
Air Commodore C D Kit North Lewis DSO DFC, Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC and Flight Lieutenant Basil Tatters Tatham.
Limited edition of publishers proofs. Image size 26 inches x 16 inches (66cm x 41cm). Price £180.00 Signed by Air Commodore C D Kit North Lewis DSO DFC, Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC and Flight Lieutenant Basil Tatters Tatham. ITEM CODE DHM2200 |
| Normandy Sunrise by Gerald Coulson. Here, in the brightening morning sky, Typhoons are prepared for the first sortie of the day. One has already fired up its big, powerful engine, blowing up whirlwinds of Normandy dust, ground crew hover, ready to remove chocks prior to taxi and take-off. A second is readied, while the remainder of the squadron, widely dispersed around the temporary field, are about to set about their deadly missions of the day. Limited edition of 300 prints, with three signatures. Image size 27 inches x 21 inches (69cm x 53cm). Price £165.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant James Kyle DFM, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram and Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs, with seven signatures. Image size 27 inches x 21 inches (69cm x 53cm). Price £295.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant James Kyle DFM, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC and Squadron Leader L F W Stark DFC* AFC C de G (Belg).
Limited edition of 200 prints, with seven signatures. Image size 27 inches x 21 inches (69cm x 53cm). Price £245.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant James Kyle DFM, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC and Squadron Leader L F W Stark DFC* AFC C de G (Belg).
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Image size 27 inches x 21 inches (69cm x 53cm). Price £495.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant James Kyle DFM, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC and Squadron Leader L F W Stark DFC* AFC C de G (Belg). ITEM CODE DHM2276 |
| Typhoons at Falaise by Nicolas Trudgian. It is August 1944, barely two months since the Allies landed their first troops on the beaches of Normandy. Already the German Panzer Divisions are in full retreat, and it is critical to halt them before they can regroup. Caught in the Gap at Falaise, the battle was to be decisive. Flying throughout a continuous onslaught, rocket-firing Typhoons kept up their attacks on the trapped armoured divisions from dawn to dusk. The effect was devastating: at the end of the ten day battle the 100,000 strong German force was decimated. Typhoons of 198 Squadron RAF, deliver their deadly rocket and cannon fire, a tank column has been brought to a standstill, their reign of terror now almost at its end. Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £130.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Flight Lieutenant John Golley, Flight Lieutenant Ron Grant, Flight Lieutenant Derek Lovell and Squadron Leader H G Pat Pattison, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £190.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Flight Lieutenant John Golley, Flight Lieutenant Ron Grant, Flight Lieutenant Derek Lovell and Squadron Leader H G Pat Pattison, in addition to the artist.
Limited edition of 125 publishers proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 24 inches (84cm x 61cm). Price £190.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Flight Lieutenant John Golley, Flight Lieutenant Ron Grant, Flight Lieutenant Derek Lovell and Squadron Leader H G Pat Pattison, in addition to the artist. ITEM CODE DHM2454 |
| Closing the Gap by Robert Taylor. As Typhoon Mk1b fighter-bombers of 247 Squadron exit the target area near Falaise at full throttle, the havoc wreaked in their wake bears witness to the devastation of their powerful rockets. Fuel and ammunition from the retreating German column explode with shattering detonations, the savagery of the attack demoralising the enemy into stunned oblivion. The Typhoons will hurtle back to base to re-arm and hastily re-fuel, ready for yet another withering strike on the encircled Wehrmacht columns. This stunning rendition from the the worlds premier aviation artist pays tribute to the brave young RAF fighter pilots of the twenty squadrons of rocket-firing Hawker Typhoons who flew those perilous ground attacks during the Battle of Normandy. Signed limited edition of 350 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC and Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln.
Typhoon edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC, Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen, Air Commodore C D Kit North Lewis DSO DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC and Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend.
Typhoon edition of 300 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm). Price £275.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC, Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen, Air Commodore C D Kit North Lewis DSO DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC and Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend.
Normandy Veterans edition of 95 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC, Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen, Air Commodore C D Kit North Lewis DSO DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend, Staff Sergeant Peter B Boyle, Staff Sergeant John Brown, Lance Corporal Alex Coventry, Lance Corporal Alex Dixon, Gunner Bill Grantham, Lance Corporal Ray Williams, Sergeant Titch Rayner, Driver Tom Sherbrook, Corporal Bob Weedon and Private Wally Menday.
