WO F.D.C. Brown RNZAF,flying Spitfire PR IV

[DavidIsby]

Hilary St. George Sanders, The Fight is Won, p. 364. and Wing Commander H.L. Thompson, New Zealanders with the Royal Air Force, Wellington, 1959, Historical Publications Branch, p. 299 both have lengthy quotes from Warrant Officer F.D.C. Brown, RNZAF, who was flying a Spitfire PR IV in June 1943 when he had to penetrate a frontal system – the Spitfire lacked fuel to fly around or above: “For 20 minutes I was on instruments with flying conditions becoming rougher with the engine continually icing up and losing power, which could only be overcome by vigorous pumping on the throttle. The aircraft then struck a series of terrific bumps which sent the instruments haywire. I could see my artificial horizon up in the top corner of the dial while the turn and bank indicator appeared, as far as I could see, to be showing consitions of a spin. Deciding that I must be in a spin, I applied correction for it, but this was my last conscious thought.” Brown came-to falling through space, his Spitfire ripped into small pieces. After plummeting through the storm, he opened his parachute and survived.
This incident does not appear in Christopher Shores' Air War Over Burma.
Does anyone know the date of this incident? Browns' first name? Any other sources?
Thanks,
David Isby

[Revi16]

Does this help?

AB318 PRIV 2458 M45 FF 2-1-42 12MU 3-1-42 Benson 13-1-43 1OADU 27-2-43 India 1-4-43 Pilot thrown out of aircraft in turbulence Talliagi-Cha Burma 8-6-43

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p018.htm

[Andy Fletcher]

I don't know his forenames but his nickname was "Chota". The date of incident was 08 Jun 43 and he was flying Spitfire PR.IV (AB318; K). I believe he never flew operationally again due to back injury.

Errol Martyn on RAF Commands would most likely be able to provide you with more details. He is a member of this forum but an infrquent visitor here.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[wanganui]

If you've not already received a reply from Errol, i'd like to add that W/O Francis David Colin Brown NZ404330 wrote a book of his wartime experiences.
It was privately published in 2006 & called Free Fall Over India, isbn 0473108526
Hope this helps, Kerry.