Flt Lt Richard Playne Stevens - Nightfighter Ace

[Bombphoon]

Hi chaps

Does anyone know if there is a published history/info on the largely forgotten RAF nightfighter ace Richard Playne Stevens of 151 Sqn?

Merry Xmas

Austin

[Andy Saunders]

No, but a friend of mine, Terry Thompson, has been working on one for many years and has a vast amount of detail.

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,
there was a pretty good two part article on him in Flypast a few years ago

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[rpeck350]

Any one have a photo or information on his planes that he used?
Thanks Rick

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Rick,
the articles in Flypast have two photo's of Stevens, a colour profile of his Hurricane ( DZ-F , Serial V6934 with a red ? on the front cowling and 5 red swastika's under the cockpit ) also a photo of Steven's crashed Hurricane.
Cheers
Bruce Lander

[Andy Saunders]

There was also some very elaborate nose-art on the cowling, depicting a very large dragon.

[rpeck350]

Thank you guys.Any idea which issues?
Will look for them thats for sure.
Rick

[steve.b]

rpeck 350,

I've just stumbled across the "12 o'clock high" website so forgive me if I'm a bit late with this info but the articles on Stevens in Flypast are entitled "The Eagle of Wittering"; issues, Sept 1996 and Dec 1996. I haven't come across any book specifically written about Stevens but he features in several books I have including Johnnie Johnsons "Wing Leader", Eric Kenningtons "Drawing the R.A.F", and I'm sure he is referred to in two others I have but can't put to hand at the moment; "Night Fighter-Fighter Pilots" by CF Rawnsley/R. Wright and "Through the Eyes of the Worlds Fighter Aces" by R. Jackson. Hope this is of use to you.

Steve

[rpeck350]

Thank you Steve.
Will look for those Issues.

Regards
Rick

[Bombphoon]

Hi Steve

Thanks for that info

Much appreciated

Austin