Knights Cross edition of 15 prints. Paper size 35 inches x 25 inches (89cm x 64cm) Image size 28.5 inches x 17 inches (72cm x 43cm). Price £1895.00 Signed by Squadron Leader Percival H. Beake DFC, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC, Warrant Officer John Abe Lincoln, Flight Lieutenant Sir John Atkinson KCB DFC, Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen, Air Commodore C D Kit North Lewis DSO DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Squadron Leader Basil Stapleton DFC, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Pilot Officer Rusty Townsend, Staff Sergeant Peter B Boyle, Staff Sergeant John Brown, Lance Corporal Alex Coventry, Lance Corporal Alex Dixon, Gunner Bill Grantham, Lance Corporal Ray Williams, Sergeant Titch Rayner, Driver Tom Sherbrook, Corporal Bob Weedon, Private Wally Menday, Otto Carius, Gerhard Fischer, Walther Girg, Albert Kerscher, Norbert Kujacinski and Richard Rudolf. ITEM CODE DHM2711 |
| Typhoon Scramble by Stephen Brown. RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk IBs of 609 Squadron embark on a ground attack mission, head for targets in Northern France. Once initial problems with the tail section were resolved the Typhoon proved to be extremely rugged and reliable and was ideally suited to the ground attack role. Signed limited edition of 300 prints. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £95.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Derek Lovell, F/O Tony (Titch) Hallett DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram and Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £150.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Derek Lovell, F/O Tony (Titch) Hallett DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen, Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC, W/O Bill Macia, Flt/Lt L.S. Pip Phillips, Flight Lieutenant James Kyle DFM, Flt. Lt. David Ince DFC, Flt. Lt. Harry Prars D.F.C., Flt. Lt. George Wood, S/Ldr. Ronnie Sheward and Flt. Lt. John Shellard.
Limited edition of 25 remarques. Paper size 28 inches x 20 inches (71cm x 51cm). Price £320.00 Signed by Flight Lieutenant Derek Lovell, F/O Tony (Titch) Hallett DFC, Warrant Officer Douglas Oram, Flying Officer Frank Wheeler DFC, Flying Officer Kenneth Junior Kneen, Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Warrant Officer Jack Hodges DFC, W/O Bill Macia, Flt/Lt L.S. Pip Phillips, Flight Lieutenant James Kyle DFM, Flt. Lt. David Ince DFC, Flt. Lt. Harry Prars D.F.C., Flt. Lt. George Wood, S/Ldr. Ronnie Sheward and Flt. Lt. John Shellard. ITEM CODE DHM2717 |
| Striking Back by Gerald Coulson. Conceived initially by Hawkers (of Hurricane fame) as a fast powerful fighter, the Typhoons performance in this role proved to be disappointing in the respect of rate of climb, and at height. They did however eventually come into their own as a superlative very fast ground attack aircraft, and combined with the skill of their pilots became one of the most potent weapons of World War Two. This painting conveys something of the drama of a pair of typhoons at take-off, each loaded with two 1000lb bombs. Normandy dust contributes to the backdrop. Signed limited edition of 650 prints. Image size 23 inches x 18 inches (58cm x 43cm). Price £135.00 Signed by Squadron Leader L F W Stark DFC* AFC C de G (Belg) and Wing Commander Roland Bee Beamont CBE DSO DFC DL. ITEM CODE GC0316 |
| Hawker Typhoon Squadron by Frank Wootton.
Signed limited edition of 850 prints. Image size 16 inches x 24 inches (41cm x 61cm). Price £130.00 ITEM CODE LI0033 |
| Rocket Firing Typhoons at the Falaise Gap - Normandy 1944 by Frank Wootton.
Limited edition of 850 prints, Image size 17 inches x 24.5 inches (43cm x 22cm). Price £140.00 Signed by nine pilots : Group Captain Charles Green DSO, DFC, Air Commodore W Bill Pitt-Brown DFC, Air Commodore C D Kit North-Lewis DSO, DFD, Air Commodore J W Forst CBE, DFC, DL, Squadron Leader Percy H Beake DFC, Squadron Leader Geoff Murphy, Flight Lieutenant Roy Crane, Flight Lieutenant George Sheppard, Flight Lieutenant Ken Adam OBE, Flight Lieutenant Ramsay Milne. ITEM CODE LI0041 |
| Hawker Typhoons by Barry Price.
Open edition print. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £13.00 ITEM CODE NTR0019 |
| In Peaceful Skies (Hawker Typhoon) by Brian Robinson.
