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Old 31st October 2009, 16:15
Birgir Thorisson Birgir Thorisson is offline
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Brooke-Popham statement.

Does anyone know the context of a statement attributed to Brooke-Popham, C.in Ch. Far East.

I have seen two versions of the alleged comment, by Brooke-Popham regarding the Brewster Buffalo being good enough for the Far East. First version puts it in 1940, in the context of a policy decision of what fighter plane should be used in the Far East. (here he speaks of Super-Spitfires, and Hyper-Hurricanes.)
The second version attributes it to a press statement, just before the start of hostilities, with the intention of boosting morale. Here he is supposed of having referred to super-Spitfires, and hyper-Tornados.

Somehow, the Tornado reference seems so far-fetched, that it has to be true, because who would have thought about making it up?

Does anyone know for sure which version is correct, or is this just an urban myth, to emhphasize the complacency and unpreparedness of the British in Singapore?
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