FrontlineAntiques Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Evening chaps Today i was given 13rounds and part of a section of chain/belt from a Spitfire that crashed in 1941 in Lock Doon, Dunfries and Galloway (Photos to follow). The Spitfire crashed in the Loch on 25th October 1941. It was a Spitfire Mark IIA registered No P7540 and was part of Ayr Squadron. The Spitfire had been piloted by a young Czechoslovakian on his first solo flight. This is the only information i have thus far. Does anyone know anymore? Dan
FrontlineAntiques Posted November 26, 2009 Author Posted November 26, 2009 Info on its recovery here http://www.dumfries-divers.com/spitfire/spit1.htm
Colin Davie Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Interesting stuff, anyone know what the badge is on his right chest pocket, looks like a pilot badge? C
FrontlineAntiques Posted November 26, 2009 Author Posted November 26, 2009 Interesting stuff, anyone know what the badge is on his right chest pocket, looks like a pilot badge? C Super fast reply there Colin! Where did that picture come from? It does look like a pilots badge. Can you post a close up? Thanks, Dan
Colin Davie Posted November 29, 2009 Posted November 29, 2009 Super fast reply there Colin! Where did that picture come from? It does look like a pilots badge. Can you post a close up? Thanks, Dan Hey Dan it came from the link you posted click on "Photos of the Spitfire today", then it's about 6 other "Next" pics along. C
FrontlineAntiques Posted November 29, 2009 Author Posted November 29, 2009 Hey Dan it came from the link you posted click on "Photos of the Spitfire today", then it's about 6 other "Next" pics along. C Must have missed that one! I'm not at home right now, but will post photos as soon as I can. Dan
Taz Posted December 18, 2009 Posted December 18, 2009 Evening chaps Today i was given 13rounds and part of a section of chain/belt from a Spitfire that crashed in 1941 in Lock Doon, Dunfries and Galloway (Photos to follow). The Spitfire crashed in the Loch on 25th October 1941. It was a Spitfire Mark IIA registered No P7540 and was part of Ayr Squadron. The Spitfire had been piloted by a young Czechoslovakian on his first solo flight. This is the only information i have thus far. Does anyone know anymore? Dan Spitfire P7540 Loch Doon Spitfire MK IIA P7540 of 312 Czech Squadron EAF was lost on October 25, 1941, when it crashed into Loch Doon. The aircraft was on a training flight from RAF Ayr and flying low over the water of the loch when the pilot is reported to have banked the aircraft with the result that the wing tip contacted the surface of the loch, catching the aircraft and causing it to crash. The RAF searched the loch, but no trace was found of the pilot or his aircraft. The aircraft was being flown by F/O František Hekl, (age unknown), RAFVR. F/O Hekl's name is engraved on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 30. His body was never recovered from the loch. Little more info for you Dan, Regards Eddie
FrontlineAntiques Posted December 18, 2009 Author Posted December 18, 2009 Thanks Eddie Much appreciated! Dan
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 21, 2010 Author Posted October 21, 2010 And finally, nearly 10 months to the day are the photos!
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 21, 2010 Author Posted October 21, 2010 on the belt each link is marked with the following BP B1 I cant get a photo unfortunately. Any ideas what this is in regards to?
Chris Boonzaier Posted October 21, 2010 Posted October 21, 2010 You would think a Scottish Spitfire would be the rarest of the rare.... "Ye kannae crash yer bluidy Spitfire Laddie! They cost MONEY!" :whistle:
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 23, 2010 Author Posted October 23, 2010 (edited) You would think a Scottish Spitfire would be the rarest of the rare.... "Ye kannae crash yer bluidy Spitfire Laddie! They cost MONEY!" Hahaha - its a good point Chris! However, to be fair to our sporran-wearing neighbours, it was a very generous Scotsman that gave me the rounds in the first place..... Edited October 23, 2010 by FrontlineAntiques
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 23, 2010 Author Posted October 23, 2010 And here we have an example of a Czech pilots badge. Really lovely peices and incredibly rare. This is a pre war Slovakian made example. If any one has any Czech RAF items I would be very interested in seeing them. Dan
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 23, 2010 Author Posted October 23, 2010 Just fund Hekl's service number of the CWGC website - 87619 Hopefully this will help me find some more information on this chap.
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 23, 2010 Author Posted October 23, 2010 No. 312 Squadron. Aircraft: Hurricane Mk.1 Motto: Non multi sed multa - 'Not many but much' Badge: A stork volant. The stork in the badge relates to the French 'Escadrille des Cygelines' with whom the original pilots of No 312 had flown prior to coming to the UK.
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 23, 2010 Author Posted October 23, 2010 No 312 Squadron was formed at Duxford on 29 August 1940 with Czechoslovak personnel as a fighter unit. Equipped originally with Hurricanes and later Spitfires, it was sent to Speke to defend Merseyside.
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 23, 2010 Author Posted October 23, 2010 Spitfire P7540 Loch Doon The aircraft was being flown by F/O František Hekl, (age unknown), RAFVR. F/O Hekl's name is engraved on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 30. His body was never recovered from the loch. Hekl's date of birth was January 24, 1915, making him just 26 when he was killed.
Taz Posted October 24, 2010 Posted October 24, 2010 (edited) I wonder if this book would help any further with your research? 312 Czechoslovak Squadron1940-1945 Hurricane, Spitfire. byToma Polak Publisher: Philedition Published: 15 August 2008 ISBN-10: 2952638152 ISBN-13: 978-2952638159 Format: 96p, 24.2 cm by 16.6cm Cover: Paperback Language: English Price: £15.99 Regards Eddie Edited October 24, 2010 by Taz
Taz Posted October 24, 2010 Posted October 24, 2010 Hekl's date of birth was January 24, 1915, making him just 26 when he was killed. HEKL František, F/O, Pilot, 310 Sqd – † 25/10/41, aged 26, Missing after training flight in Spitfire DU-W. P7540.
FrontlineAntiques Posted October 27, 2010 Author Posted October 27, 2010 Thanks Taz! Just on the look out for a czech pilots badge now.... :whistle:
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