Open edition print. Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm). Price £13.00 ITEM CODE NTR0037 |
| The Dreaded Salvo by Robin Smith. Hawker Typhoon of 181 Sqdn, 2nd tactical airforce. The Dreaded Salvo was painted to celebrate the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Preparing the ground for the eventual D-Day landings,aircraft including the Hawker Typhoon were given the freedom to scour areas for evidence of enemy activity and neutralise there effect employing the terrifying power of the eight underwing rockets. Turning a massive 14 diameter 4 bladed prop. the Napier Sabre engine was huge, but unfortunately suffered mechanical problems that blighted its early acceptance. Limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 24 inches x 18 inches (61cm x 46cm). Price £105.00 Signed by 2 ex-Typhoon pilots, Pip Phillips and Ken Scott. ITEM CODE RS0007 |
| Typhoon Season by Ivan berryman
Typhoon IB's of No. 181 Squadron attack German supply vessel
off the coast of Northern France during the run up to D-day in 1944
using cannon and 60il rockets. this unique aircrafts amazing speed at
low level and awesome fire-power proved formidable and, after a shaky
start to its service career, proved itself beyond all doubt to be an
essential tool in the softening-up operations against germane defenses. prior
to allied invasion in June 1944.
Serial number IV1 image size 17" x10" price £65 SOLD OUT.
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| Aircraft side view by M A Kinnear
Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib R7752 PR-G.
Aircraft History: First delivered
to 609 West Riding Squadron June 1942. It was the personal aircraft of
Squadron Leader Roland Beamont whilst he was the Commanding Officer at
609. His personal victory tally is shown in greater detail in the pencil
drawing. R7752 was damaged by enemy anti aircraft fire off Vissingen and
crash landed at RAF Manston on 1st June 1943. The pilot, Squadron Leader A
Ingle DFC, AFC, the Commanding officer of 609 at the time, was uninjured.
R7752 was struck off charge 25th August 1943.
Wing Commander Roland P Beamont, CBE,
DSO and bar, DFC (USA), DL: Born 10th August 1920, Roland
Beamont joined No. 87 squadron in France during November 1939. Returning
to England 20th May 1940 (having destroyed a Do17 and an ME109) he went on
to destroy a further three enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. In
June 1941, he was posted to No.79 Squadron as Flight Commander. In
December 1941 he went to Hawker Aircraft Ltd as a Service test pilot
flying Hurricanes. On 29th June 1942, he was posted as Flight Commander to
Hawker Typhoon equipped 609 Squadron at Duxford, and took command of the
squadron in October. He returned to Hawker Aircraft during May 1943, to
test fly the Tempest. In February 1944, he was tasked with forming the
first Tempest Wing, No.150 at Castle Camps and later Newchurch. When
leader of the five squadron Tempest Wing No.122 over Germany on 12th
October 1944, Roland Beamont was shot down by ground fire and became a
POW.
During his time with No.150 and No.122
Wings he destroyed one Bf109, one Fw190, one Ju188 on the ground, and
thirty two V1 flying bombs. After the war Roland Beamont became Chief Test
Pilot for English Electric, test flying the Canberra, P1, Lightning and
TSR2 aircraft. He was the first British pilot to fly a British aircraft at
Mach 1 in level flight, and later Mach 2. After serving as Director of
Flight Operations for the Tornado test programme he retired and became a
respected author. |
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609 (West Riding) Squadron Royal
Auxiliary Air Force: 609 Squadron came into being on the 10th February
1936 as part of the expanding Auxiliary Air Force. Initially a bomber
squadron equipped with Hawker Harts. On 8th December, 1938, the Squadron's
role was changed from bomber to fighter and the squadron took delivery of
its first Spitfires Mk I during August 1939. The squadrons first victory
was a Heinkel HE111 H-2 of 2/KG26 which was shot down near St. Abbs Head,
27th February 1940, by Flying Officer G. D. Ayre, Pilot Officer J R
Buchanan and Flying Officer D Persse-Joynt. 609 squadron was, it is said,
the first Spitfire Squadron to reach 100 victories (Ju88 A-5 1/KG51) on
21st October 1940. The victory was shared by Flight Lieutenant F J Howell
and Pilot Officer S J Hill. During April 1942, 609 began to replace its
Spitfires with Hawker Typhoons, and went on to become the first Typhoon
squadron with 227 victories. Based at many RAF Stations 609 was in action
throughout WWII, covering the Dunkirk evacuation, the Battle of Britain
and supporting the D-Day landings as part of the 2nd TAF. There were many
decorations awarded to squadron members, these included 3 DSOs, 22 DFCs
and Bars and 4 DFMs. On 16th December 1947, King George VI gave permission
for use of the Royal Prefix for all Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons. 609
Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded on 10th March 1957,
whilst equipped with Gloster Meteors F8 at RAF Church Fenton, Yorkshire.
On 1st October, 1999, 609 (west Riding) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air
Force, was re-formed at RAF Leeming operating in the guise of | |
