[Allan125]

Hello Chris

Many thanks for your advice, nice to hear from the man who co-wrote the book(s) on 2TAF, and probably holds more information than most of us forumites combined!!

I knew that the squadron Form 541's were not available for April '45, but hadn't realised they were missing from much earlier than that.

I had previously advised Phil's family that I didn't hold out much hope of the Form 541 containing both the individual code and serial (we don't often get that lucky do we!!). However, are you able to supply the Form 540 record of how Phil Tripe's bale-out is recorded - no doubt the 125 Wing ORB record was a précis from that?

My reason for holding late April '45 was for my research with regard to the Spitfire XIV that featured in "Fighter Dig - Live" in May 2004, and trying to work out whether it was that of Murphy or Clay. We knew it wasn’t that of Carter as that crashed within British lines – and had also eliminated Guy de Patoul of 350 (Belgian) Squadron as the serial RM618 was found inside the cannon hatch of one found in a lake.

At least doing that research I confirmed the date that Ian Smith (former PM of Rhodesia) joined 130 squadron as 23 April.

cheers

Allan