Re: photo and what happened to Sgt
 

Hi all,

I am trying to locate a photo and information on a Spitfire pilot, all I know Sgt T. Hetherington trained at 58 OTU in 1943 when he was involved in a flying accident.

A photo of this pilot would be great! And his outcome, did he survive the war?

Thanks

Danny.

Re: photo and what happened to Sgt
 

Hello,

A "possibility" for your man:

1239658 Thomas "Tommy" HETHERINGTON (187935) RAFVR.

No.58 OTU incident:

Spitfire P8187 IIa CBAF MXII 45MU 14-3-41 266Sq 26-3-41 123Sq 20-9-41 58OTU 10-3-42 Undershot landing u/c torn off Balado Bridge 28-10-42 P/O AS Sworniowski (Polish) safe. Dived into sea [sic] Lake of Menteith nr Aberfoyle Perths CE 3-6-43 Sgt T Hetherington inj SOC 30-6-43 FH31:40.

See: http://www.airhistory.org.uk/spitfire/_prodn%20list.txt

I believe "Tommy" Hetherington went on to serve with No.129 Squadron RAF. There are several reels of Combat Camera Gun film at the IWM involving Hetherington.

Also:

On 1 September (1944), No.129's CO, former Malta ace Sqn Ldr Peter Thompson, flying Mustang III FB123/DV-H, shot down his second V1. Minutes later, squadron mate, W/O Tommy Hetherington claimed the unit's 66th, and last.

See:
V1 Flying Bomb Aces.(Osprey A/C of the Aces No.113).
Thomas,Andrew.
Botley: Osprey Publishing,2013.
p.71.

Hetherington had earlier (19 August, 1944), claimed another V-1.

"Tommy" Hetherington survived the war and was Mentioned in Despatches in the New Year's Honours List, in 1946. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...37407/page/103 (see also p.88)

Col.