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Re: 130 (Punjab) Squadron – S/Ldr P V K Tripe
Allan, I regret I do not have copies of 130's ORB, only notes I made before digital cameras were welcome at Kew. I must say 130's ORB left me with a lot of problems - eg. the date Tripe was shot down conflicted with other sources (14th in the F.540). The only note I have was that he was hit by flak, caught fire and baled out near base.
One consolation was that the ORB (or appendices thereto) have Forms OR101 for up to January 1945 (I believe they were discontinued after that as Jan 45 is always the last in any unit record that has them). These forms listed in tabular form daily changes in aircraft on charge eg. reporting aircraft received, damaged or lost (with reasons categorised). The bad news is that you'll ne looking at microfilm copies of bromide copies reduced from the originals ... No codes or pilots mentioned though.
Just in case it is relevant - Vol.4 due out next month has an errata re 130 Sqn - namely the serial of AP-S in the photo on p.298 in Vol.2 - said to be RM655, it now appears it was RM693 (having been recoded with AP when taken over as MN-S from 350 Sqn. There's a thought - if Tripe flew an ex-350 machine there's a fair chance it carried its original code letter - and 350's codes are quite well documented. Better than nothing ...
Liked that snippet about Ian Smith. I'd always seen him credited with being a Spitfire pilot but never found his unit. I wonder if 130 was his first operational posting? I've a feeling someone out there knows ...
Chris
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