Circus, Ramrods, Rhubarbs & Sweeps July 1941

[timothy]

Michal - thank you for that. Manak? Because one naturally fell into groups, as at school.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...RAF2/manak.jpg

(Sorry about Peter Brett's silly face!!)

And he flew as my No2 more often than any other. But Drbolav I flew with as well. Himr? A great chap!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../RAF2/himr.jpg

= Tim

[Franek Grabowski]

Tim
Here is the Patrol Report. I hope it is readable. If not, I can send you a better scan via email.
Do you remember the mission?

[timothy]

Just great. Lucky we all got back to the same base since we went to different places. In my book it was 6m north of Dunkerque!!

Quite a long trip - 1hr 40min. There were 4 Spits with us, I note, & although we saw 4 Bf109s that were reported to us, they didn't give us any sport. Another fruitless sortie!

[Fairlop]

Tim,

Have you got by chance pictures in your album which show some Hurricane of the 601 Sqn from port side as well as staboard please ?

Michal

[timothy]

Regret no.

[Fairlop]

Tim,

May I contact you off board because of Czechs please ? Or if you prefer send me an e-mail to fairlop AT quick.cz . Thank you.

Michal

[timothy]

Done!

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by timothy

Just great. Lucky we all got back to the same base since we went to different places. In my book it was 6m north of Dunkerque!!

Quite a long trip - 1hr 40min. There were 4 Spits with us, I note, & although we saw 4 Bf109s that were reported to us, they didn't give us any sport. Another fruitless sortie!

Tim
Was there anything special with the sortie? I am just wondering why this particular document survived.
By the way, do you have any more photos of the period?
Also, could you compare all three marks of Hurricanes (A, B, C) that you have had on the Squadron? I mean your comment from a pilot's perspective, what did you like and what did you not.
Best wishes

[timothy]

1. No, Franek - another uneventful rescue sortie. The large escorts were always laid on, or so I believe, to tempt 'them' into an engagement, but again, I believe, 'they' soon realised this & failed to comply. This was a longish trip because a second Lysander (dingy dropper) had to come out to replace the first.

2. No. Except a view of the millpond at the back of the 'mess' we had while at Matlaske - Itteringham Mill - a wonderful requisitioned property. We could fish for Trout for breakfast standing on the 'balcony' at the back.

3. No! At least not between the A & B. The C with 4 Cannon was a nice change - especially since we were, at that time, involved in 'Jim Crow' shipping strikes. The big thiing about firing Cannon was to preempt the nose dropping by easing back on the 'stick'.

= Tim

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by timothy

1. No, Franek - another uneventful rescue sortie. The large escorts were always laid on, or so I believe, to tempt 'them' into an engagement, but again, I believe, 'they' soon realised this & failed to comply. This was a longish trip because a second Lysander (dingy dropper) had to come out to replace the first.

Thanks. Well, I am amazed you remember so many details.

2. No. Except a view of the millpond at the back of the 'mess' we had while at Matlaske - Itteringham Mill - a wonderful requisitioned property. We could fish for Trout for breakfast standing on the 'balcony' at the back.

Nice accommodation. Well, I hoped that you will show us some more gems, but I see that I have to live with it. By the way, would it be possible to provide me with a better, bigger scan of the group photo?

3. No! At least not between the A & B. The C with 4 Cannon was a nice change - especially since we were, at that time, involved in 'Jim Crow' shipping strikes. The big thiing about firing Cannon was to preempt the nose dropping by easing back on the 'stick'.

Never heard of nose dropping in Mk IIC, so it is a very valuable observation. I understand that any differencies due to different armament weight and its distribution were not noticeable. I assume the Hurricanes flown in Russia had lower performance and were somewhat lazy due to tropical filters and soviet fuel, were not they? It is also interesting if Mk II varied from Mk I, apart of performance increase. I think due to a lengthened nose centre of gravity moved, so it could affect handling a little.
Thanks again