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Re: 'Bob' Braham's Beaufighter Mk VI
Hi Richard! Kind words yours. Glad to hear that the old eagle is still alive and happy to know about the forthcoming book. I and a great number of admirers will be waiting to read it...86 and still strong! Mamma mia! It is amazing and yes, you must be very proud of him. Our generation will not achieve 1/4 of what they did, not only on phisical aspects...I do remember Lewis Brandon, also a former RAF night-fighter navigator, who was still strong and fit at 90! I met here in Brazil Major Martin Drewes, former Luftwaffe night-fighter pilot who will be 89 this year! Still travelling a lot, strong, good memories, etc...
Well, letīs return to Beaus. You do have reason: The first Beaufighter, this one painted on the cover of the book "Scramble" does have "the harpoon" and the aerials under the wings. He is painted in BLACK, with RED disks around the engines. Codes RD * B also in RED.
The second Beau ( pictured in flight, inside the book ), is painted in GRAY with a MEDIUM GREEN and do possess a solid nose - it is much like a Mk XIX Mosquito or Beau Mk X nose. I do guess ( I am not so good on Beaus ) it is an early Mark VII or VIII radar. Or, perhaps you are right a SCR720. I do not remember when they became operational with the RAF, do you? The photograph is of very poor quality but the radar is all BLACK and the rest of the aircraft GRAY. The codes probably yellow or brown. It seems so...and there are no aerials on the wings. I guess it must be circa the end of 1942. They say only: Brahamīs Beaufighter in flight, 1942....
The book on your fatherīs achievements, deeds and hard times ( we all forgot the hard times, losses, grieves and suffering of that time ) will be must welcomed. As far as I know, there are only 3 books of memories writen by former RAF Night-Fighter Navigators:
1- Lewis Brandon, DSO, DFC*
2- W.C Rawsley, DSO, DFC*
3- Michael Allen, DFC**
It seems however that more will be coming soon by F/L Dennis Gosling, DFC a friend of mine who flew on Malta and UK.
Please inform us and the community when the book of your father will be available for purchasing, ok? I will be very pleased to acquire one and certainly will enjoy it fully, to the last words!
May you have a nice day/night and thank you again for your kind words and comments.
Sincerely and friendly yours
Adriano
PS: We will keep in touch, you must be sure!
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